Cultural Sensitivities

I was speaking to a Kiwi teacher earlier and I asked about cultural dos and dont's associated with the Maori.

Dont

The head is seen as sacred, the backside is "unclean" (the nearest translation).

So:

Sit on a pillow. Scatter Cushions are OK but pillows for sleeping on is a huge no-no.

Sit on any table. Food goes on table and to put your rear end on the table "pollutes" the table. I can see the reason for this and it seems to make sense.

Beckon a child with a finger. This is a deadly insult as you are beckoning as you would a dog.

With some of the Pasifika cultures the hair is seen as sacred so never touch a childs head, especially the hair.


Do:

Take your shoes off when you enter someone elses house.

Get advice from the Maori culture teacher in the school as to the local peculiarities.


This post will be added to if and when I find out more information.