Remember how your parents used to tell you to keep your elbows off the table during meals? Or that it’s rude to slurp your soup? Well there’s good news guys, these American cultures and customs don’t always translate to other countries! While the local people you meet won’t expect you to be fluent in their language, culture and customs, it is important to familiarize yourself with them.

Do you know how kissing, snoring and other things sound in other languages? That’s right, even sound effects can be translated!

The most important thing to remember while you’re abroad is that things will be different. But, different doesn’t mean wrong. Be open, be curious, and read more about the culture you will be stepping into. Get excited about LIVING the life you’ve only dreamt and read about until now!

Omani people, for the most part, are very welcoming and interested in foreigners. In fact, if you ask for directions, you might get invited home to meet the rest of the family! Omani people are also respectful and there are many old traditions and customs that have a big impact on everyday live. This is especially true of the more rural parts of the country, but can certainly be felt in Muscat and other cities.

Many foreigners live in Muscat, working in a variety of trades and coming from different backgrounds, but the majority of them are from other Middle Eastern and Asian countries.

For more information on the people in Oman and the local customs and culture, we recommend the following websites:

• Lonely Planet – for history and background
• Culture Crossing Newsletter – for do’s and don’ts in the culture
• CIA World Factbook – for numbers and statistics on demographics and other info