Summary Of William Ecenbarger A Cultural Minefield

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William Ecenbarger’s “A Cultural Minefield” is an essay about respect in different cultures. He commits faux pas as he travels throughout different countries. A faux pas is doing something embarrassing in a social situation. As he has traveled around the world, he has learned minor actions can have a major impact. He explains how a gesture in one culture can be normal and respectful, while in another culture, the same action can deeply offend people. People that travel to other countries may not have malicious intent but can still come off as rude. Simple actions such as reaching for bread with your left hand or signaling that you are okay are primarily unconscious acts-- they come off as second nature to Americans. However, while abroad, one

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