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While flying over the stunning hues of blue and green to Réunion, I discovered something remarkable: a collection of islands, including Réunion, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, and the Comoros, all within just 1-2 hours of each other. Together, they are known as Les Îles Vanille, or the Vanilla Islands. After island hopping, I felt truly enveloped in the luxurious scents of fragrant spices like vanilla bean, ylang-ylang, cinnamon bark, frangipani, nutmeg, and cloves. Réunion, a small island in the Indian Ocean, was once called Bourbon Island. Portuguese sailors first discovered it in the early 16th century, but the French established a lasting presence in the 17th century. The island’s fertile volcanic soil and favourable climate made it an ideal location for sugarcane plantations. Réunion's diverse population is the result of centuries of immigration. In addition to enslaved Africans, people from Madagascar, India, and China arrived to work on the plantations. This colonial history has shaped Réunion's unique identity and traditions. In 1974, it became a French department, granting its residents the same rights and privileges as those in mainland France. Today, the island has become a home for those seeking a literal "sea-change," as well as a hub for the airline industry and a base for training French armed forces. So, what did I learn about the etiquette of the people in Réunion? I found that long-standing citizens tend to follow mainland French customs socially, professionally, and when dining. Meanwhile, newer citizens—those from Mayotte, Comoros, or Madagascar—often use a mix of their native customs and French etiquette when interacting with the broader population. Greetings are a cornerstone of French culture, reflecting the country's emphasis on politeness and respect. Here's a guide to navigating the intricacies of French greetings: Handshakes
 La Bise
Saying Hello Geographical differences: Reunion lives a mixture of cultures from Indian, Chinese to those from the Les Îles Vanille will use the ‘metropole’ or mainland language of French. However, greetings will change when they communicate to their own community.
Respectful Address
As a French overseas department, Réunion enjoys political stability and modern infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for both tourism and business. Its strategic location in the Indian Ocean has also made it a key hub for regional travel and a base for French military operations. Today, Réunion continues to thrive as a vibrant and multicultural island, balancing tradition with modernity. Article Published By: Etiquipedia.blogspot.com
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 When people hear the name of Fiji, images are conjured in their minds of an exotic and colorful tropical island. The images one conjures up are quite justifiable, as what you are thinking of is what you will get. Fiji is very close to Australia, taking only 4-5 hours from the east coast. When you land, you are met by happy faces, men and women in their traditional clothing, flowers gently tucked between the ear and hair. The smell of seawater fills the air, while the sun warms your skin. Fiji, which resides in the Melanesian region, is an archipelago of more than 300 islands. The official languages spoken are Fijian, English, and Fiji Hindi. It has had quite a history. Europeans made contact with Fiji in 1643; later on, it was discovered that Fiji had ideal conditions for growing cotton, which was useful as the American Civil War had cut off the supply to the international market. From 1878, indentured laborers were brought from islands around Fiji and India to cultivate the sugarcane crops. Greeting Etiquette in Fiji When you walk from the plane into the airport, one word you will see written is ‘Bula’, which means hello or welcome. In urban areas, you will perform the western type greeting with a handshake or a quick wave with an introduction. Those who are native Fijian men will also gently shake and take their time when doing it. Those who are of Indian origin will use the traditional ‘Namaste’ with pressed prayer hands. Native Fijian women will greet each other differently, they could use the air kiss, while pressing cheek to cheek. However, it becomes different if there is deep respect between the two women, where one will put their nose next to the other person’s cheek and nose, then breathe in. An Indian woman may use the pressed prayer hands or lean into a hug or both. If a younger generation wants to display respect to the older generation, then a nod with a greeting or introduction will be used. In rural areas, communities are close and when walking by, an acknowledgement must be used. When greeting Westerners, the Fijians can be quite shy, men may extend their hand to shake, women, instead of body contact, they will use their native greetings. Fijian View of Time When on the mainland, I couldn’t believe how proud the Fijians were when it came to interpreting time…There was a saying, ‘Fiji Time!’. It wasn’t until I travelled around the islands that I completely understood ‘Fiji Time’. They are not only shy people at times also very relaxed. Their sense of time is fluid, they believe things happen when they happen. Conversely, those that are Indo-Fijian are more on par with Western timing and the emphasis is on punctuality.  Dining Traditional Style in Fiji
From 1830 onwards, missionaries came in from proselytising in Tonga and Tahiti, to Fiji and converted natives. Due to this, many, before meals are eaten, will pray or bless the meal. You will be sitting on mats and cross-legged while eating your meal. Eating is done together and no one will be left alone eating by themselves. Today, families will have spoons, forks and knives, however, it is very common to eat with your fingers. Talking, laughing while eating is encouraged, being loud and rowdy is frowned upon. If you are in rural areas is best to be dressed appropriately, where shoulders and knees are covered for women. Please note that there is a distinction between resorts and travelling openly. Whilst traveling from Suva to Nadi, I had the wonderful privilege eating sparkling fresh local produce and mouthwatering curries. Fiji – A Destination Holiday I am fairly certain that Fiji is on many people's list of places to travel to, and it was on mine. It is everything that glossy magazines display and more. It not only offers crystal blue lagoons and snorkeling, viewing the most brightly colored coral reefs and tropical fish, but it is also a place to soak in native traditions, enjoy kind and relaxed hospitality, and an opportunity to learn about exotic foods and meet those whose generations call Fiji their home. Article Published By: Etiquipedia.blogspot.com  I grew up with my nose buried in Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven, and later devoured every page of Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew mysteries. Those stories ignited my passion for solving mysteries and unravelling intrigue. As a teenager, my imagination was set ablaze by the cinematic magic of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark—a whirlwind of treasure-hunting adventures spanning South America to the Middle East. So, when the opportunity to visit Peru arose, I didn’t just say yes—I was all in. The Backstory of Peru Archaeologists have discovered that Peru’s rich history spans thousands of years over 15,000 years, beginning with the ancient Norte Chico civilization to the Moche, Nazca, and Chavín, then to the Inca Empire in the 15th century. The Spanish conquest in 1532, led by Francisco Pizarro, toppling and plundering the Incas, led to the colonization of the region and a fusion of Spanish and indigenous cultures. Peru gained independence in 1821, driven by revolutionary leaders like José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar. Today, it reflects a mixture of ancient sites, colonial architecture, diverse cultures and many languages. What Not To Say or Do with Peruvians When interacting with Peruvians, it's important to be mindful of certain cultural sensitivities, such as:
 Social and Greeting Etiquette
Peruvians place great importance on introductions and greetings. Common greeting phrases include “buenos días” -good morning, “buenas tardes” - good afternoon and “buenas noches” for good evening. The greeting is done by a firm handshake and eye contact, while professionals are addressed by their titles, especially in formal settings or when meeting someone for the first time. This is a way to acknowledge and welcome individuals into a home or business. Among friends and family, the “abrazo” or embrace, is common, consisting of a handshake and hug between men or a hug and kiss on the right cheek between women. Men often add a pat on the back when greeting close friends or family. Addressing people is also culturally significant. Friends often use first names or nicknames. Older individuals are typically addressed as “Señor” or “Señora” followed by their surname, or more informally as “Don” or “Doña” with their first name. Explore Peruvian Dining Etiquette The traditional cuisine of Peru is deeply embedded in the nation's cultural and culinary heritage. Iconic dishes include ceviche, and fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice and served with sweet potatoes and corn, which are best eaten fresh with a fork to combine the flavours. Popular street foods like anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) are eaten straight off the stick with lime and spicy sauce, while hearty Andean dishes like pachamanca are earth-cooked meals of marinated meats and vegetables, enjoyed family-style, and fingers can be used to eat this amazing meal. Peruvians enjoy a variety of meats that may be considered exotic elsewhere, which I did try whilst travelling through Peru. Cuy (guinea pig), a traditional Andean delicacy, are often roasted or fried and has a tender, gamey flavour, which I really enjoyed. Alpaca and llama meat, both lean and protein-rich, are common in the Andes, with alpaca offering a mild, slightly sweet taste and llama resembling lamb or venison. I found the meat to be quite fatty, which makes sense given that these animals spend much of their time in cold environments, requiring extra fat for insulation. Reflecting on my journey through Peru, I couldn’t help but feel like I was channelling Indiana Jones himself. As Indy once said, “It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage,” and my time in Peru added miles of unforgettable experiences to my life’s map. Peru’s treasures—its culture, cuisine, and people—proved to be as priceless as any artifact Indy might have sought. It was an adventure that deepened my appreciation for this remarkable country. Article Published By: Etiquipedia.blogspot.com |
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July 2026
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