1. In Scotland, New Year's Eve is traditionally celebrated with "first footing," or visiting friends and family. True or false: To bring luck, the first guest to cross your threshold should be a woman with red hair.
2. The African-American festival known as Kwanzaa lasts for seven days. At what time of year is the holiday celebrated?

   A. Between December 1 and December 15

   B. Between Christmas and New Year's Day

   C. Between January 1 and January 15

3. The Twelfth Day after Christmas is significant for many Christians because:

   A. It is the day the Magi visited Jesus.

   B. It is the feast of Epiphany.

   C. Both

4. Christmas is an important holiday to Catholics in the Philippines. True or false: Filipino children often celebrate the holiday by constructing Christmas lanterns out of bamboo and tissue paper.
5. This year, the Jewish festival Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 23. How many days does Hanukkah last?

   A. Six

   B. Seven

   C. Eight

6. The Spirit of Christmas is personified in many forms. True or false: The Dutch version, Sinterklaas, is a saintly bishop who arrives on horseback after a sea journey from Spain.
7. Many island nations observe Boxing Day on December 26. True or false: Boxing Day commemorates pugilists.
8. The Hindu festival of Deepavali commemorates the return of the deity Lord Rama to his throne. This tradition is also known as:

   A. The Festival of Lights

   B. The Full Moon Festival

   C. The Harvest Festival

9. Christmas is not an official national holiday in Taiwan. True or false: There is no holiday celebrated on December 25 in Taiwan.
10. Christmas carols are sung throughout the world. In the 1970s, Puerto Rican native José Feliciano recorded what is now a Christmas staple. This song was:

    A. "Dreidel, Dreidel"

    B. "Feliz Navidad"
    C. "Blue Christmas"

Answers

1. False. A man with dark hair is considered most auspicious.
2. B. This nondenominational festival begins on December 26.
3. C.
4. True. These lanterns are known as parols. There are competitions for finely crafted lanterns made by adults.
5. C. One candle is added to the branched menorah each night.
6. True. And rather than Mrs. Claus, he is accompanied by Zwarte Piet, his Moorish servant.
7. False. Boxing Day is named for the former English custom of giving gift boxes to employees and tradespeople.
8. A. As part of this festival, Hindus place lights outside their homes.
9. False. Taiwan's Constitution Day is celebrated on December 26.
10. B.

1. Some say that Argentina has two national anthems -- the official hymn and the tango. True or false: The best bandoneóns (tango accordions) are made in Germany.
2. Technically speaking, a tenor has to be able to sing a two-octave range from approximately B-flat to B-flat. Match these tenor arias with their operas.

   A. "Nessun dorma"	1. Carmen
   B. "Flower Song"	2. Lohengrin
   C. "In Fernem Land"	3. Turandot
   D. "Il mio tesoro"	4. Don Giovanni

3. True or false: Scottish bagpipes were once quite popular in much of Europe.
4. When the Portuguese introduced an instrument called the braginha to Hawaii, the Hawaiians adopted it and called it the ukulele. The word ukulele is Hawaiian for:

   A. Four strings

   B. Tiny guitar

   C. Jumping flea

5. P.T. Barnum billed a famous soprano who toured the United States in the 1800s as "The Swedish Nightingale." Her real name (short version) was:

   A. Annie Oakley

   B. Jenny Lind

   C. Helga Pfeffernusse

6. True or false: Brazilians can lay claim to the most widely played of all guitar concertos, Concierto d'Aranjuez, by Joaquín Rodrigo.
7. St. Gregory the Great was pope from 590-604. True or false: His accomplishments included systematizing the monodic liturgical plainsong of the Roman Catholic Church, also called "chant."
8. Many Caribbean music styles are fusions of African and European sounds. Musical Mensas will be able to match the styles of music with their various homes.

   A. Zouk	1. Puerto Rico
   B. Merengue	2. Jamaica
   C. Plena	3. Dominican Republic
   D. Calypso	4. Martinique
   E. Reggae	5. Trinidad

9. According to many archaeologists, Australian Aboriginal culture has been traced back 50,000 years, which makes it the world's oldest civilization. Its most well-known instrument is made from a eucalyptus limb that has been hollowed out by termites, and often is beautifully carved. This instrument is called a:

   A. Bilma

   B. Lali

   C. Didgeridoo

10. Da-da-da-dum! Of course you recognize the first four notes from Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. There is another Beethoven symphony that contains a brilliant, and exceedingly popular, movement. True or false: "Ode to Joy" is the last movement in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Answers

1. True. Around 1860, this box-shaped button accordion was invented in Germany so that musicians could play hymns in churches without organs. The bandoneón has more than seventy buttons!
2. A, 3; B, 1; C, 2; D, 4
3. True
4. C
5. B. Jenny Lind, or Johanna Maria Lind-Goldschmidt, was born in Sweden. She was a coloratura soprano.
6. False. Señor Rodrigo was Spanish.
7. True. And he would no doubt be pleased to see the resurgence in the popularity of Gregorian chants 1,300 years later! The musical Benedictine monks of the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos have produced a best-selling recording called Chant, which has sold millions of copies.
8. A, 4; B, 3; C, 1; D, 5; E, 2
9. C. The didgeridoo (a k a didjeridu, yidaki, yiraki, magu, kanbi, or ihambilbilg) was originally only played by select Aboriginal men. It is blown in a circular manner, and emanates a variety of haunting tones.
10. True. There are four movements in a symphony, and "Ode to Joy" was the last one, a choral movement. Beethoven composed and conducted it when he was totally deaf.

1. The first European king to reign in the Americas was:

   A. Larry King

   B. John, ruler of the Empire of Brazil

   C. Maximilian, ruler of the Empire of Mexico

   D. Armand Assante, the Mambo King (cha-cha-cha!)

2. Today, the Caribbean is host to a thriving tourist industry. Who was the first US president to visit a Caribbean island? (It was the island of Barbados.)

   A. George Washington

   B. Millard Fillmore

   C. Teddy Roosevelt

   D. Herbert Hoover

3. Any group of rebels can declare independence, but that declaration isn't much good until another country recognizes the rebels as independent. True or false: The first country to recognize the United States as an independent nation was the United Kingdom.
4. True or false: Enslaved people have often revolted against their masters, but the first slave revolt to take over an entire nation was in Haiti in 1804.
5. Match the earliest known indigenous inhabitants with their countries.

   A. New Zealand	1. Borinquénos
   B. Peru	2. Maori
   C. Puerto Rico	3. Guaraní
   D. Paraguay	4. Incas
   E. South Africa	5. !Kung (Bushmen)

6. True or false: Scotland's independence was won by Robert the Bruce in 1628.
7. Despite their proximity and small size, Belgium and the Netherlands are quite distinct countries. But it wasn't always this way. True or false: The Netherlands successfully revolted against Belgian rule in 1830.
8. Ireland and England have been feuding for centuries. Not all of these conflicts have erupted on Irish or English soil. In what country did the Fenian Revolt take place?

   A. Canada

   B. Wales

   C. Australia

   D. Scotland

9. And now for something completely different: The island of Curaçao produces a unique liqueur of the same name. Curaçao's flavor is derived from:

   A. Apricots

   B. Mangoes

   C. Oranges

   D. Papaws

10. Firearms are hard to come by today in Japan, but they used to be even more scarce. True or false: Japan conducted the world's first (and only) total ban on guns.

Answers

1. B. In 1807, after Napoleon I invaded Portugal, the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil, where the Portuguese Empire was ruled from 1808 to 1821.
2. A. George Washington visited in 1751 with his older half-brother, Lawrence.
3. False. France was the first to recognize the new nation on December 17, 1777.
4. True. Haiti is the only country where former slaves have taken over the reigns of government.
5. A, 2; B, 4; C, 1; D, 3; E, 5
6. False. The Battle of Bannockburn was fought in 1314, and was the deciding battle for Scotland's independence. The Treaty of Northampton was signed by King Edward II in 1328. Robert the Bruce died the following year.
7. False. Belgium broke away from the Netherlands in 1830.
8. A. In 1866, several thousand Irish veterans of the US Civil War invaded Canada and held the nation for ransom to force Britain to give Ireland its independence. This ill-conceived Fenian Revolt ended with relatively few casualties.
9. C. These unique Curaçao oranges also provide flavoring to Triple Sec, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier.
10. True. The Portuguese brought guns to Japan in the 1500s, but the weapons were eventually considered to be incompatible with samurai honor and were banned for almost two centuries.

1. A distinguished Hispanic executive hands you a business card that looks like this: Miguel Eduardo Cela y Banderas. You should call him:

   A. Señor Eduardo

   B. Señor Cela

   C. Señor Banderas

   D. Señor y

2. The current ruler of Saudi Arabia is King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud. What was his father's name?

   A. Fahd

   B. Bin

   C. Abdul Aziz

3. True or false: The king is addressed as "King Fahd."
4. You are introduced to a French executive who states his name as "Robert, Pierre." What do you do?

   A. Apologize for not speaking French, and ask him if his last name is Robert or Pierre.

   B. State your last name.

   C. Avoid the firm US-style grip when you shake hands.

   D. All of the above.

5. Your friend, a Russian Jew named Fyodor Nikolaievich Medvedev, follows many Russian traditions. The polite but informal way you address him is:

   A. Fyodor Medvedev

   B. Teddy

   C. Fyodor Nikolaievich

6. Match the correct formal and informal forms of the pronoun "you" with their languages:

   A. Spanish	1. "Sie" and "Du"
   B. French	2. "Ud." and "Tú"
   C. German	3. "Vous" and "Tú"

7. You are about to give a speech in Germany. Dr. Hans Schmidt, the moderator, is a personal friend. Before you launch into your presentation, you say:

   A. "Thank you, Hans, for that complimentary introduction."

   B. "Thank you, Herr Doktor Schmidt, for that kind introduction."

   C. "Thank you, Herr Schmidt, for that complimentary introduction."

   D. "Thanks, Schmitty!"

8. Many Hong Kong Chinese have relocated to Western Canada, Australia, and other countries because Hong Kong will no longer be a British Crown Colony after 1997. True or false: There are only approximately 400 different Chinese surnames.
9. Chang Wu Jiang, president of a Hong Kong multinational, meets you in Vancouver, his new headquarters. You know that Chinese names include a family name, a generational name, and a given name. So you say, "It is a great pleasure to meet you, President Chang." He reacts by:

   A. Nodding and extending his hand.

   B. Applauding your phenomenal knowledge of Chinese name order.

   C. Grimacing and directing his assistants to show you the door.

10. Americans are always asking total strangers to use their first names or nicknames. For example, during the 1992 presidential campaign, the winning party used this ditty urging voters to feel comfortable with the vice-presidential candidate:

    A. "You Can Call Me Al"

    B. "Danny Boy"

    C. "My Boy Bill"

Answers

1. B. Many Hispanics have two surnames: one from their father, which comes first, followed by one from their mother. Sometimes the two surnames are separated by "y," which means "and" in Spanish. Miguel Eduardo Cela y Banderas' father was Señor Cela, so that's what you call him.
2. C. There are many parts of the world where your paternal line is incorporated into your name. In this case, "bin Abdul Aziz" is a patronymic (a name derived from the first name of one's father) meaning "son of Abdul Aziz."
3. True
4. D.
5. C. Among themselves, Russians often address each other by their first names and patronymic. Thus, Fyodor Nikolaievich Medvedev's first name is Fyodor (a Russian version of Theodore), his last name is Medvedev, and his middle name means "son of Nikolai."
6. A, 2; B, 3; C, 1
7. B. Formality rules in German business settings. Never call Hans by his first name at work.
8. True. However, when these 400 surnames, or clan names, are translated into English, there are several possible variations. For example, Wong, Wang, and Huang are all English versions of the same Chinese clan name.
9. A.
10. A.

1. True or false: The term haute couture was coined in 1947, after several large fashion design houses were established in Paris.
2. Paris was not always the center of fashion. What city was considered the fashion capital during the early to high Renaissance?

   A. London

   B. Brussels, Belgium

   C. Florence, Italy

3. A blanket cape, worn for centuries in Latin America, was the inspiration for a US military waterproof outer garment. True or false: This cape is called a parka.
4. Match the following garments with their countries of origin.

   1. Bolero	A. South Africa
   2. Cowichan sweater	B. Spain
   3. Bush jacket	C. Canada

5. True or false: Kimonos are generally wrapped right-over-left on corpses.
6. In the 1960s and 1970s, certain trousers, originally worn by cowboys in Argentina, were fashionable in the United States. What were they called?

   A. Bermuda shorts

   B. Gaucho pants

   C. Culottes

7. True or false: Mackintosh rain gear, kilts, Inverness capes, and tam-o'-shanters were all given to us by the English
8. Match the following countries with the garments associated with them.

   1. Germany	A. Serdak (camisole)
   2. Northern Ireland	B. Homburg (hat)
   3. Poland	C. Ulster (coat)

9. Amelia Bloomer was the namesake for bloomers, and Giuseppe Garibaldi was the inspiration for the garibaldi shirt. True or false: The cardigan sweater was named after James Brudenell.
10. A surcoat was a loose, lightweight garment meant to be worn over armor during the Crusades. Why was it invented?

    A. To keep the crusaders warm.

    B. To protect their armor from the blazing Middle Eastern sun

    C. To help the Crusaders identify each other during battles

Answers

1. False. The "New Look" was introduced by Christian Dior in 1947. The term haute couture dates back to 1908.
2. C
3. False. The cape is a poncho; a parka is a coat.
4. 1, B; 2, C; 3, A
5. True. If you wear a kimono, wrap it left-over-right.
6. B
7. False. Scotland is the origin of those garments.
8. 1, B; 2, C; 3, A
9. True. James Brudenell was the Earl of Cardigan.
10. B. The hot sun on a suit of armor could cook a Crusader.

1. "You're never fully dressed without a smile" is a familiar phrase in the United States. True or false: A smile is a universal expression of genuine pleasure.
2. Japan is a high context culture, where small gestures convey great meaning. Which is an appropriate behavior in Japan?

   A. Covering your mouth when you laugh

   B. Winking to convey agreement

   C. Speaking in a loud, forceful voice

3. True or false: Never keep your left hand in your pocket while shaking hands with your right in Germany.
4. Spitting is grotesque in many places, but is actually against the law in which country?

   A. St. Thomas

   B. St. Martin

   C. Singapore

5. You are the sole passenger on a bus in Bahrain. A man enters, and chooses the seat next to you. True or false: He intends to start a conversation with you.
6. You are greeting a new associate in France. As you firmly grasp his hand, heartily pumping it up and down, he looks a bit bemused. This is because:

   A. He's relieved you didn't kiss him.

   B. The French handshake is more of a handclasp, with no pumping action.

   C. He wishes you had kissed him.

7. In the United States, men sometimes slap each other on the back, backside, arms, or shoulders. True or false: This is totally acceptable in the Netherlands.
8. True or false: Before female executives travel to Brazil, they should be certain their nails are well-manicured.
9. You feel good after your big sales call in Stockholm, Sweden. It's a surprise to you, then, when they don't accept the deal. This could be because during the meeting, you:

   A. Leaned backward in your chair and crossed your arms

   B. Rested your ankle on your knee the whole time

   C. Laughed loudly

   D. All of the above

10. True or false: Snapping your hand downward is used to emphasize a point in Spain.

Answers

1. False. In much of Asia, a smile can be used to cover up embarrassment, shock, or fury.
2. A. One is not supposed to display the inside of one's mouth in Japan.
3. True. Don't even talk to someone with your hands in your pockets in Germany!
4. C. Singapore also prohibits chewing gum, jay-walking, and smoking in public places.
5. False. Solitude feels unnatural in many parts of the Middle East. Complete strangers often unconsciously sit close to each other.
6. B. The French don't strongly grip each other's hands, nor do they "shake" them up and down so much.
7. False. Dutch men are formal, and usually don't demonstrate their feelings with exuberant slapping gestures.
8. True. Manicured fingernails are an integral part of a woman's professional image in Brazil.
9. D. Informal body language and raucous laughter don't impress the Swedes.
10. True. Snapping the hand downward is a very common gesture in much of Latin America.

1. At the most exclusive restaurant in Caracas, you need a well-placed table to impress your new client. Like the song says, "You can't always get what you want ..." unless you tip the:

   A. Sommelier

   B. Maitre d'

   C. Waiter

2. Marshmallows, corn on the cob, grits, pumpkin pie, crawfish, hot dogs.
   True or false: Most Europeans love the aforementioned US munchies.
3. US executives often think they have no food taboos; however, in consideration of delicate US sensibilities, an entree was removed from the menus of Korean restaurants during the 1988 Olympics. What was it?

   A. Snake

   B. Dog

   C. Horse

4. In what order do the seven courses in a Parisian restaurant arrive?

   A. Soup, salad, meat or fowl, sorbet, fish, dessert, coffee

   B. Soup, fish, sorbet, meat or fowl, salad, dessert, coffee

5. Hosts and honored guests are often expected to offer toasts.  Be ready with a few short comments: thank everyone, compliment the food, and express your hopes for future gatherings together.  Then raise your glass, and give the local term for "Cheers!"  Match the toast below with the country.

   A. Germany	1. Slainte
   B. Japan	2. Prosit
   C. Ireland	3. Kampai

6. True or false: Dinner reservations in Spain are generally for 8 p.m.
7. Your final interview in Milan is conducted over lunch. As sophisticated as you are, you commit a few dining faux pas. Which of the following is not an error in etiquette?

   A. Leaving a trail of lipstick on the crystal

   B. Leaning your utensils off the edge of the plate, onto the table

   C. Cutting your pasta with your knife
   D. Folding your salad with your knife, instead of cutting it

8. In Guatemala, you may be offered a drink with a legend attached: In order to seduce a pretty harpist, a demon pricked his finger and mixed a drop of blood with sugar-cane liquor. True or false: The drink is called boj.
9. Match the taste treat with its country.

   A. Kidney pie	1. Mexico
   B. Haggis (sheep entrails)	2. Oman
   C. Grasshoppers	3. England
   D. Sheep's eyes	4. Scotland

10. True or false: Saudi Arabians don't eat lobsters.

• Bonus question. True or false: You should never cut the point off brie cheese.

Answers

1. B. The maitre d' supervises all the floor service; surreptitiously slipping him US$20 may get you a good table.
2. False. Europeans generally think those foods are revolting.
3. B. Dog is considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia.
4. B. Now your challenge is to use the correct utensils!
5. A, 2; B, 3; C, 1
6. False. Make your reservations for 10 p.m.
7. D
8. True. When tipsy Guatemalans have a fight, it is often blamed on the "blood of the devil" from the boj.
9. A, 3; B, 4; C, 1; D, 2
10. True -- and False!   While some Muslims enjoy eating lobster, prawns, and crabs, some orthodox schools of Islam are instructed by their religious leaders not to eat crustaceans. The explanation that we have received can range from the fact that lobster do not have scales or spines (backbones) – to their scavenger nature. That would mean that lobster, crabs, and prawns are Haraam for some Muslims.

• Bonus Question: True.
  You never cut the tip off Brie cheese because you would be taking the largest portion of the center part of the cheese. That means that other diners end up with more of the rind. If you cut slender, "pie shaped" segments of the cheese, everyone gets to have a balanced amount of cheese and rind.

or
"Good luck befriend thee" - Milton

1. Many people believe in carrying a talisman for good luck: a lucky penny, a rabbit's foot, etc. True or false: It is a German custom to carry a large scale from the head of a carp eaten on Christmas Eve.
2. Preventing the malocchio (evil eye or evil spell) in Italy can involve many rituals. All of the following precautions are said to be surefire, except one!

   A. Wearing a "horn" charm

   B. Tying a red ribbon on your baby's carriage

   C. Sprinkling pepper on your head

   D. Wearing a number 13 pendant

3. The "luck of the Irish" is loaded with charms. True or false: "Kissing the Blarney Stone" at the famous castle in County Cork is said to bring you wealth.
4. Feng Shui is a combination of Chinese mystical beliefs, astrology, and folklore. In Taipei, Taiwan, many corporate headquarters incorporate Feng Shui features to generate auspicious flows of Chi. Which of these is an inauspicious structure?

   A. Square pillars

   B. Revolving doors

   C. Rounded corners

5. Brazilians often give little children a figa charm to protect them against bad spirits. True or false: The lucky figa is a clenched hand with the thumb sticking up between the index and second fingers.
6. Many Pennsylvania Dutch (including the Amish) observe different means of preserving good fortune. Which of these does not invoke good luck?

   A. Hex signs

   B. Entering and exiting buildings through the same door

   C. Eating salt

7. True or false: Singaporeans consider an overabundance of plants and trees bad luck.
8. At 12:01 a.m. on New Year's Day, one British tradition holds that the first person you want to cross your threshold is:

   A. A lady in red

   B. A dark, handsome man carrying coal

   C. A stranger with a big stick

9. Mexicans sometimes keep little elephant statues to preserve their homes' good fortune. True or false: To work, the pachyderm's trunk must curve upward.
10. Which of the following geometric symbols is not considered auspicious in much of Asia?

    A. A circle

    B. A square

    C. A triangle

Answers

1. True. The clean, dried Christmas Carp scale is considered blessed by the Christ Child.
2. C. Aaaa-chooo!
3. False. Kissing the Blarney Stone gives you "the Gift of the Gab," which the Irish so desperately need.
4. A. Sharp edges represent poison arrows which can cause ill fortune.
5. True. But be careful, the figa is considered obscene in other countries.
6. C.
7. False. Singapore, "Asia's Garden City" uses plants to soften sharp edges on roads and buildings, and introduce Yin elements to Yang structures.
8. B. The man with coal is thought to bring good luck, while the woman in red (or a redhead) brings bad luck.
9. True. If the trunk is curved down all the good luck "runs out."
10. C.

1. True or false: Nine Men's Morris is an English version of a medieval game and is mentioned in the works of Shakespeare.
2. Match each of the following games with their area of origin.

   A. Pente	1. Canada
   B. Tablero de Jesus	2. Greece
   C. Trivial Pursuit	3. Spain

3. Kriegspiel began as a complex game of military strategy in Germany. Which of the following is correct about the modern, chess-based version of Kriegspiel?

   A. It is played with three chessboards.

   B. It requires two players and an umpire.

   C. The two players do not see their opponent's chesspieces.

   D. All of the above

4. The game LAP was invented by Polish game expert Lech Pijanowski. True or false: The word LAP is Polish for "extremely difficult pastime."
5. In the 19th century, Faro (or Pharaoh) was one of the most popular card games in the US and Europe. Faro's origins are obscure, but in which country was it given its name?

   A. France

   B. Italy

   C. The Netherlands

6. Mancala is often called "the national game of Africa." True or false: Mancala dates back at least 3,000 years.
7. Bezique is a card game which is considered a forerunner of Pinochle. Bezique's invention is credited to a schoolmaster by the name of Gustav Flaker. Which country was he from?

   A. Belgium

   B. Scotland

   C. Sweden

8. True or false: The Asian game known as Shogi is often referred to as "Japanese chess."
9. Which of the following games is not believed to have been invented in China?

   A. Go

   B. Mah Jong

   C. Othello

10. Bridge is one of the world's most popular card games. True or false: The first recognized world championship contract bridge match was held in Bermuda in 1950.

Answers

1. True, in A Midsummer Night's Dream
2. A,2; B,3; C,1
3. D.
4. False. The name LAP came from the inventor's initials.
5. A. In the court of Louis XIV, to be exact.
6. True. Mancala boards have been found in ancient Egyptian temples.
7. C. The name of the game is French, but the inventor was a Swede.
8. True
9. C. The game marketed in the US and Europe as "Othello" was invented in Japan.
10. True. This contest is still called the Bermuda Cup.