Ex: Did you know vehicles are not allowed to cross the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day 6 am to noon.
As small as a sliver is, the irksome little irritant, pain can explode with a single touch. So also is the incorrect portrayal of a cultural detail. Readers will notice!!
We don't have to visit the setting used in our book, but it helps. If you can't go to the location, there are other ways to ensure the culture is properly represented. And this is
SOOOOOO crucial to keep readers reading the story!
Take for example the book I am reading. I won't mention the title, but it was chosen because I happen to be in a beautiful rut reading tons of books with Parisian settings, watching movies filmed in Paris, and studying French, I've visited Paris--spent weeks in France, and okay, you get the drift. As a result, I've picked up a lot of Parisian culture, knowing which is true and which isn't when reading stories.
The error was simple. One cannot hail a taxi in Paris. Note that. American's and other foreigners who step into the street, wave their hand from the sidewalk, or whistle for a cab can get fined. There are posted stops for taxis. People wait in line to hire one.
Cultures around the world have their own idiosyncrasies. Locals are offended when a tourist violates their ways. For example:
Drive on the left side of the road in England. You knew that one, right?
Switzerland vendors really don't like to accept Euros. It is an insult to try to pay with one. Get a handful of Franks ahead of time. It's a when in Rome kinda thing.
Air conditioning is rarely used and frowned upon, even on a scorching hot and humid day in Germany-a cost saving courtesy. Don't ask, don't expect.
Walk, use a scooter, take a bus, but don't drive in Lucern. If you dare, traffic fines are based on a percentage of your income to discourage personal vehicles. Pricey! (Even elderly walk the hilly streets. Lucern photo by Mary Vee pictured left)
Mountain folk are different than city folk. Obvious, but what all does this mean?
Taking a subway has many safety rules. A rural person like me finds all the noise, the signs, the people, the quick shutting doors, the pushing, shoving, and rush scary--because we are afraid we will miss our stop and often do.
Fine dining (Versailles photo by Mary Vee, pictured left) and down-home on the farm dining are night and day by comparison.
Fires burn differently given the setting. Ask a local. One book I read had a wildfire spread incorrectly. How did I know? I'd lived there for a few years.
So, how can we know if we've offended a reader who has lived in or has visited a culture used in our book's setting?
1. If at all possible, visit the chosen setting for your book. Spend at least a day to get the vibe. The benefits will outweigh the cost.
2. Use YouTube to gather basic info.
For example, I had a character shop in Bloomingdales. I have visited New York City, but I could never afford to walk across the threshold of a real Bloomingdales much less buy a small trinket there. SO, I watched videos of others shopping. Saw everything from the uniforms worn by greeters to the black and white checkered tile floor and the seasonal deco used for when my character visited.
THEN
3. Talk to a local. (This sweet local woman stayed after a German tour and chatted with us.)
I called Bloomingdales and asked to be connected to the purse department. The clerk described the location, on the balcony overlooking the stairs, then gave me the most wonderful sales pitch describing all their finest products. WOW! I took pages of notes and felt like I had my own little brown bag filled to the brim with details for my character.
It is crucial to be accurate when portraying a culture.
Readers will know!
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