6 SIMPLE GESTURES THAT ARE HEIGHT OF RUDENESS OVERSEAS
6 SIMPLE GESTURES THAT ARE HEIGHT OF RUDENESS OVERSEAS
Some everyday gestures become so part of your routine that you almost forget you are doing them. But as this list shows, there are some completely innocuous ones that could land you in big trouble overseas.
THUMBS UP
Although it is a sign of goodwill in the English speaking world, the thumbs up is seen as an incredibly rude gestures in Brazil, Argentina, Iran and Afghanistan.
CROSSING YOUR FINGERS
In Vietnam, if you cross your fingers in the way you would for luck, it is actually seen as a gesture that refers to the female genitalia.
LEAVING AN UPSIDE DOWN, EMPTY GLASS IN A BAR
You perhaps may don’t know this often, but in Australia this is used as a sign suggesting you want to fight other people in the bar.
COMPLIMENTS
If you offer compliments to items on display in the homes of people in countries like Jordan or Senegal, the owner will feel obliged to offer them up a gift. Declining the kind gesture in return would cause great offence.
EYE CONTACT
In some Asian cultures it can be seen as rude or intimidating to maintain eye contact, and so some conduct conversations while looking at the ground.
FINISHING YOUR PLATE
In the Philippines, if you finish your plate of food it is seen as a sign that you are questioning your host’s ability to satisfy your appetite.