Thread: Dangerous body language

This AOL article is about what Americans should avoid doing in other countries and why. You definitely should read it if you think there is nothing wrong with the thumbs up and OK signs (among others) and will be sailing to places that equate them to the extended middle finger.

Dangerous Body Language Abroad - AOL Travel News

Moderators, let me know if I posted this in the wrong area.

Thanks for posting this, Andrea
It is in exactly the right place.

5 Surefire Ways to Offend the Locals

Body language that's harmless at home may be outright insulting abroad. Here are five gestures to avoid.
By Sean O'Neill, Monday, July 12, 2010

GREECE
DON'T: Thrust your palm, fingers extended, toward someone in a downward swat.


THE MESSAGE: Called the moutza, this crude hand signal is a holdover from the Byzantine era, when judges ridiculed guilty people by wiping ash on their faces. Nowadays, it means "Screw off!" or "That's ridiculous!" The message comes across as serious and offensive, not playful.


DANGER ZONE: You may instinctively make this gesture when refusing something, such as a shot of ouzo in a bar.

WORK-AROUND: Say óchi ("no") and efharistó ("thank you") or make a blocking motion instead. If you are declining the offer of a drink, for instance, cover your glass with a hand. And if you're really trying to make friends, just accept the drink.


SOUTHERN ITALY
DON'T: Point your two hands toward the ground as if you're holding two pistols, with the back of your hands visible to the other person.


THE MESSAGE: You're threatening to beat the person up—or saying you could beat them up if you wanted to.

DANGER ZONE: Gesturing toward a spot in front of you, such as a place where you want a bellhop to drop your luggage.

WORK-AROUND: Wave your hands toward the spot instead.



YOU DID WHAT?!
See illustrations of the gestures that could get you in hot water on your next trip.
• Launch the slide show


THAILAND
DON'T: Point your foot at a person (especially someone older than you) or at a religious icon, such as a statue of the Buddha.


THE MESSAGE: Feet are the "lowest" part of the body, according to the spiritual hierarchy of Thai Buddhism, so you're basically insulting someone or something as the lowest of the low.


DANGER ZONE: At a temple, where visitors often pause and sit on the floor, you may be tempted to stretch your feet outward after a long day.

WORK-AROUND: Sit cross-legged, you farang.


UNITED KINGDOM
DON'T: Create a V shape with your index and middle fingers, with the back of your hand directed at the other person.


THE MESSAGE: Winston Churchill may have popularized the "V for Victory" symbol worldwide, but this gesture, performed in reverse in England, Scotland, or Wales, is similar to giving someone the finger in the U.S.

DANGER ZONE: Requesting a table for two at a restaurant or ordering two drinks at a bar, you may unconsciously flash two fingers this way.

WORK-AROUND: Say "two" instead, or remember to raise two fingers "peacefully," in the palm-outward way a hippie would flash the peace sign.


BANGLADESH AND IRAN
DON'T: Flash the thumbs-up sign.

THE MESSAGE: It means about the same thing as flipping the bird in the U.S.

DANGER ZONE: Without thinking, you may give someone a thumbs-up when you're eager to show your approval but don't know how to speak the local tongue.

WORK-AROUND: Learn how to say "yes" in the native language instead.

Originally Posted by Char

Thanks for posting this, Andrea.
It is in exactly the right place.

Thanks Char.

Gotta be glad waving hi and bye is always acceptable.

Very nice article. Thanks Smart Traveler for showing me a way to launch at a new article. It's great reading. And char you too brought some important things here which will not be followed outside of home countries.

Thanks,
Chandri
Body Language

And a smile and a "thank you" always seem to be taken positively.

Very helpful to know the things we could unintentionally do to offend others while in their country.

Hope more will be added!

Originally Posted by LuLu

Very helpful to know the things we could unintentionally do to offend others while in their country.


Hope more will be added!

I hope deaf cruiers are reading this thread. I read a book a while back about sign language. It says the letter T in ASL is the same as you extending your middle finger in France and other nations. That is the thumb placed between the index and middle fingers - not a handshape people who can talk have to worry about.

Hope is there anything we need to know about body language in Australia?

Ugh, I hate the comments at the end of the article I posted. There is no excuse for that crap. When you finish the article, scroll up or just close it.

Open forums attract all sorts. I always read comments with a grain of salt - if I even bother to read them.