While searching for information on my next travel destination, I came across an interesting article that mentions common gestures in North America that can mean something completely different abroad. After searching some more, I learned that there are many signs or gestures that we often give people here that can be interpreted as being rude if you were to do it in another country.
It’s important to do some research when visiting another country. I think for many people who don’t travel frequently they expect things to be the same as they are at home, but the idea of travelling is to experience something you wouldn’t get a chance to otherwise. Remember when travelling that you are visiting someone else’s homey. You are the visitor and it is up to you to embrace their culture, not the other way around.
Below are some locations where common North American gestures may be easily misunderstood.
United Kingdom: In the UK, giving the “peace sign” with the back of your hand facing the other person is interpreted as a rude gesture, similar to giving someone the middle finger in North America.
Greece: Showing your palms as if to say “stop” or “wait” as we do in North America has a completely different connotation in Greece at it is interpreted as a highly insulting gesture.
Thailand: While giving a thumbs-up here is a positive gesture, in Thailand the thumbs-up is a sign of disapproval or blame. Much like children stick out their tongues here, children in Thailand use this gesture when being silly.
Japan: In North America, people don’t normally pay much attention to how they hand something to someone. However, in Japan it is expect that a person makes an offering using both of their hands to show sincerity.
Fiji: In North America a typical handshake lasts only a few seconds and is normally a means of introduction. In Fiji, the handshake can last much longer and people can even stay with their hands together for the entire conversation.
I did not know about the Greece, Fiji and Japan and Thailand gestures. Good tips to remember if wanting to travel. Have you ever experienced a moment when a gesture you thought was normal in Canada was not elsewhere?
ReplyDeleteI haven't experienced any confusion in gestures. However, when I was visiting my grandparents in England a few years ago my Grandpa broke his hip and when the paramedics came they asked if he had "passed a penny" recently. He became offended thinking they were asking for a tip before taking him to the hospital, but apparently this is an English expression asking if you've gone to the washroom recently.
ReplyDeleteIn the UK, the rude gesture is to do the peace sign with the back of your hand facing the person (kind of like a backward peace sign). Definitely one to learn but not practise if you are heading the the UK for sure!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I like learning about things that are different between our culture and others. I sort of assumed that the peace sign was universal - good to know it's not.
ReplyDeleteJess, this is very interesting! It is good to know that symbols mean different things in different countries. I really liked the handshake in Fiji. I have always wanted to travel there and learning new things like this is always helpful! Great Blog!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I'm traveling Europe in Aug. so I will be sure to research gestures in the various countries. If i went to Fiji and someone wouldn't let go of my hand I'd be freaked out, I watch to much television I think. The thumbs up gesture in Thailand made me laugh as well, I can just picture myself giving a thumbs up every time someone said something to me that I couldn't understand, I don't think I would be making to many friends.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post because so many people, including I, believe that gestures are the same everywhere. I remember going to Venezuela a couple of years ago, and the hand gesture that means "Okay" here (you put your index finger and your thumb together to make a circle, and leave your other fingers up) means something completely different there. It is actually offensive. Not that I do that hand gesture all the time, but I had to be that much more conscious.
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ReplyDeleteIt is a very interesting post and I will definietly keep this in mind when traveling. However, the peace sign thing threw me off until I read Rachel's comment. I was shocked after reading with the thought that the Spice Girls were doing the peace sign to be rude and I was very disappointed. Thanks Rachel for re-instilling the belief in my head that the Spice Girls were good role models.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, and a good introduction to my speech topic for Mrs. Geddies class as I will be talking about international business etiquette!
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing up the peace sign gesture Rachel, I'll have to fix that!
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting! It is always difficult when visiting other countries because you never really know what might offend another culture. I am definitely going to have to keep these in mind.
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