If you are travelling to a foreign country, beware of what you do with your body!

Bulgaria
Shaking your head back and forth in Bulgaria and Greece means 'yes'. Nodding your head in Bulgaria and Greece means 'no'.

Greece
Don't give someone a high five in Greece! It roughly means 'In Your Face'.

SouthEast Asia
Avoid pointing the soles of your feet at people in Saudi Arabia, India, and southeast Asia. It's insulting because feet touch the ground, which in considered filthy.

Buddhist Countries
Never pat somebody on a head in Thailand or other Buddhist countries. The head is sacred to Buddhists.

Do you know of any other body gestures that change from coutry to country?

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IndianPainter
Love Is Something Too Many People Look For Instead Of Giving

In China and other parts of Asia it is rude to beckon with the fingers pointing up . You should point your hand downwards and move fingers towards you.It is rude to point at people. It is rude to touch the head (although Chinese peopl;e here seem to touch the heads of children with red hair , as red is lucky.)
You should remove your shoes on entering a home. More later.

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I had a boring office job—I cleaned the windows in the envelopes. —Rita Rudner

I really like this topic and I hope more people will add to it.

Yes I agree Jo..Someday I will travel and this will be all good to know. I would never want to offend anyone!!

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Sandalwood's Cosmic Creations: Working with the magic of love....

I had a friend who spent some time in Japan and worked with small children. In Australia (& probably elsewhere) we have a little trick we play with kids where you pretend to steal their nose and by placing your thumb between your index and middle digit you pretend you have it captured.

She did this and the kids were horrified and ran off screaming. I cannot remember why they were scared exactly but in Japan it was apparently an offensive/rude sign!!

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"Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm..."

Hitchhicking

In New Zealand you stick your thumb out,
In Australia you stick your 1st finger out.

Here is an interesting website. The George Bush blunder made big news in Australia.

http://www.salon.com/wlust/road/1998/11/19road.html

[ 05-22-2001: Message edited by: zozo ]

That's our Bush! Not only can he offend people in *this* country, but he can offend other countries as well.

Thought I'd bring this topic back up to the top. Always good to know what to do (and especially NOT do!) when out of our natural habitat!