Traveling Taboos

When you travel to a different country, there can be cultural barriers that will most certainly cause you to stick out as a foreigner.  Most of the time, these mistakes will only cause mild embarrassment.  Other times, however, they can cause serious offense.  Hand gestures, phrases, or other actions may seem harmless to your home country, but if you are traveling, they could cause people of that country to dislike you or jump to the wrong conclusions about you.  Here are a few gestures and actions that have different meanings from the US:

Showing two fingers: In the US, putting two fingers up is the “peace sign,” but in Britain, having two fingers up and facing your palm inwards is the equivalent of the middle finger.

Showing your open palm with the fingers open – We might use this gesture to greet someone.  It also often means “stop.”  In Greece, however, it is extremely offensive and means that you think that person is beneath you.

The “okay” sign – It means “money” in Japan, and “zero” in France, but in Brazil, it

means ... ahem, something dirty that you can look up for yourself.

Salt – Putting salt on your food in Egypt is considered an insult to the chef.

Showing the bottom of your foot – In the Middle East and Thailand, the feet are the lowest part of the body, so if you are crossing your legs and showing the bottom of your foot, that is considered offensive.

Sticking your tongue out – This is considered a friendly greeting in Tibet, instead of an insult.

Taxi manners – It is considered rude if you sit in the back seat when you ride in a taxi in Australia, where everyone is considered equal.

Thumbs up – This can be an aggressive gesture similar to the middle finger in some countries.  If you are certain parts of the Middle East and give someone a thumbs up, you are asking them for sex … oops.

Giving flowers – Make sure you give flowers when you are in the Ukraine in an odd number; an even number of flowers are for funerals.  Yellow flowers are used for funerals as well.

Finishing your food – In Cambodia, if you finish your plate insults the host by saying that they didn’t give you enough food.  On the other hand, not eating all of the food on your plate is considered rude in Greece.

Sources:

www.parkridgeflyusa.com

news.travel.aol.com

blog.tours4fun.com