International Body Gestures
In the first article I read, I found out that a body gesture in the United States could have a totally different meaning in other countries. The United States gesture for “all right” does not mean the same thing in every country. For example, in Japan it means “money”, in France it means “zero”, and in Brazil it means an “unmentionable orifice.” Another interesting body gesture is the way you sit in a chair. If you were in the presence of some Muslims or Thai people you would not want to cross your legs when you sit down. The foot is considered the lowest part of the body, physically as well as spiritually in Middle Eastern countries and Thailand. It is also offending to reach for more food in Pakistan with your left hand, because it is seen as being unclean. The left hand is to wash your private areas in Pakistan. Another body gesture that is unusual is sticking your tongue out at another person. In the United States, sticking your tongue out at another person means your being silly or being “punk’d.” But, in some parts of Tibet, sticking your tongue out at another person is a way of greeting people. One of the most disrespectful body gestures in the United States is spitting on another person. But, if you find yourself at a wedding in Kenya, spitting on the head is a form of blessing. Although, this old tradition is fading away, when Kenyans shake hands the older of the two will spit in his hands before hand. This means he is transferring the goodness of his saliva to another as a blessing. The “thumbs up” body gesture means “ok” or “good” in the United States, but in the Middle East it means you want to have sexual relations with the person you are giving the “thumbs up” to. The last body gesture I learned about is getting into a cab in Australia. In the United States we are used to getting in the back of cab, but in