Things not to do abroad
When you visit another country and can’t speak the language, your instinct is often to reply using actions to explain what you want. However, this can go horribly wrong... not all gestures are universal, and something very innocent could have a very different meaning in another country. Here are a few traps to avoid...
Putting your thumbs up
Where to avoid doing it: Thailand
What it means in the UK: ‘I agree’ or ‘nice one!’ Or, if you’re standing on a roadside, ‘can I have a lift please...?’
What it means in Thailand: Na na na-na na. It’s basically the Thai equivalent of poking your tongue out at someone so it could be perceived as a very childish sign of condemnation. It is also considered to be an obscene gesture in Iraq and Iran.
Holding up your palm towards someone
Where to avoid doing it: Greece
What it means in the UK: Usually ‘stop’, sometimes a slight wave, occasionally a Jerry Springer-style ‘talk to the hand!’
What it means in Greece: I’m imitating smearing your face with excrement. That’s not an exact translation, but the gesture is thought to be a remnant of Byzantine times when people could taunt shackled criminals by actually doing that. Either way, holding your palms out towards a person is a highly insulting gesture.
Patting on the head
Where to avoid doing it: Sri Lanka
What it means in the UK: A gesture of affection or fondness, usually administered to a small child.
What it means in Sri Lanka: Because the top of the head is the highest point of the body in the Buddhist faith (it is thought to be where the spirit exists), touching the top of a person’s head is massively invasive and inappropriate. This is the same for most predominantly Buddhist countries.
Holding your thumb between two fingers
Where to avoid doing it: Turkey
What it means here: Nothing much, except maybe ‘Got your nose’ - a small trick reserved for particularly gullible children.
What it means there: Up yours. It is a rather aggressively rude version of giving someone the middle-finger.
Giving with one hand
Where to avoid doing it: Japan
What it means here: Whatever I’m giving you is small enough that I can fit it in one hand, so that’s what I’ll do.
What it means there: ‘Whatever.’ A one-handed presentation might be taken as dismissive in Japan - it’s the done thing to make offerings with both hands, whether it’s a gift, a business card or passing someone the remote control. It indicates you are attentive and sincere in the offering.
Crossing your fingers
Where to avoid doing it: Vietnam
What it means here: ‘Hopefully’. Or more literally, ‘fingers crossed!’ Or in some cases a reference to the National Lottery.
What it means there: The crossed fingers are said to resemble female genitals (?!) in Vietnam so it is considered to be a particularly obscene gesture, especially when done while looking at or addressing someone.
Asking someone to come hither
Where to avoid doing it: The Philippines
What it means in the UK: Come here
What it means in the Philippines: It has the same meaning but you’d probably only use it on dogs - to use it with a person is highly derogatory and suggests you consider them to be a subservient inferior. Also to be avoided in Japan, where it is thought to be disrespectful and in Singapore, where it symbolises death.
Taking someone’s photo
Where to avoid doing it: Chamula in Mexico
What it means in the UK: I want to capture this moment forever, and you’re a part of it. Say cheese.
What it means in Chamula: If someone smashes your camera to smithereens after you snap them it’s not because you didn’t get their good side - it’s because of their belief that being photographed steals their soul. Camera smashing is therefore not uncommon, and some tourists have even been known to be arrested. This is also the case in certain African countries, such as in rural Ghana.
Finishing your dinner
Where to avoid doing it: China
What it means here: That was so tasty I couldn’t leave any. Either that or you’re very polite and forced it down so as not to offend.
What it means there: I want more please. Leaving no food on your plate is indicative to the host that you haven’t had enough and it’s likely they will give you more food and keep serving it until you leave some on your plate. Even if you’re not totally full up, you should leave a small amount on your plate to show you’re satisfied. This is true of any Asian country actually.
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