Relacionar Columnas Body language around the worldVersión en línea Body language is a basic element of culture. It plays a great role in everyday life communication and it is especially important when speakers belong to different cultures. por ΠΟΛΥΞΕΝΗ ΣΕΡΓΙΑΝΙΔΟΥ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Standing close to the other speaker is OK in Argentina, Peru, Italy, Greece, Slovakia, Russia and Bulgaria but it makes people uncomfortable in Romania, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. The Americans also need their personal space. In Egypt guests are offered coffee or tea all the time, as this demonstrates hospitality. Refusing the drink is viewed as rejecting the person who offers it. Crossing your fingers means “good luck” in the UK and USA but in Vietnam is considered extremely rude as it is a sign for female genitalia. In East Asia, sticking your chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice is considered taboo and bad luck because this is a sign of death. This is only done during funerals. Pulling your lower eyelid down in Germany reveals sarcasm. The “come here” gesture is extremely offensive in the Philippines. You can even get arrested and spend time in prison if you do it in public! It's also considered a rude gesture in Slovakia, eastern Asia, and Singapore. The OK or ring gesture is a symbol for scuba divers everywhere.It signifies "I am OK" . In most English-speaking countries it shows approval and that all is well. However, it is extremely rude in parts of Middle and Southern Europe, in some Mediterranean countries, in Turkey and Kuwait. Thumbs up is a gesture for a job well-done in the USA but it is considered extremely rude in Iran, Afghanistan, Sardinia and parts of West Africa. In Northern Italy, France, Belgium and Tunisia, the chin flick can be used to tell someone to get lost in an aggressive way. In much of Italy, people will make the gesture to indicate they couldn't care less about what you are saying. It is OK to hug and touch the other speaker in the USA, Greece, France, Turkey, Spain but makes people uncomfortable in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and Portugal. In Bali touching someone on the head is taboo because Hindus believe that the head is the place where the soul is and is therefore sacred. Sitting with crossed legs in Japan is considered disrespectful. Finishing your plate at a dinner party in the UK is a sign of a good meal but in China means that your host didn’t feed you enough. In India leaving a small amount of food on your plate indicates that you are satisfied. Finishing all your food means that you are still hungry. Showing the soles of your shoes or feet can insult people in India, the Middle East, and Asia. To hit someone with your shoe – as journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi tried with President George W Bush in 2008– is seen as even worse. Crossing your arms in Finland is considered a huge sign of arrogance. Standing with your arms crossed at a pub is likely to get you into a fight! Strong eye contact (looking at the other speaker’s eyes for more than 3 seconds) shows respect and focus on the person you are looking at in Spanish, Arabic and most Western cultures but it is considered rude and makes people feel awkward in Japan and Finland.
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