Body Language

Ｃ：Is it worth taking a independent trip with friends?

Ｂ：It is worth traveling.

Ｒ：How many countries have you been to?

Ｂ：Umm. Greece, India, and England.

Ｒ：Wow! England! I have dreamed of going to England for a long time.

Ｃ： How do you solve the problem that you do not understand foreign language?

Ｂ：At that time, we only could use our body language.

Ｃ： Is there interesting thing taking place?

Ｂ： Umm, it is so embarrassing.

Ｃ：Oh? What is it?

Ｂ：Just something about body language. It is embarrassing to talk about.

Ｒ：I have developed an interest in body language for long time ago.

Ｃ：Actually, we have to use body language carefully.

Ｂ： Can you give me some example?

Ｃ：Like “ok.”

Ｒ： I know this. In south French, ok gesture is a symbol of zero, which means the
      thing is not worth to be mentioned or to oppose.

Ｃ：In the Middle East and Africa, ok gesture implies homosexual. Therefore, when
      you are in those places, never pose this gesture, or you will get in trouble.

Ｒ： Also, in Japan this gesture signals for money; in other words, people use the
      gesture of ok to ask for money, so we can’t pose “OK” randomly.

Ｂ： In addition, in most countries people nod their heads up and down to mean
      yes and shake them back and forth to mean no, but among the Eskimos, it is
      opposite.

Ｒ： We will present our thought by kinesics or gesture to foreigners, however,
      involuntary act may make people misunderstand even feel obscene.
      Sometimes it will even make others feel that we are violent even though we
      do not mean it.

Ｃ： For example, in our place, we think that to point your finger to people as a
      common act; in contrast, foreigners consider that it is rude. If you pose that
      gesture constantly, it could make one think that you want to have a fight.

Ｂ： Americans usually use thumb and chin to give a sign, but in our place, it is
      proud and rude. But most countries think that use forefinger to express
      something means insulting or aggressive.

Ｃ： When we see a cute child, we often touch his head with goodness. However,
      in Thailand, they consider it is impolite. It means insulting.

Ｂ： Not only child, but also adult. They think this is an insult. This movement not
      only takes away their good luck but also pull in misfortune. If you touch their
      head perfunctorily, they might be very angry at you for touching their head.

Ｒ： I had heard that there are similar taboo in Southeast Asian countries such as
      Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos. They think touching head especially children’s
      is very impolite

Ｃ： Additionally, meaning of the v gesture symbolizing victory varies from country
      to country.

Ｂ： This gesture does not mean victory in some cultures. Instead, it means “go  
      death.” in Greece. There is insulting and aggressive meaning in Greece.

Ｒ：By the way, when we pose “reverse v gesture” by the back of hand, it means
     opprobrious.

Ｂ：However, the new generation does not care about it. But in England and its
     colonies such as Australia and Hong Kong, it means insulting other people or
     offending public decency.

Ｃ：The reverse v gesture is similar to the insulting gesture known as “middle
      finger gesture.” So we have to remember not to pose those gestures in those
      places.

B：Contagiously, we have to avoid posing “v” gesture to express “victory” when we
     are traveling in Greece.

B：It’s weird. When we praise others, we may make a fist and hold up the thumb.
     But in the Middle East, the Balkan Peninsula, and Australia, this gesture is
     considered a sexual insult.

C：The zones vary from culture to culture, too. According to the studies, people
     have very specific territories around their bodies.

B：When North Americans get along with the Middle East people, Americans will
     likely feel uncomfortable because someone violates his space. On the other
     hand, the other might feel like very differently because his American friend
     stands so far away; he is unfriendly.

Ｒ：Well. Culture in every country is very profound. Before going to a country, we
     have to do justice to their culture.

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By Ruby, Betty, Clair