Like southern Europeans and unlike their Japanese neighbours, the Chinese
demonstrate their regard for members of their own sex by publicly holding
hands or making other forms of physical contact. Opposite sexes don’t
engage in public displays of affection.Common Gestures, Multiple Interpretations ............................................
Just when you thought you knew the meaning of laughter, the ‘thumbs up’
sign, and giving the ‘okay’ signal, you find yourself creating the most embar-
rassing faux pas. All you can plead is ignorance. Hardly a viable excuse.Thumbs up ..........................................................................................
The thumbs up sign means different things in different cultures. In many cul-
tures it means ‘good’. Even in those cultures where thumbs up means the
same as it does in the ‘home’ culture – like Britain and America – how it’s
given is important.If you’re travelling in Japan and want to indicate that everything’s just great,
stick your thumb up in the air with a clenched fist. However, the same ges-
ture in the Arab world is viewed as a major misdemeanour and can therefore
land you in big trouble.The ‘okay’ sign ....................................................................................
Traveller, beware. North Americans make a circle with their index finger and
thumb, the other fingers slightly raised, to indicate approval (see Figure
15-2). When the Japanese make this sign they’re signalling money. You’re
regarded as vulgar if you make this sign in Brazil. Whereas, for the French,
the gesture stands for zero.Ask your host, or read ahead of time, what the okay sign means in a particu-
lar country. In Arab countries it’s a rude sexual gesture. So, don’t assume that
it means the same thing universally. Giving the okay sign can be a blessing or
a curse!Never give the okay sign in Japan while shaking your fist – it’s considered to
be an extremely rude gesture.Chapter 15: Crossing the Cultural Divide 251