How do we know if we're being culturally sensitive when we travel for business? What seems an innocent gesture of being positive and encouraging here in the U.S., may be considered offensive and rude in another country. So...when you find yourself scheduled for travel and you're preparing your presentation, take the time to understand cultural etiquette - including dining do's and don'ts, and acceptable phrases. Below is a great overview from Busuu on universal hand gestures...
Hand gestures are a great way of reinforcing what you’re saying, but caution…as they may mean different things in different cultures
- reposted from Busuu
Thumbs up
This widely recognized sign of approval or agreement is actually used as an insult in Bangladesh. In certain parts of the Middle East, thumbs-up is definitely a highly offensive thumbs-down. The thumbs-up sign has been confusing people for thousands of years!
Come here
This is used in the United States to ask a person to step forward, but in Asia this gesture isn’t welcome It should only be used to beckon dogs…if you do it in the Philippines you could be arrested.
The horn fingers
In USA “the horn fingers” is adopted by rockers and it is a sign of approval, rock on! Hook ’em Horns is the slogan and hand signal of the University of Texas at Austin. But in many Mediterranean and Latin countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Italy and Portugal, to make this sign at someone is to tell them that their spouse is cheating on them.
Looking at your watch
This means ‘I’m in a hurry’ or ‘I’ve got to be somewhere’. In the Middle East, however, a conversation should run its natural course, as it would be very rude to look at your watch mid-conversation. In Arabic culture, once communication has started, it must “take its time”.
The Ok
In most of the English-speaking world, as well as in several other countries, this hand gesture means that everything is fine, great, okay and/or perfect. In Brazil, however, it is considered a rude gesture. The most famous example of this was in the 1950s when Richard Nixon visited Brazil and flashed the “Ok sign” to a waiting crowd upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro, who responded with boos!
The “V” Sign
This sign has two formats: one with the palm faced outwards, and another with the palm inwards. In the US, both ways refer to “victory”. In other places, such as in the UK, Australia and South Africa, the same gesture with the back of the hand facing the other person is considered to be an extremely insulting.
Next time you practice your new language skills remember to be sensitive with your hand gestures!
