CARNET - Arhiva 2021 Loomen

In parts of Northern Europe, a quick, firm handshake is the norm, but in parts of Southern Europe, Central and South America, a handshake is longer and warmer. Beware that in Turkey, a firm handshake is considered rude and aggressive, and in certain African countries, a limp handshake is normal. In Islamic countries, men should generally never shake the hands of women.

In the Czech Republic and parts of Germany, it is considered a lack of respect to not look each other in the eye when toasting with an alcoholic beverage … and not just the first toast, but EVERY single time you clink those glasses together! So, be prepared to know your new friends’ eye color quite well by the end of a long night out. In the United States and Canada, intermittent eye contact is extremely important in conveying interest and attention.

In many Middle Eastern cultures, intense eye contact between the same genders is often a symbol of trust and sincerity; however, between opposite genders, especially in Muslim cultures, anything more than BRIEF eye contact is considered inappropriate. Additionally, in Asian, African, and Latin American cultures, extended eye contact is considered a “challenge”. The Japanese tend to consider even brief eye contact uncomfortable. And, in some cultures, a woman should look down when talking to a man.

Where you may enjoy that bit of breathing room and having people at a distance, be aware that in countries like China, India and other locations or cities with larger populations, people will crowd you, touch you, grab you, etc. On the opposite side of the coin, coming in too close to people in Scandinavia or even the UK will make them uncomfortable and may be taken as I sign of aggression.

When you first set foot in Ethiopia or India, you may think you have entered a country open to homosexuality, but this is not necessarily the case, as it is common for men to hold hands, whilst in Asia, and even many Slavic countries, girls will constantly roam about with fingers interlocked.

Sorry to say, but outside of the USA and Paris – the city of love, those sloppy, passionate, romance movie kisses in full view of others are reserved for wedding celebrations and not enjoyed on the street.

In some countries, you may even face jail time for displaying too much affection in public so be respectful and save those kisses for private.

In the West, we enjoy the porcelain throne for our duties, but this is a modernity and unheard of outside of hotels for foreigners in many countries. Be prepared for the hole in the ground…. or even worse! This was the way of the past (and doctors claim it is much better for the human system anyway).

Don’t fret, though! Mid- to upper-range accommodation and restaurants will keep them as clean as any Western facility and will even stock them with toilet paper! Otherwise, you will learn quickly that the bucket of water with a scoop beside the pit is what that left hand and a bit of splashing are for.

Be sure to keep some tissues and hand sanitizer handy when you are planning on being out for the day.

Gestures mean different things to different people. In all seriousness, it is better to keep your gestures to yourself. If you want to give the finger to that guy that just cut you off in traffic, it might not have any effect at all if he/she is from a different culture. In fact, in some cultures, it’s used as a pointer.

The thumbs-up has all different meanings, too, and you should also be careful with the American “A-Okay” sign or putting your hands on your hips.

In Asia, when you want to wave the waiter over to your table, do so with your palm faced towards you, and in Ethiopia, you may be shocked at the way the locals treat servers as they would call a dog to heel, but try the same in Europe, then good luck on getting any service at all.

If you would like to learn more, we suggest this book – Rude Hand Gestures of the World: A Guide to Offending without Words.

Ladies, those skimpy shorts and bikini top may work well on some beaches in Thailand or the south of France, but even a skirt that isn’t long enough to cover your calves in Aleppo, Syria will get you scorned by the more conservative women and may get you too much unwanted attention from certain men unused to seeing more flesh publicly.