PHOTO Michael Arnone

nternational etiquette consultant Hilka Klinkenberg said there is a common shock in American businessmen when they go to Latin America. Latin men think nothing of giving each other a hearty "abrazo," or hug, when they meet. That might freak out an American man, who might want to slap his conversation partner on the arm or back – an action a Latino would find startling or threatening.

PHOTO Michael Arnone
"Latin Americans commonly put a hand on their conversation partner's shoulder while speaking, especially when both participants are of the same sex," says etiquette consultant Hilka Kinkenberg.
 

People from other cultures perceive this touching as hostile. With Asians, touching between people of opposite genders is frowned upon, she said.

The contrast is that Japanese and Chinese don't mind jostling each other on buses and trains.
"Often you'll see one person sitting on another's lap, both strangers to each other," Klinkenberg said. "They don't find such cramped contact threatening or hostile."

African cultures also have touching as a common custom. A 1997 report for the UNESCO said that because those are societies where the oral tradition predominates, the body is conceived as a product of the spoken word. It is then another way of expression.

nfortunately, that is some of the only information available about African standards for personal space. "There is a lack of research about African societies," said David Givens, director of the Center for Nonverbal Studies, located in Spokane, Wash. "Except for some anthropological studies, almost all the studies are about America and Europe.
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When it comes to greeting, the most universal one is the handshake. Anthropologist Desmond Morris said its origin is European, although many cultures touch hands and other body parts with the hand (or the hands) to greet family members and fellow tribesmen. According to him, this kind of behavior has its origin in tactile signs originally used in mammalian grooming and child care.

Other kinds of greetings also have a local origin, but they have quickly spread to other cultures. Morris states that the "buttock pat," used in American sports as a sign of encouragement, has spread to European sports.
However, there are still differences. According to Morris, in Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the buttock slap is given as a sign of insult.

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Giving the Right Sign

 

Thumbs up doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. It means "up yours" in Australia.

PHOTO Michael Arnone

Don't ever do that in Australia!


In some countries, such as Greece or Bulgaria, people have opposite signs to show approval or negation. They nod when they mean no and shake their heads when they mean yes.

Many Japanese wear surgical masks to prevent spreading germs to other people. Conversely, Americans wear them to keep other people’ germs out.

In Latin America, it is common to greet relatives or friends with one kiss on the cheek. In Spain they do the same thing but people kiss twice, one on each cheek, while in some French regions they give three kisses, switching cheeks each time.

The American OK sign (forming a circle with thumb and forefinger) is a crude reference to a vagina in Brazil. It also means "zero" or worthless in France, money in Japan, and calling someone a very bad name in Germany.

Putting feet on table is an American gesture that is found to be offensive to nearly every other country around the globe.