kene@teklds.UUCP (Ken Ewing) (01/28/86)
I was reading the Travel section of the Sunday paper and found an article about a book entitled "Do's and Taboos Around the World." The book is edited by Roger Axtell, chief marketing officer of the Parker Pen Co. According to the newspaper article: "[Axtell] has visitied some 71 countries. Besides his own input, the book contains information supplied by 500 other seasoned international professionals." Here are some interesting points from the book: "Two familiar hand gestures, the V sign and thumbs up, don't always mean the same things in all places. In most of Europe, the V sign means victory, when, as Churchill did, the palm faces forward. However, the gesture palm-in means -- roughly -- `shove it.' In non-British-oriented countries, the gesture generally means two of something, as in `two more beers, please.' The thumbs up sign in almost every place in the world simply means `OK.' However, in Australia, it's considered a rude gesture." "In India, men may shake hands with other men, but not with women. If introduced to a woman, he should place his palms together and bow slightly. Men should avoid touching a woman in India and should not talk to a lone woman in public." "In Thailand, never touch a person's head, even a child's, as the head is considered the seat of the soul." The article says you can order this book for $8.95 at the following address: Public Relations Department Parker Pen Co. P.O. Box 1616 Janesville, Wis. 53547 If anyone is already familiar with the book, please post some comments. Ken Ewing Tektronix, Walker Road Beaverton, Oregon [decvax,ucbvax]!tektronix!teklds!kene
boren@randvax.UUCP (Pat Boren) (01/31/86)
We noticed in the German countries, people count starting with their thumb -- that is, thumb is 1, index finger is 2, etc. So when some- one wants one more beer, the thumb goes up to indicate 1, not 'okey dokey'. -- Patricia Boren decvax!randvax!boren boren@rand-unix.arpa
jca@drutx.UUCP (ArnsonJC) (02/03/86)
To get a good look at other indications around the world of this sort, read Desmond Morris' book, _Man Watching_. It goes into all sorts of gestures and body languages differences around the world. -- jill c. arnson ihnp4!drutx!jca AT&T IS, Denver (303)538-4800 "Excuse me,... My name's Enid Kapelsen, I'm from Boston. Tell me, do you fly a lot?"