Nonverbal communication. What tourists need to know about gestures
It is important for smokers to know that the usual gesture “let’s go, smoke” (a person puts his fingers to his mouth and makes movement of his fingers, as if he smokes) is not always acceptable. In Eastern countries, hookah is mainly smoked, and this proposal is completely incomprehensible to them. Moreover, in Arab countries it can be regarded as an obscene gesture, especially if it is addressed to a woman. In Russia, there are currently various hookah bars. Our compatriots pass the mouthpiece from hand to hand. In Arab countries, the mouthpiece must be placed on the table, otherwise the gesture of the “peace pipes” can be considered as coercion.
Giving flowers to a person you care about is also a kind of gesture.
Romantics are advised not to go wrong. In China, people like to receive artificial flowers. People in China believe that live flowers are short-lived and will fade and look dead. In China, it is not customary to come to visit with flowers. This gesture will indicate a lack in the house, as if the guest hints that the dwelling is inadequately decorated: take, they say, flowers, in your abode there is not enough comfort.
Self-sufficient male tourists need to be careful with gestures relative to the female sex. In Russia, if a man invites a lady to a restaurant, he must show gallantry and pay the bill for dinner. In some countries, especially if you're in the states, women usually pay for themselves. If a man insists on treating a lady at his own expense, he will belittle the female sex, showing his material superiority.
And the main advice to all tourists: sign language is limitless, but if you want, you can express any feeling, for example, draw on the sand, ground or snow conventional signs (paint a heart if you want to confess love, draw a car if you need a taxi, etc.). The main thing is to consider the mentality of the people of the country in which you are located.
Ekaterina Raspopin
tourist portal it tourist and ekaterinburgand restaurant. bar etc.