The Definitive Book of Body Language - Barbara Pease [37]
We Were Having Pizza at the Time
As we are writing this chapter, we are in Venice, Italy, speaking at a conference on cultural differences. If we had never traveled to Italy, we would have been shocked by what we'd experienced. All cultures walk on the same side of the pavement as they drive on the road. This means if you're British, Australian, South African, or a New Zealander, you drive and walk to the left. The consequence is that you'd find the Italians constantly bumping into you as you walk on the pavement because, as they approach and you step to your left, they step to their right. Wearing sunglasses in foreign countries is the single biggest cause of pavement collisions between cultures because no one can see the other person's gaze to know which way they intend to step. But it's a novel way of meeting new and interesting foreigners.
You'd also be stunned when you go to shake hands to say good-bye to an Italian but, instead, you get a kiss on both cheeks.
“As I departed, the Italian man kissed me on both cheeks.
I was tying my shoelaces at the time.”
WOODY ALLEN
As you talk with local Italians, they seem to stand in your space, continually grabbing you, talking over the top of you, yelling, in fact, and sounding angry about everything. But these things are a normal part of everyday friendly Italian communication. Not all things in all cultures mean the same things.
Take the Cultural Test
How aware are you of cultural differences in body language? Try this exercise—hold up your main hand to display the number five—do it now. Now change it to the number two. If you're Anglo-Saxon, there's a 96 percent chance you'll be holding up your middle and index fingers. If you're European, there's a 94 percent chance you'll be holding up your thumb and index finger. Europeans start counting with the number one on thumb, two on the index finger, three on the middle finger, and so on. Anglo-Saxons count number one on the index finger, two on the middle finger and finish with five on the thumb.
Now look at the following hand signals and see how many different meanings you can assign to each one. For each correct answer, score one point and deduct one point for an incorrect answer. The answers are listed at the bottom of the page.
For each correct answer you get, allocate yourself one point.
A. Europe and North America: OK
Mediterranean region, Russia, Brazil, Turkey: An orifice
signal; sexual insult; gay man
Tunisia, France, Belgium: Zero; worthless
Japan: Money; coins
B. Western countries: One; Excuse me!; As God is my witness; No! (to children)
C. Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malta: Up yours!
U.S.A.: Two
Germany: Victory
France: Peace
Ancient Rome: Julius Caesar ordering five beers
D. Europe: Three
Catholic countries: A blessing
E. Europe: Two
Britain, Australia, New Zealand: One
U.S.A.: Waiter!
Japan: An insult
F. Western countries: Four
Japan: An insult
G. Western countries: five
Everywhere: Stop!
Greece and Turkey: Go to hell!
H. Mediterranean: Small penis
Bali: Bad
Japan: Woman South America: Thin
France: You can't fool me!
I. Mediterranean: Your wife is being unfaithful
Malta and Italy: Protection against the Evil Eye (when pointed)
South America: Protection against bad luck (when rotated)
U.S.A.: Texas University Logo, Texas Longhorn Football Team
J. Greece: Go to hell!
The West: Two
K. Ancient Rome: Up yours!
U.S.A.: Sit on this! Screw you!
L. Europe: One
Australia: Sit on this! (upward jerk)
Widespread: Hitchhike; good; OK
Greece: Up yours! (thrust forward)
Japan: Man; five
M. Hawaii: Hang loose
Holland: Do you want a drink?
N. U.S.A.: I love you