Body Language

UK: Don't stick your index finger and middle finger up with the palm of your hand facing towards you. It’s the equivalent of giving someone the finger. Tip: Don’t order two beers in this fashion in UK bars. Doing it palm facing out is OK (i.e. the peace sign).

Greece: You shouldn’t wave to anyone with an open palm (like greeting a friend or crossing the street) or show your palm (as one might say ‘hold on’ or ‘wait’ or show the number 5). It is essentially the way one flips someone the bird in Greece, but more than that, it states ‘I reject you’, the ultimate ‘diss’ as opposed to being a friendly gesture.

Asia: Never touch any part of someone else’s body with your foot, which is considered the ‘lowest’ part of the body. If you accidentally do this, apologize by touching your hand to the person’s arm and then touching your own head. Don’t point at objects or people with your feet, don’t prop your feet on chairs or tables while sitting.

Thailand: Don’t be alarmed if a local unabashedly picks their nose while talking to you; it’s considered a natural act of good hygiene...!

Nepal: It’s bad manners to step over someone's outstretched legs, so avoid doing that, and move your own legs when someone wants to pass.

Russia: When sitting on benches keep your feet on the ground. Anyone attempting sideways lounging or picturesque knee-hugging poses is risking death by babushka laser vision.

Make your own research about cross-cultural etiquette in a country you’ve visited or would like to visit and present it to your class.

Read the article about the Russian etiquette through the eyes of foreigners. What do you think about the recommendations given to foreign travelers? Are they all true?

Etiquette Tips for People Visiting Russia

Like every country, Russia has cultural customs that should be practiced by tourists. While many Russians give a lot of leeway, it’s best to come to Russia prepared.

People who visit Russia for business or pleasure should try to have good manners while interacting with locals. Here are 12 tips useful for the typical tourist who comes to Russia for travel. These tips can be used when dining, shopping, in private Russian homes and out on the street.

· Shoes are always removed when entering a private home (and are sometimes removed when entering Russian museums). Slippers may be given to guests to wear.

· A small edible gift (wine, pastries, fruit) should always be given to hosts when people are invited over for dinner.

· When Russian people give flowers, they never give them in even-numbers (even-numbered bunches of flowers are reserved for funerals).

· Visitors to Russia should try to refrain from smiling too much to avoid attracting attention.

· Americans in particular should speak a little lower than they would in their home country; Russians often remark that their American friends seem to be shouting when they speak.

· Russians follow European table manners – fork in the left hand, knife in right hand.

· Single women should avoid sitting at the corner of a table; this is considered bad luck.

· During train travel, it is considered polite for travelers to share all they have with the people in the carriage: food, drink and cigarettes.

· At door markets, there is quite a bit of jostling; this is normal.

· When standing in line, tourists should get up quite close to the person in front of them. Failures to do so will lead locals to believe that the tourist is not in the line at all.

· A little bit of knowledge of the Russian language will go a long way. At the very least, tourists should learn to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

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