If you are going to a foreign country, the first difficulty, which you must tackle, is salutation. Do you know how many traps you can fall into?
In many countries such part of the body as head is emphasized. In the countries where the basic religion is Buddhism, and also in many countries of Southern Asia the head is considered to be a receptacle of a soul. Don’t try to pat children on the head in Thailand. If you hear “The head is sacred, do not touch it!” and do not have troubles with child’s parents, it means that you are well out of this situation.
In the Mediterranean region, relatives, friends and even total strangers usually swap kisses on the cheek. Polynesians in Maori (New Zealand) continue tradition of saluting each other with rubbing their noses. This greeting is called hongi.
In Spain, people shake hands more often, than kiss, that’s why it is important for you to know this, if you don’t want to make faux pas. If you go to Russia, we recommend you to follow only one rule: do not shake hands “across the threshold”, because this can entail serious conflict. Many are of the opinion that this can cause a disaster.
In the countries of Middle East and Southern Asia, and also in some parts of Africa, the left hand is assigned for hygienic sanitary procedures. That’s why tourist should not touch goods, products and people with his left hand. In India this veto is put upon all religious actions. Besides, Indians accept gifts only with their right hand. For Moslems eating with the right hand is a rule not only for reasons of cleanliness: in one of the surahs of the Koran it is said that “Satan eats and drinks with the left hand”.
If the tradition of hand shake, as the story goes, arose after situation, when partners wanted to assure each other, that one of them does not hide the weapon in his hand, custom of looking each other in the face during proposing a toast appeared thanks to poisoners. So, if deliberate criminal added some toxic substance in a drink, it is hardly probable, that he would look, how his victim drinks poisoned liquid. Some cultures get further. In many European countries man proves his sincerity, looking into the eyes of everyone, with whom he clinks glasses during drinking toasts. When you sit at a big table in the midst of your friends, this process can take long, but it is obligatory for all.
So, if you don’t want to overstrain your neck, setting your face to every drinking companion, try not to be enthusiastic in proposing long toasts. And remember, that in any risky situation heartfelt smile is your concealed weapon; you are a foreigner and cannot know everything.
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