2. Cross-Cultural Communication
• What can mean one thing in • President George Bush
one country, can often Senior gave the “V-for-
mean something different Victory” to demonstrators
in another in Canberra, Australia's
• So when persuading or capital in January 1992. In
communicating with Australia, holding up two
people, always be aware of fingers to form a “V” is
cultural customs that may equivalent to the middle-
exist finger gesture in the
United States. President
Bush later apologized for
his actions.

3. Different Meanings of the Same
Gesture
• UK & USA = O.K.
• Japan = Money
• Brazil = Insult
• Russia = Zero

4. Philippines
• Do not finish the food on your plate.
• Greet with a quick flash of the eyebrows—a
quick lifting of the eyebrows.
• Avoid pointing or wagging a finger at
people.
• Loud voices, public drunkenness and rude
behavior are inappropriate

5. Japan
• Avoid sticking your chopsticks upright in a
bowl of rice as it is reserved for funerals.
• Avoid sucking and biting your chopsticks.
• Putting your thumb in between your middle
and index finger while making a fist is
obscene.
• Avoid eating and drinking while walking in
public.

6. China
• Spitting in public after clearing ones throat
is quite common
• Shaking legs while sitting, snapping fingers,
and whistling are generally unacceptable
behaviors for women.
• Avoid sticking your chopsticks upright in a
bowl of rice as it is reserved for funerals

7. Spain
• It is customary to let the woman offer her
handshake first.
• Men and women/woman and women greet
with light kisses on the cheeks
• In social situations it is common to show up
late but being on time for business
situations is expected.
• Table manners are extremely important. It
is not usually polite to eat with the hands.

8. Brazil
• Clicking the tongue and shaking the head
indicates disagreement or disapproval.
• The inverted American “OK” sign is an
obscene gesture.
• Wait to bring up the topics related to
politics, poverty, religion, or the Rain Forest
until trust has been established.

9. Egypt
• Right hand is designated for eating and the
left for bodily hygiene.
• Do not eat everything on your plate when
dining.
• It is rude to show the sole of your shoe.
• Pork is not consumed by most Muslims
(90% of population) – so do not serve it
when you are hosting Muslims.

10. England
• Privacy is very important; do not stare.
• Tipping at bars is rare.
• Loud behavior (talking or shouting) in
public is considered rude.
• The victory sign with your palm facing in is
considered vulgar.
• Never cut in line.

11. Israel
• Public display of affection between members of
the opposite sex is considered rude and
offensive.
• Avoid greeting, giving or receiving objects or
handling money or food with your left hand.
• The thumb’s up sign rude/obscene gesture by
many.
• Throughout the country greetings are very
important . It is expected that you should
enquire after the other person’s health,
studies/work, family, and so on.

12. Mexico
• Hands on hips is a sign of hostility or anger.
• When demonstrating the height of
something, be aware that holding the palm
face down is reserved for animals.
• Making a V sign with your fingers is an
obscene gesture.
• Mexicans sometimes use a “psst-psst,”
whistling or a kissing sound to catch
another’s attention in public.

13. India
• Grasping the ears signifies sincerity or
repentance.
• Most all meetings generally begin with palms
pressed together at around chest level and
saying, “Namaste”. People usually nod or bow
slightly as well.
• It is common to remove one's shoes at places
of worship, when visiting people's homes, and
even in certain shops and businesses.

14. France
• Friends greet one another with kisses. The
number of kisses also varies depending on the
region of France.
• Tapping the side of your nose with your index
finger usually means that one is clever/smart.
• Light and quick handshake; women offer hand
first.
• Drinking is a normal part of the meal and the
social scene ; most people do not drink to get
wasted. Regarding smoking, it is generally
seen as a fashionable thing to do in French