Being a place where you can’t speak the local language can be difficult for you to live. Is it possible for us to take a dictionary all the time? Of course, no! It’s only natural to communicate through body language. Hands can show something easily, but their meanings are different in different places.
Trying to call someone to come to you can not be understood easily. Because it depends on where you are. The same gesture may mean very different things in different places. Westerners do it with a hooked (弯曲的) forefinger and a raised palm (手掌). Asians do it in an opposite way and they don’t like the westerner’s way to ask for coming. In their opinion, they often do this to call the dog. Instead, when calling someone to come, Asians turn the palm down and wave all fingers together, and this is how Western people tell someone to go away.
Even the simplest hand movement can cause cross-cultural problems. In the West, a thumb up has a good meaning and a thumb down a bad one. However, you might be surprised to know that in the Middle East, a thumb up has a negative meaning and a thumb down has no meaning at all.
Body language may be a natural and good choice when you can’t communicate in local language. Some simple movements, gestures or even a blink of your eye may work just fine. Even if you don’t understand the words at all, it is still funny and useful to try body language.
【小题1】Which might cause bad feelings to an Asian person traveling in the West?| A．Showing a thumb up to express something good. |
| B．Making a “peace” sign when his or her picture is taken. |
| C．Using a dictionary to speak to someone. |
| D．Calling Asians to come in the Western way. |
| A．Try to use as much body language as possible. |
| B．Always remember to take a dictionary with you. |
| C．Body language is more preferred than the local language. |
| D．The local meanings of body language should be learnt earlier. |
| A．He thinks it’s worrying. | B．He’s angry about it. |
| C．He would like to use it. | D．He thinks it’s simple to use. |
| A．The Bad Description of Travellers | B．Same Body Language, Different Meanings |
| C．Strange Effects of Body Language | D．Funny Cultures in the World |
