Gestures The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World

by Axtell, Roger E.

• ISBN13: 9780471183426
• ISBN10: 0471183423
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-10-28
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

As featured in the New York Times and Reader's Digest "An eye-opener into the pitfalls awaiting the unaware traveler." -Washington Post "Can save the innocent abroad from great gobs of serious trouble." -Chicago Tribune Before you raise your hand to signal the waiter, extend your thumb to hitchhike, or flash the "O.K." sign with thumb and forefinger, Stop! Think of where you are and exactly what you are trying to say-otherwise you could create an international incident. Remember when President Bush thought he was flashing the "V" for Victory sign to cheering Australians? (See inside.) Exploring the ins and outs of body language from head to toe, this newly revised and expanded edition of Roger Axtell's indispensable guide takes you all around the world of gestures-what they mean, how to use them, and when to avoid them. This latest edition includes: * Updates about the 200 most popular gestures and signals-and dozens of new examples * New sections covering special gestures-from American Sign Language and tai chi to flirting and kissing * Information to guide you through gestures country by country-from Switzerland to Japan, Nigeria to the Netherlands * Amusing anecdotes and helpful hypothetical scenarios

Author Biography

ROGER E. AXTELL is a popular after-dinner speaker and the bestselling author of seven Do’s and Taboos books (all available from Wiley), including Do’s and Taboos Around the World and Do’s and Taboos of Preparing for Your Trip Abroad. He lives in Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix	(3)
Acknowledgments	xii	(3)
Introduction	xv
1 The Power of Gestures	1	(14)
The Science of Gestures	5	(2)
Gestures Are Important	7	(6)
Conclusion	13	(2)
2 The Most Popular Gestures	15	(38)
Greetings	17	(8)
Farewells	25	(2)
Beckoning	27	(3)
Insulting Gestures	30	(9)
Touching	39	(4)
The "O.K." Sign	43	(2)
Thumbs-Up Gesture	45	(2)
"V" for Victory	47	(2)
Vertical Horns, or "Hook 'em Horns"	49	(4)
3 Special Types of Gestures	53	(10)
American Sign Language (ASL)	54	(2)
Tai Chi	56	(1)
Flirting	57	(2)
Kissing	59	(2)
A Challenge to Readers	61	(2)
4 Gestures: Head to Toe	63	(54)
Head and Face	64	(3)
Eyes	67	(3)
Ears	70	(1)
Nose	71	(4)
Cheeks	75	(1)
Lips and Mouth	76	(3)
Chin	79	(2)
Arms	81	(4)
Hands	85	(20)
Fingers	105	(6)
Legs and Feet	111	(3)
Full Body	114	(3)
5 The Ultimate Gesture	117	(4)
6 The Innocent Abroad's Shortlist	121	(8)
7 Country-by-Country Listing	129	(104)
Europe	131	(31)
Middle East and Africa	162	(13)
Pacific and Asia	175	(33)
Central and South America	208	(18)
United States and Canada	226	(7)
Additional Reading	233	(2)
Index	235