Speaking Un-spoken Languages

This picture was taken in China by my uncle.

People can say so much without even opening their mouths. In class, we discussed gestures that are interpreted differently depending on a person's native country. I had no idea that certain gestures could be offensive to someone in another nation! A couple years ago, my dad took a trip to Egypt. Unlike Americans, Egyptians expect tips for a lot more than just serving food in a restaurant or parking a car in a valet service. Doing a favor for someone (i.e. showing someone where bathroom is or holding a door open) is worthy of gratuity. If a person does not tip, he or she is considered rude or disrespectful. On the other hand, the Chinese are less greedy. In fact, when my dad took a trip to China last year, he said the Chinese were very hospitable. My dad went on the business trip with his brother, an experienced traveller. Since my uncle had been to China multiple times before, he insisted that my dad learn Chinese before going on the trip because the Chinese are honored when someone takes the time to learn their language. When my dad and uncle would go to dinner with the business associates, the associates would wait until the guests ate before they would eat the meals themselves. My dad felt bad because he would wait to eat until the server brought him steamed rice, but the Chinese insisted on waiting! Both of these experiences were culture shock for my dad. After living in America and following American rituals for such a long time, it was a strange adjustment for my dad! My uncle does A LOT of traveling in the Middle East, so I can find out about more cultural differences.