Body language mistakes you need to avoid when overseas.
Here in Australia, it might be easy to understand what someone’s body language means. However, the wrong moves could cause a problem elsewhere. Here are some physical faux-pas to be aware of while overseas.

Smiling
In places such as Eastern Europe and India smiling is associated with foolishness, untrustworthiness or lack of intelligence, and in countries with high corruption levels, it can be taken for dishonest intent. Meanwhile, many Australians misinterpret Chinese, Japanese and Korean smiles as signs of satisfaction or pleasure, but smiling is far more likely to be signalling emotions ranging from embarrassment and polite disbelief to total anger. 

Using your left hand
Body language mistakes include use of the left hand which is frowned upon in many cultures, where it’s considered unclean and assigned to hygiene only. That attitude is prevalent throughout Islamic countries, the Indian subcontinent and West Africa, especially in Ghana. Handing over or receiving items, touching someone, eating or pointing with your left hand is considered offensive, or even taboo. The good news? Writing with your left hand attracts admiring comments about your intelligence from the Chinese.

Bowing
In eastern Asia, bowing traditionally serves in place of handshakes, but isn’t just a greeting. It may signal sorrow, sympathy, congratulations or thanks. Chinese and Taiwanese bow on occasion, Koreans and Japanese frequently. To do it right, keep your back and legs straight and bend from the waist, men with palms behind them, women with arms folded in front. Deeper bows convey more respect or emotion. A single bow is enough, although repeated bows show particular respect or apology.

Affectionate touching
East Asians aren’t tactile, especially with relative strangers. Europeans get less touchy-feely the further north you go. Patting arms or knees, putting an arm around shoulders, greeting kisses, or other supposed signs of friendliness should be avoided. The same is true of mixed-sex interactions in Islamic countries; but between men a lack of contact might be considered cold and aloof.

Talking with your hands
Body language mistakes include indiscriminately waving your arms about while overseas, unless in Mediterranean or Latin American countries. Many Asians consider gesticulation wild and impolite. They may misconstrue it as a sign of anger. Pointing is considered rude. Standing with hands on hips and you’ll be considered obstinate or aggressive; the stance shows defiance in Indonesian wayang puppet shows, for example. While seated for a meal in Asia, best keep your hands politely in your lap unless eating.

Displaying your feet
Fact is, nobody the world over wants strangers’ feet anywhere near them, but feet are particularly sensitive in some places. It’s an insult to point at a Thai with your sole, even inadvertently if your legs are crossed. The same is true across South-East Asia, Pakistan and Arab countries. Keep your feet flat on the floor while seated, or curled towards the body if you’re reclined or seated on the floor. Tapping feet, swinging legs and placing feet on furniture is considered uncouth almost everywhere.

Direct looks
In Western cultures, direct eye contact implies friendliness and sincerity, but don’t expect other people to think so. The Chinese are about on par, but many other Asians – especially the Japanese – find direct looks offensive or embarrassing. Meanwhile we might in turn feel awkward in much of continental Europe, where eye contact is expected when toasting with drinks. Its lingering length seems uncomfortable – if not aggressive or flirtatious – to those unused to it.

Waving
Generally, Australians wave to attract attention or say goodbye at a distance. But waving at someone – usually a friend or child – is a way of saying hello in places such as China and Vietnam, and is performed up close. In some cultures such as West African, on the other hand, waving in front of someone’s face is offensive.