25 SURPRISING Ways To Offend People In Other Countries

Summary

This video script from 'Lists 25' explores 25 surprising ways to offend people in other countries, highlighting the importance of understanding cultural communication norms. It covers a range of behaviors from finishing your meal in Thailand to giving the thumbs up in Australia, which can be seen as rude or vulgar in different cultures. The script emphasizes the significance of body language, voice tone, and spoken words in communication and serves as a guide for those traveling or interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ In some countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Russia, finishing all your food can imply that your host didn't provide enough.
• 🙅‍♀️ In Bulgaria, shaking your head side to side means 'yes' and nodding means 'no', which is the opposite of many Western countries.
• 👇 Avoid crook your finger to call someone in the Philippines and Japan as it's considered rude or associated with death.
• 🖐 In Greece, putting your hand up to stop someone is a significant insult with historical roots.
• 🤝 In the Netherlands, asking someone what they do for a living is considered classist and impolite.
• 🤲 Eating with your left hand is taboo in the Middle East, India, and many African countries due to its association with hygiene.
• 🗣️ Refusing food or refreshments in most Arab countries is seen as extremely rude, even if you're not hungry.
• 🚫 The three-fingered salute from 'The Hunger Games' is illegal in Thailand due to its political connotations.
• 🎶 The 'devil horns' hand gesture, common at rock concerts in the US, can be offensive in Portugal and Brazil where it implies infidelity.
• 🍷 In Germany, bringing wine to a host's house can be seen as an insult to the wine they are serving.
• 🙅‍♂️ In Thailand, it's disrespectful to pat someone on the head, as it's believed to be where the spirit resides.
• 👀 Maintaining eye contact can be interpreted differently; in France, it might be seen as romantic, while in Brazil, avoiding it shows respect.
• 👍 The thumbs up, a positive sign in the US, is offensive in parts of Australia where it's equivalent to giving the middle finger.
• 👟 Wearing casual attire like flip-flops and sweatpants in public is seen as disrespectful in many European countries and Japan.
• ✌️ The peace sign with the palm facing you is offensive in the UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, similar to giving the middle finger.
• 🤞 In Turkey, avoid pointing the sole of your foot towards someone, as it's a sign of disrespect.
• 😆 In Japan, laughing with your mouth open is considered rude, while in India, open laughter is encouraged for its health benefits.
• ⏰ Punctuality is valued in Germany, but in Argentina, showing up on time can be seen as rude, akin to being early.

Q & A

What does the percentage breakdown of communication (55% body language, 38% voice tone, 7% spoken word) imply about misunderstandings across cultures?

This implies that misunderstandings are quite common due to the significant role of non-verbal communication, which can vary greatly between cultures.

Why is finishing all the food on your plate considered offensive in some countries?

In countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Russia, finishing all your food can imply that your host did not provide enough, which is seen as a failure on their part.

How do head movements for 'yes' and 'no' differ in Bulgaria compared to the United States?

In Bulgaria, nodding your head means 'no' and shaking it side to side means 'yes', which is the opposite of the United States.

What is the cultural significance of crooking your finger in the Philippines and Japan?

In the Philippines, crooking your finger is how you call dogs, and in Japan, it symbolizes death, making it a highly offensive gesture in both cultures.

Why is putting your hand up to stop someone considered insulting in Greece?

In Greece, this gesture is linked to the Byzantine era when it was used to smear excrement or charcoal on prisoners' faces, making it a significant insult.

How does asking about one's occupation differ in social norms between the Netherlands and the United States?

In the Netherlands, asking about someone's occupation is seen as classist and rude, while in the United States, it's a common conversation starter.

What is considered arrogant in Finland when it comes to body language?

Crossing your arms is viewed as a purposefully arrogant gesture in Finland, which could lead to social conflict.

Why is using your left hand for eating offensive in the Middle East, India, and many African countries?

In these regions, the left hand is traditionally associated with cleaning oneself after using the toilet, making it inappropriate for eating.

What is the implication of referring to oneself as 'American' in South American countries?

It can be seen as haughty and rude, as it implies that the United States is the only America, disregarding the existence and significance of other countries in the Americas.

How does the act of refusing food or refreshments differ in cultural significance between Arab countries and the United States?

In Arab countries, refusing food is considered very rude, as it's seen as a rejection of hospitality, whereas in the United States, it might be seen as polite to decline out of consideration for the host.

Why is giving the three-fingered Hunger Games salute illegal in Thailand?

It became a symbol of opposition during Thailand's military coup in 2012, leading to its outlawing.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Cultural Missteps: Offending Unintentionally

This paragraph discusses the ease with which one can unintentionally offend people in different countries due to misunderstandings of cultural communication norms. It emphasizes that communication is a complex mix of body language, voice tone, and spoken words. The video, hosted by Mike from Lists 25, highlights 25 surprising ways to offend people in other countries, starting with finishing all your food in Thailand, the Philippines, and Russia, which can imply that the host did not provide enough. It also covers the opposite meanings of head movements in Bulgaria, the rudeness of beckoning someone with a crooked finger in the Philippines and Japan, and the historical insult of stopping someone with an open palm in Greece. The paragraph serves as an introduction to the cultural faux pas that are explored in the video.

05:01

🤔 Social Etiquette Around the World

This paragraph continues the exploration of cultural differences that can lead to offense, focusing on various social norms and etiquette. It covers a range of topics including the inappropriateness of asking about one's occupation in the Netherlands due to its social welfare system, the significance of not eating with the left hand in the Middle East and Africa, and the rudeness of refusing food or refreshments in Arab countries. The paragraph also touches on the three-fingered salute being outlawed in Thailand due to its political connotations, the different meanings of hand gestures like the 'devil horns' and 'tipping' in various countries, and the importance of gift-giving etiquette in Asian cultures. It concludes with advice on avoiding certain behaviors like patting someone on the head in Thailand, maintaining appropriate eye contact in France and Brazil, and the different interpretations of common gestures like the thumbs up and peace sign in different regions.

Keywords

💡Cultural Communication Norms

Cultural communication norms refer to the unwritten rules and behaviors that are considered polite and acceptable within a specific culture or society. In the video, these norms are highlighted as crucial to understanding how to avoid offending people in different countries. For instance, in Bulgaria, shaking your head side to side means 'yes', which is the opposite of the United States, illustrating the importance of knowing these norms to avoid misunderstandings.

💡Body Language

Body language is a significant part of non-verbal communication, accounting for 55% of communication according to the video. It includes gestures, facial expressions, and postures. The video uses the example of putting your hand up to stop someone, which is common in many parts of the world but considered an insult in Greece, showing how body language can vary greatly across cultures.

💡Voice Tone

Voice tone is another component of non-verbal communication, making up 38% of communication as mentioned in the video. It refers to the pitch, volume, and quality of a person's voice, which can convey emotions and attitudes. The video does not provide specific examples of voice tone, but it implies that it plays a role in how one might offend someone in another country.

💡Spoken Word

The spoken word is the verbal part of communication, constituting only 7% according to the video. It includes the actual words and phrases used in conversation. The video emphasizes that while the spoken word is a small percentage of communication, it can still lead to offense if used inappropriately in different cultural contexts.

💡Gestures

Gestures are a form of body language that can have different meanings in different cultures. The video provides several examples, such as crook your finger to call someone, which is offensive in the Philippines and Japan, or the three-fingered salute from 'The Hunger Games', which is outlawed in Thailand due to its association with political opposition.

💡Eye Contact

Eye contact is a form of non-verbal communication that can convey sincerity, interest, or respect. However, the video explains that in some cultures, like France, maintaining eye contact can be seen as a romantic or sexual advance, while in Brazil, avoiding eye contact is a sign of deference, demonstrating the cultural variability of this communication norm.

💡Tipping

Tipping is a practice where customers give extra money to service providers as a sign of appreciation for good service. The video points out that while common in the US, tipping is not customary in some countries like Japan and South Korea, where it can be seen as an insult, highlighting the cultural differences in service industry norms.

💡Gift-Giving

Gift-giving is a social custom that involves presenting items without the expectation of payment or anything in return. The video explains that in some Asian cultures, like Japan and China, it is polite to refuse a gift several times before accepting it, as accepting immediately can be seen as greedy and rude, reflecting the importance of modesty in these cultures.

💡Social Etiquette

Social etiquette refers to the rules or standards for polite behavior in society. The video discusses various social etiquettes, such as not patting someone on the head in Thailand, which is considered disrespectful, or not wearing casual clothes like flip-flops and sweatpants in public in many European countries and Japan, where it is seen as disrespectful and sloppy.

💡Hand Gestures

Hand gestures are a form of non-verbal communication that can convey a range of meanings. The video provides examples of hand gestures that can be offensive in different cultures, such as the 'devil horns' gesture in Portugal and Brazil, which can imply infidelity, or the peace sign in the UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, which is considered offensive when the palm faces the person.

💡Punctuality

Punctuality is the quality of arriving at the agreed time for an appointment. The video contrasts the importance of punctuality in Germany, where being a few minutes late is seen as very rude, with the cultural norms in Argentina, where showing up on time can be seen as rude, almost like being early, illustrating the cultural differences in time management and respect.

Highlights

Finishing your meal in some countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Russia can indicate that your host failed to provide enough food.

In Bulgaria, shaking your head means 'yes' and nodding means 'no', which is the opposite of the United States.

Crooking your finger to beckon someone in the Philippines or Japan is considered rude as it's a gesture for calling dogs or symbolizes death.

In Greece, putting your hand up to stop someone is a significant insult with historical roots in the Byzantine era.

In the Netherlands, asking what someone does for a living is seen as classist and impolite, unlike in the US where it's a common conversation starter.

In Finland, crossing your arms is viewed as a sign of arrogance, which could lead to social misunderstandings.

In the Middle East, India, and Africa, using your left hand for eating is taboo as it's traditionally associated with hygiene in the bathroom.

Referring to yourself as 'American' in South America can be seen as haughty and dismissive of other countries in the Americas.

In Arab countries, refusing food or refreshments is extremely rude, even if you're not hungry or thirsty.

The three-fingered salute from 'The Hunger Games' is outlawed in Thailand due to its association with political opposition.

The 'devil horns' hand gesture, common at rock concerts in the US, can imply infidelity in Portugal and Brazil.

Tipping is not customary in Japan and South Korea, and can be seen as an insult to the service provider.

In Germany, bringing wine to your host's home can be taken as an insult to the wine they are serving.

In Japan and China, it's expected to refuse a gift several times before accepting it to show politeness.

Patting someone on the head in Thailand is considered disrespectful as it's believed to offend the spirit that resides there.

In France, maintaining eye contact during a conversation can be interpreted as a romantic or sexual advance.

In Australia, Scotland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, sitting in the back of a taxi may be seen as rude.

Wearing casual attire like flip-flops and sweatpants in public is viewed as disrespectful in many European countries and Japan.

The peace sign with the palm facing you is considered offensive in the UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, similar to giving the middle finger in the US.

In Turkey, pointing the sole of your foot towards someone or putting your hands in your pockets is a sign of disrespect.

Crossed fingers in Vietnam symbolize a vulgar female body part, so it's best to avoid this gesture.

In Japan, laughing with your mouth open is considered rude and horse-like, contrasting with the positive view of laughter in India.

In Germany, being late is seen as a sign of disrespect, while in Argentina showing up on time can be seen as rude.

Transcripts

you're not gonna believe some of the

surprising ways you can offend people in

other countries it's a lot easier than

you may think

usually you'll offend someone by

misunderstanding the cultural

communication norms found in the country

given that communication is 55% body

language 38% voice tone and 7% spoken

word these misunderstandings shouldn't

be that surprising nevertheless you

should still watch out for them

languages and communication norms vary

across different countries and societies

and if you don't learn how these norms

differ

things can get interesting as a note

since lists 25 is based in the US other

countries to us means countries outside

the US with that said I'm Mike with

lists 25 and let's check out these 25

surprising ways to offend people in

other countries

[Music]

25 in some countries finishing your meal

indicates that your host failed to

provide you with enough food Thailand

the Philippines and Russia are among

those countries so I'm like in the u.s.

leave a little food on your plate

although you should already do that in

the US - I should do that 24 in Bulgaria

not in your head means no and shaking

your head side to side means yes you

know the exact opposite of the United

States so good luck with that 23 you

know how you can crook your finger to

someone someone yeah don't do that in

the Philippines

it's how they call their dogs also in

Japan that means death so don't do it

there either 22 putting your hand up to

stop someone is pretty common in many

parts of the world not in Greece it's a

pretty big insult there dating back to

the Byzantine era when people were

allowed to smear poop or charcoal in

prisoners faces using their open palms

how is this stuff a society hangs onto

for hundreds of years 21 in small

countries with social welfare systems

such as the Netherlands asking what you

do for a living is considered classist

and rude in the u.s. it's one of the

most common icebreakers me my youtuber

for a living you probably already knew

that 20 in Finland crossing your arms is

considered a purposefully arrogant

granted that can mean arrogance in the

u.s. too but no one's gonna start a bar

fight about it here usually 19 don't eat

with your left hand in the Middle East

India or most countries in Africa in

these countries the left hand is

traditionally associated with wiping

oneself in the bathroom 18

don't say you're from America okay first

of all the US isn't the only country in

the Americas our country is the United

States of America not just America North

and South America our continents

secondly if you go to one of these other

countries in say South America and

describe yourself as American when you

really mean you're from the United

States it's really haughty and rude

implying that South America isn't worthy

of the title not only are we not the

only country in the world we're not the

only country in the Americas 17 in most

Arab countries refusing food or

refreshments is incredibly rude even if

you're not hungry or thirsty in the US

this just might seem polite no no don't

worry don't worry don't bother yourself

I just want to visit but that would be

considered so very rude there 16

don't give the three-fingered hunger

game salute in Thailand

it's outlawed due to becoming a symbol

of the opposition during the country's

military coup in 2012 15 devil horns are

common at most rock concerts in the US

and is the University of Texas's

signature hand gesture but in some

places Portugal in Brazil for example it

can indicate that uh mm-hmm someone's

wife has been less than faithful 14

tipping is not common outside of the US

and can actually be considered rude in

Japan and South Korea it's an insult 13

don't bring wine to your host in Germany

while in the u.s. it's pretty customary

to bring a bottle of wine in Germany it

can be taken as a slight against the

wine your hosts are providing you 12 in

some Asian cultures Japan and China for

example you're expected to refuse a gift

several times before accepting it to

accept a gift right away is greedy and

rude 11

in Thailand it's a social no no to Pat

someone even a child on the head as we

Jews Buddhists believe that's where the

spirit lives and he can't pat someone's

spirit it's not nice 10 in the u.s.

we're taught that making eye contact

during conversation conveys sincerity

but in some places like France it can be

considered a first move romantically or

sexually and in places like Brazil

avoiding eye contact is a way of showing

deference to someone 9 in the US a

thumbs up is a good sign in parts of

Australia head means of your BOM 8 in

the US people generally sit in the back

of a cab uber or lyft but in Australia

Scotland the Netherlands and New Zealand

that may be considered rude and

egalitarian 7 in South Korea it's

considered rude to wave at a person or

summon a cab by waving with your palm

out that's how they summon dogs their

six dressing to casually flip flops

sweatpants wrinkly clothing yoga pants

in public is seen as disrespectful and

sloppy in many European countries and

Japan well who the hell is wearing

flip-flops sweatpants wrinkly clothing

and yoga pants all at the same time

that's just not fashion 5 in the UK

Australia Ireland and New Zealand

throwing up a peace sign with the palm

facing you is not seen as peaceful it's

actually the same as giving the middle

finger in the US why legend says the two

fingered salute started with longbowman

fighting for England during the Hundred

Years War when the French would capture

the archers they would cut off those two

fingers making them ineffective

therefore showing those two fingers

still being intact was a gesture of

defiance against the enemy however

there's no historical sources to support

this legend for when in Turkey never

point the sole of your foot towards a

person also don't put your hands in your

pockets or on their hips as this is a

sign of disrespect 3 in Vietnam crossed

fingers is the symbol of

a specific female body part so don't do

that there

unless you're intending to be vulgar but

you shouldn't go to another country as a

visitor and be vulgar just so we're

clear - don't laugh with your mouth open

in Japan it's considered rude and

horse-like well okay then

conversely in India they have groups

that meet together and just laugh out

loud because laughter is very good for

you

I should move to India I'm just gonna

laugh told ya it's good India

that's my good India that's creepy one

being late and being on time in Germany

if you're just a few minutes late it's

considered very rude as if you value

your time more than others but in places

like Argentina if you show up on time it

can be considered a bit rude almost like

being early enjoying our lists be sure

to click that subscribe button in the

bottom right so you don't miss out on

new ones every Monday to Friday share

them with your friends and help us

consistently conciliate curiosity and if

you want even more lists check out these

three videos here or just head to our

website at least 25 calm

[Music]