25 SURPRISING Ways To Offend People In Other Countries
Summary
TLDRThis 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
🌐 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.
🤔 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Cultural Communication Norms
💡Body Language
💡Voice Tone
💡Spoken Word
💡Gestures
💡Eye Contact
💡Tipping
💡Gift-Giving
💡Social Etiquette
💡Hand Gestures
💡Punctuality
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]
Посмотреть больше похожих видео
The Secret Language of Culture: How Body Language Differs Across the Globe #Culturalawareness
Global and Cultural Issues Affecting Communication
Varieties & Registers of Spoken and Written Language
7 Principles of Effective Communication & Intercultural Communication
Understanding Human Behavior
Cultural diversity in communication
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)