Avoiding Cultural Gaffes

Here are some fun facts to avoid insulting people from cultures other than your own.

I'd also add a few others from my travels:

• Avoid shaking hands across a threshhold in Russia or Ukraine - it means you will break your connection with that person and will end up in a fight.
• Don't leave an empty bottle on the table in Eastern Europe - as soon as the last drop is poured, place the bottle on the floor.
• Teacups and glasses in Central Asia should be filled only halfway; filling a cup/glass all the way means you want the person to leave.
• It is expected that you will refuse an offer at least two times in some countries in the Middle East - it the offer is made the third time it is a genuine offer and not just a social courtesy.
• Never agree to pay the first price offered in a Turkish market - bargaining is an expected part of the transaciton. However, if you start bargaining, you are expected to carry through to purchase the item. Walking away after the bargaining begins is considered rude.
• Avoid using a finger to motion someone to come to you in the Middle East - this is an obscene gesture.
• Use a full hand downward motion to call a taxi or a bus to stop in Turkey or Russia. Raising your hand is a gesture of greeting.
  
• The number of kisses for greetings varies by countries and cultures - in much of Europe it is one or two cheek kisses (often just cheek to cheek, rather than lips to cheek), but some areas use three or four. Men greet each other by kissing on the lips in Bulgaria and some other Eastern European countries.
• Patting a child on the head is considered very rude in most Asian countries.
• Showing the bottom of your shoe/foot is considered rude in the Middle East, so men should be careful about sitting with their legs crossed with their foot resting on their knee. President Obama sat like this with Senator McCain in their first post-election meeting - which was likely to be seen as a sign of disrespect by those in the Arab world.