Fasten Seat Belts, a light hearted guide to avoid misunderstandings while travelling. An innovative way to learn languages and pick up cultural tips.

 

Travel by Theme / Body Language

In Germany & Austria, do not twist your finger on the side of your head...

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Austria, Germany

Count to 10 using only one hand

Body Language, China

In Belgium and France, slapping the back of the wrist means "let's go"

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Belgium, France

Use only your right hand for eating, giving and receiving things

India, Body Language, Business, Insults, Table manners

Avoid laughing out loud in public

Body Language, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Insults

In Bulgaria, moving one's head from left to right means 'yes' and up and...

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Bulgaria

In Greece, you may see people mock spitting, for luck: « ftou ftou ftou...

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Greece

In Turkey, it is rude to show the soles of your shoes

Body Language, Insults, Table manners, Do's & Don'ts, Turkey

Wiggling the head can mean ‘yes’, ‘no’ or anything in between

India, Body Language, Thailand, Business

People of the same sex often walk arm in arm or hand in hand

India, Body Language, Vietnam, Miscellaneous

Speak respectfully about the King and Queen and be still when hearing...

Body Language, Thailand, Business

People avoid saying no

India, Body Language, Japan, China, Thailand, Business

In Italy, people touch iron instead of wood for good luck

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Italy

If you pass something to someone else, use both hands

Body Language, Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Insults

In Greece, holding your hand palm out towards someone is an insult: the...

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Greece

Avoid strong eye contact

India, Body Language, Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, Business, Insults

Tap three fingers on the table to say thank you for tea

Body Language, China, Business, Table manners

In Turkey, the "OK" sign is very rude.

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Turkey

In the Netherlands, tapping your finger on the center of the forehead...

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Netherlands

In Germany, the thumbs up sign means "1"

Body Language, Do's & Don'ts, Germany

In the UK, the V-sign with the palm facing inward is extremely rude

Body Language, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, United Kingdom

Save ‘face’ and smile no matter how you feel!

India, Body Language, Japan, Vietnam, Business, Insults

In France and Belgium, when someone 'twists' his nose, he is saying that...

Body Language, Bar Culture, Insults, Do's & Don'ts, Belgium, France

Don’t reveal the soles of your feet to other people

India, Body Language, Thailand, Vietnam, Insults