Recently Britain's national tourism agency issued guidelines to it's people on etiquettes of dealing with the thousands of foreign visitors who are expected to visit London for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
I do not know how true are these perceptions but they are funny and interesting. Here are some with my comments :
A smiling Japanese person is not necessarily happy. The Japanese tend to smile when angry, embarrassed, sad or disappointed. - When Heroshima & Nagasaki was bombed - the world saw a lot of smiling japanese...Wonder what do the Japanese do when they are actually happy?
When you meet an Arab man - never advice him . It's a great offense & it will appear you are trying to be bossy - MCPs indeed (err excuse me for this comment) anyways advices are not for free..charge them - you will earn petro dollars..!
Do not be alarmed if South Africans announce that they were held up by robots. To a South African the word robot means traffic lights. - let's take the South Africans to a robot museum!
Avoid saying "thank you" to a Chinese appreciation. Instead, politely deny an appreciation to show humility. - now I get it; why the Red Army is up in arms against the Thank you saying Americans, even if they do not mean it many times - thank you business is not welcomed!!
Donot wink at someone from Hongkong - control your eyes, your heart & actions can be freeflowing..
Donot mistake a Canadian for an American - Live & Breathe America, but we are a seperate nation - what's the difference, our French influence..
Lastly - do not hug an Indian, avoid personal touch in initial meetings - seems the world thinks that we Indians simply cann't think it straight when someone touches them. Anyways Dear fellow citizens: do not dishearten if you want to be hugged with your touch me not image; the warning is just for the initial meetings - they want us to meet the dear Brits again & again - afterall they ruled us for 200 years, they miss us a lot! :)
