Mind Your (Body) Language!

[Tanja Cilia]

read the full post at:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20100409/tanja-cilia/mind-yo...

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Most of us know that it would be a faux pass for a man to kiss or hug a Muslim woman – or even to shake hands with her – even if they are related. But it stops there – because some men believe they have automatic “permission” to kiss female acquaintances of any other faith.

This is not true at all – some of us don’t like being kissed by male relatives or acquaintances – even when they do not have facial hair and/or halitosis.

Some people will bow rather than shake hands, for that is their custom; and the depth of the bow, and the position of the hands and feet during the obeisance, speak for themselves (if we know how to listen).
These days when you don’t need to travel to meet people of different cultures and faiths, it is good to be aware of social norms prevalent in other cultures and faiths. Just as you would not park “for five minutes” in front of someone’s garage door before knocking on the door and asking permission, it is repugnant to deliberately do things that are anathema to others.

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[Mike Handley]

Well said.