Before You Travel, Learn How Body Language Drastically Changes Around The World

If you ever traveled, you’ve probably tried to pick up a few key phrases in another country’s native language. What you might not have considered learning about is body language. Most of us take our gestures for granted, yet in some places, giving a thumbs up might earn you a slap, and nodding might actually mean “no.” (Both of these are true in Greece.)

This handy infographic serves as a crash course in what to do and what not to do when you’re in certain areas of the world. If you’re a foreigner, the natives will probably be more lenient if you mess up, but it’s always nice to make an effort. The infographic was created using the information collected by Richard Lewis for his book When Cultures Collide: Leading Across Cultures.