Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World [Paperback]

Roger E. Axtell (Author), Mike Fornwald (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471536725 | ISBN-13: 978-0471536727 | Publication Date: August 1991 | Edition: 1st

Packed with anecdotes and hypothetical scenarios as well as historical facts and scientific theory, Gestures covers body language from head to toe--from greetings and farewells, to endearments and insults. Also includes rules of decorum such as how close to stand, eye contact, and when, what, and how to touch. 140 illustrations.ions.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

As featured in the New York Times and Reader's Digest "An eye-opener into the pitfalls awaiting the unaware traveler." -Washington Post "Can save the innocent abroad from great gobs of serious trouble." -Chicago Tribune Before you raise your hand to signal the waiter, extend your thumb to hitchhike, or flash the "O.K." sign with thumb and forefinger, Stop! Think of where you are and exactly what you are trying to say-otherwise you could create an international incident. Remember when President Bush thought he was flashing the "V" for Victory sign to cheering Australians? (See inside.) Exploring the ins and outs of body language from head to toe, this newly revised and expanded edition of Roger Axtell's indispensable guide takes you all around the world of gestures-what they mean, how to use them, and when to avoid them. This latest edition includes:
* Updates about the 200 most popular gestures and signals-and dozens of new examples
* New sections covering special gestures-from American Sign Language and tai chi to flirting and kissing
* Information to guide you through gestures country by country-from Switzerland to Japan, Nigeria to the Netherlands
* Amusing anecdotes and helpful hypothetical scenarios --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

ROGER E. AXTELL is a popular after-dinner speaker and the bestselling author of seven Do's and Taboos books (all available from Wiley), including Do's and Taboos Around the World and Do's and Taboos of Preparing for Your Trip Abroad. He lives in Wisconsin. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 1st edition (August 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471536725
• ISBN-13: 978-0471536727
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,284,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful, interesting and funny, November 19, 2001

By 

Justo S. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World (Paperback)

This is a nice book. If you are going to travel abroad or you meet foreign people, you would like to know what these people understand from your body language. Of course, the book also gives you good material for chatting with friends from anywhere (including your own coutry).

Don't expect the book to tell you what a gesture means in every part of the world or to show you every gesture used in some part of the world. The book of course doesn't do such a hard task, though it tries: it explains you the gestures that are generalized (or most common) in a country. However, be always aware that there are exceptions and gestures you should know and are not included in the book.

Below are some questions you'll answer reading the book. In some cases the book gives you also the explanation about the gesture (what it comes from).

Where should you avoid the "OK sign"?
Where should a man enter before a woman?
Why Latin people get closer to you when talking?
How should you bow in Japan?

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must have for any traveler, June 24, 2000

By 

J. Osborne (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World (Paperback)

Many people believe that the gestures we use in the United States are universal, and translate the same way around the world. In "The Do's and Taboos of Body Lanugage", Roger Axtell shows us that this isn't always true. This book is ideal for anyone who does a great deal of traveling and often visits different cultures. It not only gives a breakdown of each major country and what you should and should not do while visiting, but a breakdown for each gesture as well. The author gives the reader a good idea of how the gesture is done through, both description, and illustration.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High interest for middle school students, September 15, 2001

By 

Mark J. Falco (Willimantic, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World (Paperback)

I've added the three Roger Axtell titles to my classroom
for use during silent reading period. My students have learned
a lot about cultural differences and what is deemed acceptable
social behavior around the world.