You've worked your way down the body, and you might feel like you're standing on solid ground, ready to go forth and not offend other cultures with your nonverbal gestures. Not so fast. The legs and the feet — and where they're positioned — are every bit as important in the study of international body language as any other part of the body.

Hold It Right There!

In Chapter 17, you'll read all about proxemics, or what is commonly refer to as personal space. The more intimate the relationship, the less personal space you need between yourself and the other person. Strangers in this country tend to stay about three feet apart when walking down a city street; close friends give each other about a foot and a half in the same situation. Because Americans tend to develop close relationships in all aspects of their life — personal and professional — it's not unusual to see two colleagues standing very close to each other as they discuss business. Mexicans and Middle Easterners also tend to stand quite close to one another, whether the conversation is business or pleasure. This isn't the case around the globe, however.

Asians and many Africans tend to give each other much more space than Americans do — about three feet — no matter what the relationship. This is especially important to know in situations where creeping into someone's personal space might seem intimidating or aggressive. For instance, let's say you're a professor trying to help one of your foreign students grasp the concept of what you're teaching. If the student happens to be Asian or African, it's wise to keep several feet between the two of you. Any closer, and the student may feel as uncomfortable and/or threatened as you would if a stranger were standing right next to you.

Filthy Feet

Let's go back to your visit to India. After you've apologized profusely for your head-smacking debacle, you settle back into your chair and resume the friendly discussion you were having with your friend. You're feeling tired and relaxed, and you do the old Western male figure-four leg-cross. And once again, you find that you're on the receiving end of some very dirty looks.

Good gravy, what have you done this time? In some cultures (particularly in the Middle East and in parts of Asia), the sole of the foot is considered to be filthy. Displaying the bottom of your foot to someone else implies that the other person is lower than the dirt on your shoe. You'll have to do some pretty fancy footwork to convince the family that this wasn't your intention, and then you might want to take those feet for a walk … all the way back home.

Travel should be interesting and exciting, not anxiety-provoking. One sure way to make yourself feel unwelcome in another culture is to use inappropriate body language while visiting. There's a great big world out there and a lot to see and learn … start by learning how to charm the locals in the country you're headed to! Continue by learning how not to be offensive. When you take your show on the road, proceed with caution! Ease into the culture, take note of other nonverbal interactions, and do as the Romans (or Indians, or Russians) do.