Here are a few common non-verbal gestures that you should know when in Vietnam

[ASEAN NOW News]

It helps to be prepared when arriving in a country for the first time especially as Asian countries have many different customs and ways of life.

 

Some gestures you may take for granted back home could be disrespectful or even seen as being very rude here in Vietnam.

 

Here listed are a few courtesies to add to your list.

 

Nodding: Greeting, affirmative reply; agreement.

 

 

Bowing: Greeting, great respect.

 

 

Avoiding eye contact: Showing respect to people senior in age/status/of opposite sex.

 

Winking: this is not decent, especially when directed at people of the other sex.

 

Smiling: Agreement; embarrassment; disbelief; mild disagreement; appreciation; apology.

 

Shaking hands: Friendly greeting between men (not the elderly); not customary between women/men & women; acceptable between Vietnamese woman & non-Vietnamese man.

 

Beckoning with index finger: Offensive to adults; threatening to children.

 

Holding hands with/arm over shoulder of same sex person: Friendly gesture; no sexual connotation.

 

Crossing arms: Sign of respect.

 

Putting one/both hands in pockets/on hips while talking: Arrogance; lack of respect.

 

Patting a person’s back, esp. those seniors in age/status: Disrespectful.

 

Pointing to others while talking: Disrespectful.

 

Whistling at performers: Displeasure.

 

Putting feet on table/sitting on desk while talking: Rude.

 

If you have come across any other gestures or customs do let us know?

 

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