Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the
World
by Roger E. Axtell
 |
First published 1997
Wiley
|
Roger Axtell, a former traveling salesman for Parker pens, has
written several Do’s and Taboos books based on his experiences abroad, and the cultural
differences in body language and customs. This book is an interesting and
useful examination of various gestures and body language as they are used
throughout the world. The author describes some of the most commonly used
gestures (greetings, farewells, insults etc.) and their respective meanings in
different cultures, special types of gestures (such as ASL), and gives
illustrated descriptions of gestures performed by different parts of the body
from head to toe. These are cross referenced by country, listing gestures and
body language covering all major geographic and cultural regions. A fun look at
the pitfalls awaiting the unaware traveller and how even US Presidents have succumbed
to the wrong use of gesture. There are revised and expanded editions of this
book.