Especially for Israelis: tourist destinations where it is not really recommended to make eye contact
In China you look in the eyes especially when you are angry, in Vietnam it is a sign of courtship, in Japan the children are educated to look towards the neck and in Kenya it all depends on whether you are in the city or in the village.
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Tourism
26/12/2021
Sunday, 26 December 2021, 08:05
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One of the surprises that await tourists who come to Israel is the prolonged staring, which characterizes many Israelis.
It happens on the street, at a traffic light, and in fact in the entire public space.
As is well known, in many places in the world, staring is considered really rude.
This is despite the fact that gaze is a fairly effective means of communication between humans.
The Travel website reports a study that found that about 65 percent of our communication is done through the gaze.
But while in some countries, eye contact will convey confidence and honesty, in other countries, staring will indicate rudeness and disrespect.
Here are some of the goals that you really should not look at directly and at length in the eyes of those in front of you.
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Eye contact will be established in defensive situations or in the midst of a dispute.
Chinese travelers (Photo: Reuters, Reuters)
China: Only when angry
if you want to have enemies, make eye contact with the people of China.
The Chinese see eye contact as a major means of communication, but not in the way it is understood in other cultures.
The reason: In China, eye contact is made when angry, and this is meant to challenge those in front of you.
Thus, eye contact will be created in defensive situations or in the midst of controversy.
You traveled in China and someone looked you in the eye?
You probably need to apologize for something.
Japan: Look at the neck
in Japan, if you did not make eye contact with your interlocutor, then by doing so you gave him respect.
And of course it works the other way around as well: eye contact during a conversation is considered rude.
In fact, even as children, the Japanese learn to focus their gaze on their interlocutor's neck.
That is, looking at it, but not directly and intrusively.
Direct eye contact to show interest in boys or girls of the opposite sex.
Vietnam (Photo: Reuters)
Vietnam: Fateful courtship In
Vietnam, direct eye contact is used only in very specific cases: to show interest in boys or girls of the opposite sex.
Therefore, be careful when you look into the eyes of someone who is not of your age.
And if members of the same sex look directly at each other, then this is a situation where someone is looking to start an argument.
To be on the safe side, just do not stare at your visit to the country.
Cambodia: Women look at the ground
in Cambodia, eye contact is not an integral part of most conversations.
The communication between the Cambodians is soft and indirect, as is the eye contact.
You can peek here and there in the eyes of your interlocutor while speaking, but certainly not maintain prolonged eye contact.
Traditionally, women in Cambodia tend to stare at the ground when conversing with men.
Some Indonesians may feel uncomfortable with prolonged eye contact (Photo: Reuters)
Kenya: In the city or in the village?
Kenya is a large and multicultural country where changes are constantly taking place.
Naturally, these changes also include the issue of perspective.
Sometimes eye contact will be necessary, and sometimes - will bring with it negative feelings.
It all depends on what areas you are in.
In general it can be said that in the big cities eye contact will be received with understanding, and in rural areas - vice versa.
To know how to drive, try to emulate what the person in front of you is doing.
Indonesia: Who is older?
In Indonesia, eye contact is an integral part of many conversations, but certainly not all.
In any case, the state avoids eye contact in conversation with someone older or of higher social status.
Therefore, as travelers, it is difficult to exactly understand the rules of the game.
If you are not sure - it is better to just ask.
Some Indonesians may feel uncomfortable with prolonged eye contact with Western tourists.
However, many are aware of this and will not be bothered by the matter.
Complex interest for tourists.
South Korea (Photo: ShutterStock)
Hong Kong: Low look
in Hong Kong, when you greet someone for the first time - one should minimize eye contact, or not use it at all.
And in any case, at the first meeting, look down as you shake hands.
If you are with a local and meet another person who is unfamiliar to you, wait until they introduce you.
Do not introduce yourself first.
South Korea: Complicated Laws
While there are certain situations where eye contact will be acceptable when conversing with others in South Korea, for a tourist, it will be difficult to know exactly what situations.
In any case, as elsewhere in this part of the world, eye contact will be acceptable when you are talking about someone younger than you or in a lower social class (a complex matter for understanding for tourists).
And what happens when you talk to someone younger than you but a senior official?
To be on the safe side, just avoid eye contact.
The big and wide smiles of the Thais have a place of honor (Photo: GettyImages, Mirco Lazzari)
Thailand: Smiles Yes, looks sometimes
As many tourists know, the big and wide smiles of the Thais have a place of honor in the non-verbal media.
It is a friendly and warm people, and eye contact is welcome when listening to another person, to show involvement in the conversation.
However, it is important to be careful and look away from time to time, so as not to overdo it and make the situation too intense for the other party.
Iran: You should know, if you happen to get
it right, your chances of traveling in Iran are nil, but it is interesting to know that eye contact is welcome in the country, as long as talking to friends or family.
However, eye contact with members of the opposite sex is not welcome, and lowering of the gaze is required.
In addition, young people avoid eye contact when talking to older people.
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