From a handout that accompanies a weeklong course on Iraq’s customs and history given to U.S. Marines as part of their training. The course, devised by the Marine Corps Division Schools, was introduced last September with the intention of improving relations between Iraqis and U.S. forces.
Excerpt:
Physical contact
Touching among same sex is not considered homosexual. Good friends often hold hands as a sign of friendship.
They keep no distance between individuals, even when sitting.
If you move back they will just close the distance again.
Gestures
To signal a vehicle to stop, place arm in front of you, palm down, and then move entire arm up and down. If you simply face the palm toward a person, it means hello, not stop, as in America.
“That’s enough, thank you”—patting heart a few times.
The thumbs-up used to be obscene, but children are accepting it and using it. They also know the thumbs-down.
The okay sign that Americans make is considered bad. It is an evil eye.
more examples via: Harper's Weekly
Posted by Cieciel at August 25, 2004 08:30 AM