posted on Jul, 14 2003 @ 10:33 PM
...looking someone in the eye, in some cultures (such as mine, and that of most Pacific Cultures) is NOT a sign of respect at all...it is more
respectful to look away or down, to show your respect to that person by NOT meeting them at 'eye-level'. This is not really about being
submissive...this isn't about lowering your own strength, but RAISING that of the person you respect.
...in some places around here, if you look someone (particularily a stranger) directly in the eye...and maintain eye-contact with them
constantly...YOU might think you are being respectful, YOU might think its the right way to be...but I assure you this, you are very likely to get
your face smashed in...
...I know that appears to be a huge over-reaction...but one has to understand just how much of a cultural insult direct eyecontact is for some.
There are other 'ideosyncrasies' to be aware of with certain cultures (such as Mine and other Pacifc Cultures)...for instance, when I watch
Europeans greet eachother, they often think nothing about touching someone about the head. To us Maori, the head is the most sacred part of the
body...and it is considered almost a cultural/spiritual attack to touch someones head without expressed premission, or without first being a loved
one. Instruments that touch the head, such as combs or hats etc are also considered sacred...so it is not culturally viable to many Maori to use
someone elses comb, or touch their hats. Sitting on their pillow or anywhere near where their head rests is also seen as a breach of 'tapu'
(sacredness).
Displaying of ones back is also a factor to keep in mind. According to my cultural beliefs, you try your hardest NOT to display your back to someone,
particularily if you are speaking with them etc. It is a sign of disrespect. When we have gatherings, we tend to sit in circles, so we are facing one
another...and when we move about the room we are always conscious of where our back is facing, so as not to intentionally cause offence to someone.
Every culture has 'acceptable behaviours'...it must be kept in mind that these behaviours are not always uniform across Cultures.
Peace,
ALIEN
[Edited on 15-7-2003 by alien]