The reading shows that gestures and body language used to be taken for granted, but they can have completely different meanings in other cultures. What used to seem polite might actually be offensive somewhere else.
2. Some countries used to interpret common gestures very differently.
For example, a thumbs-up used to mean something positive in North America, but in places like Australia or the Middle East, it used to be seen as rude. This proves how even simple hand signals aren’t universal.
3. Travelers used to make mistakes by not understanding local customs.
Without cultural awareness, people used to offend others unintentionally. Learning these non-verbal differences helps avoid those misunderstandings and promotes respectful communication.