← Back to topic list
As far as the Chinese are concerned, I can never be sure and could never work it out - they smile when they try to be polite and when they feel embarrassed, or when they don't understand what's being said.
#14
Ukrainians don't smile just for the sake of it, but they seem to be the most friendly and hospitable people by western standards, at least those I met. Being able to speak the language breaks the ice. Or, where else would you get invited to people's homes and dink vodka together being a complete stranger.
Just as in Thailand, where the smile is the stand in for a range of true emotions, so the frown, serious expression, etc could be in other cultures --- some of which posters here have listed
Go in Peace .. Gentle traveler from the Land of Snows/
← Back to topic list
16
Different ideas about smiles in all the posts.As far as the Chinese are concerned, I can never be sure and could never work it out - they smile when they try to be polite and when they feel embarrassed, or when they don't understand what's being said.
#14
Ukrainians don't smile just for the sake of it, but they seem to be the most friendly and hospitable people by western standards, at least those I met. Being able to speak the language breaks the ice. Or, where else would you get invited to people's homes and dink vodka together being a complete stranger.
21
Macau! LOL. The only people I know who smile there are the tourists and the foreign workers. I dont know but I havent met any Macanese who smiles. The police even detained us for 4 hours and all of them didnt even smile to each other for hours. We dont know what our violation was - all I know is I was laughing the entire time I was in Senado square with my friends. My laugh was not in annoying way. My sense of humor is just uncontrollable, I even laughed so hard when they had this special op team (like SWAT or something) whose weapons were aiming at us. Facing the wall in a deserted parking lot, mobile patrols everywhere, high powered weapons and k2s! Man, I felt like the most wanted terrorist. And we were 4 ladies in early 20's and mid 20's. Overkill is understatement. So maybe yeah they hate smiling so you'll get along with them. LOL.29
Then why would a frown be any more indication of REALity than a smile? If it is culturally appropriate to frown, then they are going to do it even if they are laughing inside.Just as in Thailand, where the smile is the stand in for a range of true emotions, so the frown, serious expression, etc could be in other cultures --- some of which posters here have listed
Go in Peace .. Gentle traveler from the Land of Snows/
