I recently came across a video of an old man walking when he noticed a child in his path. He gently patted the child’s head as he passed, seemingly out of kindness. But the child’s parents immediately rushed toward him, visibly angry.
Apparently, in Thailand, touching someone’s head can be considered seriously disrespectful or offensive because the head is traditionally regarded as the highest and most important part of the body. Meanwhile, in our country, a gentle pat on the head can be a simple gesture of affection especially among family and close friends.
It got me thinking: what feels like affection in one culture can feel like disrespect in another.
How about in your country? Is a head pat considered affectionate or disrespectful? And do you know of any other gestures that show affection in your culture but could be seen as disrespectful somewhere else?
Apparently, in Thailand, touching someone’s head can be considered seriously disrespectful or offensive because the head is traditionally regarded as the highest and most important part of the body. Meanwhile, in our country, a gentle pat on the head can be a simple gesture of affection especially among family and close friends.
It got me thinking: what feels like affection in one culture can feel like disrespect in another.
How about in your country? Is a head pat considered affectionate or disrespectful? And do you know of any other gestures that show affection in your culture but could be seen as disrespectful somewhere else?
