Step+4+-+Badia's+positive+and+negative+cultural+experiences.

> I would have to really point out that in future I will make sure I read up on and find out more about that country that I am going to so I will not get myself in trouble beacuse of cultural mix ups. In this case I attempted to use sign language to one of the sellers in the market places they have here in Sao Paulo because I did not know that maybe the particular hand gesture meant OK in some places but meant soemthing toatlly different here in Brazil to my ambarrasment;
 * Negative experience:
 * This is very similar to the American OK, but its very obscene! It means "screw you" like the gesture in the picture below. Unknowingly many foreigner's use this OK sign to signify approval or pleasure however it is best to use the "thumbs up" sign instead.

Taken from: http://www.maria-brazil.org/brazilian_body_language_obscene.htm Access Date: 12/06/07 > > The nightlife and the Party life! > > During ‘carnaval’ -- which takes place in the week before ‘Ash Wednesday’, in the Spring, – music, parades, dancing, singing, and partying on a grand scale, take place up and down the Brazilian coast. This experience is thought to be an experience of a lifetime!
 * Positive Experience:

http://www.donabrasil.com/modules/amevents/index.php?lang=en

Access Date: 12/06/07