TaboosCultural TaboosPage 3In Japan,you cant insert chopsticks vertically into the food.It is an inauspicious sign.In Egypt,dont put salt into the bowl.It is an insult to the cook.In London,if you take off your shoes when arriving at the door of a dinner party, the hostess will find you uncivilized.Cultural TaboosPage 4Dont talk about the babys eyes (Iran)In Iran, you dont talk about the babys eyes, because the Iranian people are most sensitive to the babys eyes. Page 5Number TaboosPage 6Number TaboosJapan:4,9 -the pronunciation of 4 and 9 in Japanese sounds like death and sufferingMost of western countries:13 -13 as betraying Jesus and Judas died in Last Supper and the myth of the order of a few of the symbol of the kingdom of heavenPage 7Gift TaboosPage 8Gift TaboosIslam(伊斯兰教):wine,sculpture,pictures of women (the root of evil)Britain:lily (death)France:something with a pattern of crane(鹤) (the symbol of silly)Russia:money (an insult)HongKong:watch,blanket,white or red flowers (unlucky)Page 9Color TaboosPage 10Color TaboosJapan:green (unauspicious)Brazil(巴西):brown (mourning for the death)France:blackish green (the Nazi uniform color)Iraq:bule (evil)Thailand:redPeru(秘鲁):purpleEgypt :blueSyria(叙利亚) and Pakistan:yellowPage 11Superstitions in Western countries 1) It is unlucky to have a black cat cross the road in front of you. 看见黑猫在你面前横穿马路是不吉利的。 2) Cattle lying down indicate rain. 牛躺下预示有雨。 3) Opening an umbrella in the house is bad luck. 在屋中撑伞会倒霉。 4) Lighting three cigarettes from one match brings bad luck to the third person. 一根火柴点燃三支香烟会给第三个人带来厄运。 5) To break a mirror brings seven years bad luck. 打碎镜子会带来7年厄运。