tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post7876833641511961911..comments2024-03-24T09:13:28.758+00:00Comments on The Plashing Vole: EnlightenmentThe Plashing Volehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-44033456842303713822011-01-09T23:48:57.195+00:002011-01-09T23:48:57.195+00:00I'd give that Chinese man a cheeky smile and m...I'd give that Chinese man a cheeky smile and maybe pat my belly.<br /><br />I think facial expressions are pretty universal.nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02378725336497139302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-62423025103013128252011-01-07T16:42:14.099+00:002011-01-07T16:42:14.099+00:00We'll never know about what came first but you...We'll never know about what came first but you could be right.<br /><br />How is a Chinese man meant to know that a thumb up is positive? It's a completely arbitrary sign and only in our culture and cultures we've influenced does it mean approval. Head-shaking means yes in some places, and no in others. There's nothing intrinsic about any gesture (word/image/sound) that means anything: it's a collective (limited and temporary) agreement within a culture that gives it meaning.The Plashing Volehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-19496413373772082112011-01-07T16:27:18.845+00:002011-01-07T16:27:18.845+00:00Regarding point 1), it's clearly some form of ...Regarding point 1), it's clearly some form of sign language or hand gestures? <br /><br />If I liked a plate of food a Chinese man had given me, nothing I could say would tell him I liked it, or nothing I wrote, but if I put my thumbs up he would probably understand.<br /><br />Thinking out loud there so probably overlooked something which I'm sure you'll point out.Ewarwoowarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01188994060142858403noreply@blogger.com