h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Slightly offtopic: regarding "showing the universal sign for '5'" - if you mean, all 5 fingers spread out and waving your hand palm out towards the person you address, this is not *quite* universal. In Greece, it is a very rude gesture, so you have to indicate the number with your palm facing yourself.

ah, I didn't know that. Interesting.
I guess a lot of tourists have insulted some Greek waiter

But making the gesture with the palm towards yourself, that'll be understood as well. As long as 5 fingers are showing.

how come that gesture is considered rude in Greece ?

Apparently, it comes from older times when criminals where exhibited on public places, and people would throw handful of icky stuff on them. Actually it quite relieves tension, methinks. A fine example can be seen in Spielberg's "Munich" actually.

As for innocent gestures becoming rude in foreign countries, I guess that British waiters also get insulted by foreigners who ask for 2 beers

LOL !!

So, if you're British waiter, with Greek roots and someone is ordering 7 beers, my god !! You're gonne be insulted

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Bravo, Varindweion

Wilma

well done!

Coolness!

Yeeehaaa !!

Thx, all, much appreciated.

Grenadine - cherry syrup. I think Grenadine is in fact a syrup/cordial that comes from pomegranates.

I enjoyed the article.

A sign language aside: in BSL (British Sign Language) the number five is as you suggest and open hand. Six is a closed fist with the thumb extended. Sixteen is the same but moving the hand up and down. This can be very embarassing for 16 year old deaf boys when asked their age.

Thanks for the info about Grenadine, Vestboy, I looked it up now, and you're right.

aha. didn't know that. I was always under the impression that grenadine was made of cherries.
Anyway: do I have to correct this, or will this be corrected during the Editing?

forget I asked. Just had a look at the Peer Review Process.
Since it's recommended, it's up to the sub-editor, I believe.

Yes, and I've left you a message in your PS - I did figure out the G and T meanwhile, I think : Gin and Tonic ? I'm just working at the entry, maybe you can have a look and tell me if it's ok ?