Taboo is a social action that is not allowed. Every culture in the world has its own taboos. The breaking of a taboo sometimes makes people feel uncomfortable. I learned this through my own experience.
Last weekend, Wang Lin and I showed two foreigners around our city. Mr. Singh was from India and Mr. White from USA. When I held out my left hand to shake hands with him. Mr Singh seemed to be unhappy. Mr. White, however, was quite casual. He said hello to me with a big smile and a wave of his hand.
In the evening, we stopped at a restaurant for dinner. I noticed that Mr. Singh didn't touch the beef and Mr. White seemed not to like chickens' claws. During the meal, Wang Lin said sorry to Mr. Singh and continued to explain that we didn't know it was a taboo in India to shake one's left hand. Mr Singh explained that since oxen are sacred in India, people don't eat beef there. Mr. White joined in and said that it was not usual in the states for people to eat chickens' claws. He went on to say that Americans don't usually get into each other's personal space. Marriage, job and age are their taboos isn't it a good lesson to remember?
