Am I wrong if I say I am uncomfortable to see some westerners...?

Question

use their legs to show people something or put their legs on working table...?
If the answer is "This is culture", then I will still argue
what is the culture based on?
To treat well and politely, respectfully among people, right?

Answer 1

Nah, feel uncomfortable if you want, especially if they're in your own country, where they should respect your culture, especially if they have habits that are considered offensive to your people.
Of course you have to understand that they don't mean to be disrespectful, but tollerance doesn't say anything about acceptance. You don't have to like it to be tollerant, you just have to understand it.

Answer 2

Sometimes, this putting of feet on table is used as a territorial thing in the West. Even if it is on a very subtle (although I think it's actually quite obvious) way of doing things.

Especially if it is used on the desk of someone who may be viewed as a 'rival'. It is a subtle way of bullying the other person to see just how much you can get away with. A way of testing the other persons response to this could then be an indication of how later you could manipulate them in a confrontational situation.

It is normally only very unpolite, disrespectful people who try this.

However, if someone does it on their own desk/table, it can be a sign that they are totally comfortable in your presence ( as long as they are not pointing their feet at you.)

If you ever feel that this act is rude, just ask them if they wouldn't mind putting their feet down. If they are polite they will comply.

Answer 3

I do not think that you are wrong to feel uncomfortable. This does not seem polite enough to me. But also, so that you do not get very offended, put it in the context of culture; is everyone used to doing this? Is it an acceptable cultural norm in this country? If yes, then maybe this specific culture does not pay enough attention to etiqutte. We know some cultures pay more attention to politeness, like tha Japanese culture, than others.

Answer 4

It's not rude if the person is not intending to be rude.
If a person doesn't know that it is not acceptable in a certain culture, then they can be told politely about how it might be considered rude in a certain culture. Chances are, they'd never do it again.
You could ask your own question of your own culture regarding spitting, etc. in public, which westerners are taught to think is nasty and disgusting. But to you (if you are Asian), you likely think it's no big deal.

Answer 5

I might point out that many people simply put their feet up on a desk or whatever because they have poor circulation and their feet get all swollen up and very uncomfortable if they don't keep them elevated, especially while sitting.
Since in the west, legs and feet aren't viewed as dirty or anything, while to put them up on a table may be viewed as very casual, it's not usually seen as rude. And pointing at something with one's leg is especially not rude.

But you do have the right to feel offended by it, but perhaps keep in mind that the people are really not trying to be rude to you.

Answer 6

You are right!! every human has the right to be treated well, politely and respectfully. They'll get back all the treatments from others on how the way they treat others. So just sit back and relax. You don't have to be piss off by this kind of people. Not worth it!

Answer 7

Courtesy and being respectful is in the INTENTION, not the ACTION. For example, in some Asian cultures it is considered rude to put money directly into someone's hand. You are to set it on the table instead. In other culture, it is considered rude to put the money on the table instead of i the hand.

In Iranian culture, it is consiered impolite to put your feet up and show the bottom of your foot to someone. In American popular culture, to do so is not an insult at all.

In the USA, showing your thumbs up is a compliment, meaning "very good!" But in Italy it is a very insulting gesture that can get you in a lot of trouble!

In :Latin culture, it is considered rude to show up for work and immediatley begin work -- before talking work, it is important to ask about your co-workers family, health, and personal matters. To not show up early and share interpersonal time with co-workers is an insult. In most European cultures, and in most American companies, the "work ethic" often overlooks this and people show up "ready tp work" and don't show up early. In Jewish and Islamic culture, great emphais is put on hospitality to guests, and Abraham is known as the Father of Hospitality. A sharing of food -- even if only dates and nuts and fruits -- is important. In American Protestant culture, hospitalty is often reuced to the serving of alcoholic drinks and no food at all.
The study of how to interact with different cultural norms is called "Applied Axiology"

Answer 8

If you don't like our culture, leave and go back to the shithole you came from. How dare any foreigner come here, get free education, use our facilities, healthcare system, medicaid, foodstamps and then insult our ways on top of it all. Just get out.
Is that rude enough for you?

Answer 9

Excuse me how is someone putting their leg up offensive to you and your culture? Its their d@mn leg and they can do what they want with it. Ask yourself does your culture infringe on other peoples freedom & rights? It doesnt seem to me that someone using their own legs is disrespectful or rude in any real way to you.

Answer 10

Your culture finds the soul of the foot an insult. In the US it may be rude to put your feet up on the desk but its not an insult. If your in the US you have to adapt.