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What an interesting thread and it's honestly not something I would have considered before but from now on when I travel I think I will google local customs to make sure I don't offend anyone.
Just don't be rude with everyone and don't take things too seriously. This is my motto when I go to different places where I don't know the culture. There are universal actions like smiling or frowning that everyone can understand.
I agree with you about the universal gestures like smiling and frowning, as well as nodding and shaking the head to say yes and no. But I am not sure about Indians. Sometimes an Indian say "acha" (meaning yes) while shaking his head.
