Why Avoid Depicting Only Hands or Feet in Icons?

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The discussion centers around guidelines from the GNOME Human Interface Guidelines, specifically the avoidance of certain imagery in design, including pictures of flags, money, maps with political boundaries, and icons of animals or just hands and feet. The reasoning behind avoiding depictions of hands and feet is tied to cultural sensitivities, particularly in Arab cultures where body language involving these parts can be considered offensive. For example, pointing the sole of a foot at someone is seen as impolite. The conversation highlights the importance of being culturally aware in design to prevent unintentional offense. However, there is also a counterpoint raised about the potential for cultural sensitivity to be overly restrictive, suggesting that communication should not be hindered by differing cultural interpretations.
honestrosewater
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I was just reading the http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gup/hig/" closes with a list of some common things to avoid:
  • Pictures of flags or money
  • Maps showing political boundaries or contentious location names
  • Lists of countries or cities in non-alphabetical order (unless specifically requested or required by the context)
  • Icons depicting animals
  • Icons depicting only hands or feet
Does anyone know the reason behind the last one? Why and to whom might depicting only hands or feet be offensive or suggest something probably unintended? I can't think of anything.
 
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As I understand it, Islam forbids any iconography (including images of Mohammed), which is why Moslem art and architecture is characterized by geometric designs and scrolls. That would account for the avoidance of animal icons, which is not what you asked, but I mention it because I think what's really being suggested is that designers should be sensitive to the Arabic culture.

Which brings me to your question. Arabs can be very offended by body language involving hands and especially feet in ways that might seem harmless to others. For instance, it is considered impolite to point the sole of your foot or shoe at another person. So just to be on the safe side, it might be best to avoid any depictions of hands or feet.

That's all I can think of.

(Of course, there are many non-Arab Moslems as well)
 
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Ah, right. That makes sense. I'll have to read more about that now. Thanks! :smile:
 
honestrosewater said:
Ah, right. That makes sense. I'll have to read more about that now. Thanks! :smile:

This thread is so wrong, why should some gesture be insufferable to one race,
and acceptable to another? are we as the (human race) so narrow minded,
if we can not call a spade a spade how the heck will we ever communicate without hostility.
 

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