China's Tibet Autonomous Region's mystery and beauty has attracted visitors throughout the ages, but there has also been a great deal of misunderstandings surrounding Tibet. This article will clear some of those misunderstandings up.

Two Tibetan men hold hands and walk together. [Photo/travel.sina.com.cn]

Misunderstanding 6: If a man holds another man's hands, then they are homosexual (and likewise for women).

Reality: The enthusiastic Tibetans often take the initiative to shake hands with the others. Their left hand holds the other's two hands while their right hand claps the other's hands from time to time. If the Tibetans take tourists to visit the temples or sceneries, they will also hold each other's hands and shake hands back and forth. This has nothing to do with age and gender.

The behavior is sometimes mistaken by outsiders as a homosexual act or sexual harassment. In fact, the Tibetans are quite direct. If they think you are a "good man", then they will shake your hands firmly and passionately, and will be eager to show you their hometown. It is quite natural for two Tibetan friends to be holding hands while chatting with each other.

Giving someone the middle finger is generally a curse. [Photo/travel.sina.com.cn]

Misunderstanding 7: Giving someone the middle finger is also a curse in Tibet.

Reality: In Tibet, when evaluating something or somebody, Tibetans often use five fingers to show their opinion. The first rate, thumbs up, expresses compliments in the same way as most of other places around the world.

The second rate is an index finger. The expression is not that common unless used in some detailed evaluation.

The third rate is showing the middle finger, which is likely to infuriate foreigners or Hans. Actually, it is a fairly common behavior that signifies no particular opinion (and is definitely not a curse!).

The fourth rate is the ring finger. It is also less common, signifying a fair-to-middle viewpoint, or something barely satisfactory.

The last rate is the classic one, showing only the nail tip of the little finger. A contemptuous facial expression will probably also be shown, with cross-eyed stare at the tip of the little finger. It is terrible to accept such an assessment.