I observed people of different cultures all my life. When I was young, I was programmed by the TV and my family about what culture was good, and what was bad. I believed them until I got to know people of these cultures. Even though we came from different places, our basic needs were similar. My bias against others dropped a great deal after that.
Yet, I still see some people looking down on others who are of certain cultures that are known to be looked down upon. One of these cultures is from a southeastern Asian country. One of the major marks of the people of this country, is their walking style. They walk like villagers. People from metropolitans and cosmopolitans can pick out these people easily, and tend to talk down on them.
A "villager" 's walk consists of a stooping shoulders and head (slightly). Their arms fling back and forth more exaggeratedly than "city" people. Moreover, they walk as if they are wearing slippers. The whole walking act appears unrefined, unelegant. I do believe this type of walking style exist for a reason - but for what reason I do not yet know.
So, how does one walk elegantly?
1. Bring the shoulders back, do not stoop or hunch the back. Stooping the shoulders and hunching the back gives the impression of low confidence. You will feel better and more energized if you stand straight.
2. Bring the chin up, just a tiny bit. If you bring the chin up to the point where the chin no longer points to the ground, you'll look snobby. Yet if the chin points to the neck, you will appear hopeless. The head should be positioned so that you look straight ahead without strain.
3. Swing the arms comfortably and moderately, as you walk. Only exaggerate it if you walk very fast. The arms, on average, swings about a foot away from the body.
4. Avoid walking as if you are wearing flip flops or slippers - which is a walk with heels down first, and the heels drag a few inches to the front before the rest of the foot lands. A "proper" walk is not having to drag the heels - heels down first, and the rest of the soles follow.
Happy walking!
