Body language can have different meanings across cultures. Nodding the head means yes in most Western cultures but no in parts of Greece and Turkey. Making eye contact is encouraged in North America and Europe but considered rude in most Asian countries and parts of Africa. Gestures like thumbs up, peace signs, and OK signals can have positive, negative, or completely different meanings depending on the region. It is important to be aware of these cultural differences in body language to avoid misunderstandings.

1. Body Language in
Different Cultures
Kayla B.
&
Kevin Daly

2. Body Language
Body language: "Nonverbal, usually
unconscious, cofaskfjsakdjfmmunication
through the use of postures, gestures, facial
expressions". -Dictionary.com
Different signals and non verbal gestures mean
different things in different cultures

3. 1. Nodding the head means...
●YES in most cultures
●NO in some parts of Greece,
Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Turkey
2. Eye Contact
●ENCOURAGED in America, Canada, and
Europe
●CONSIDERED RUDE in most Asian countries
and Africa

4. 3. Closing your eyes means...
●BORED OR SLEEPY in America
●"IM LISTENING & CONCENTRATING" in
Japan, Thailand, China
4. OKAY Signal means... (thumb and
pointer finger)
●FINE OR OKAY in most cultures
●ZERO OR WORTHLESS in some part of
europe

5. 5. Making a V with your pointed and
middle finger means...
●PEACE OR VICTORY in most part of the world
●If the back of your hand is faced outward it
means UP YOURS in England and Australia
6. Thumbs Up means...
●OKAY, GOOD JOB OR FINE in most cultures
●UP YOURS in Australia
●FIVE in Japan
●ONE in Germany

6. Does Anyone Have
Any Questions?

7. References
Brockenbroug, M. (n.d.). Body Language Around the World. Retrieved June 16,
2010, from http://www.proz.com/forum/linguistics/
19320-body_language_around_the_world.html
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2011. (n.d.). Body Language . Retrieved June
16, 2011, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/body+language
Rugsaken, K. (n.d.). BODY SPEAKS: THE IMPORTANCE OF BODY LANGUAGE .
Retrieved June 16, 2011, from http://ww.nacada.ksu.edu/nationalconf/2005/handouts/
S184H1.PPT