Communication Diversity - Comparative Managementfarahm3d
The document discusses how cultural differences can impact communication and the meaning of gestures. It provides examples of several common hand gestures and their different interpretations across cultures. The key points are that gestures considered polite in one culture may be rude in another, and it is important to understand the cultural contexts and norms around non-verbal communication to avoid unintended offenses when interacting with people from other cultures.
The document provides guidance on several African gestures and their cultural meanings:
1) Never use the left hand for gestures like saluting or writing as it is considered prohibited.
2) Belching after a meal is seen as polite as it signifies being fully fed.
3) Pointing is done with the chin among some groups like the Maasai as fingers are associated with tools.
4) Extended eye contact is seen as threatening so one should look slightly aside during conversations.
5) Exposing the soles of feet is impolite as feet touch the ground and are seen as dirty.
GESTURES AROUND THE WORL • ENGLISH PROJECT
What are gestures?
Gestures are a form of nonverbal communication in which visible bodily actions are used to communicate important messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words.
WORKED BY:
#MesueseAurela
Gestures vary significantly across cultures. Some key points:
- In many European countries, greetings involve kissing cheeks or a more exuberant embrace among friends. Handshakes are also common.
- Dining etiquette like keeping hands on the table or using cutlery differs in each culture.
- Gestures have very specific meanings that can be vulgar or rude if misused. For example, the "OK" sign means something obscene in some areas.
- Communication styles around eye contact, noise levels, queues, and other social norms are culture-specific and important to understand to avoid offense. Proper gestures are an important part of cultural etiquette everywhere.
This document discusses non-verbal communication and cultural differences in body language across various cultures. It provides examples of common greetings and gestures used in countries like Ethiopia, India, Lebanon, Iran, Egypt, Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Italy, Argentina, the Philippines, New Zealand, and the United States. Key points made include that over 90% of communication is non-verbal, personal space conventions vary between cultures, and gestures can have different meanings depending on cultural norms.
The document discusses several ways that cultures can differ, including views of time, power dynamics, and individualism vs collectivism. It provides examples of how these cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings, such as a Japanese person saying a sale will be "difficult" to mean "no", or an American employee responding too casually when offered an early lunch. Cultural norms around greetings, business interactions, and perceptions of others are also explored.
This document provides information about nonverbal communication and gestures from different cultures around the world. It discusses aspects of nonverbal communication like gestures, eye contact, and body language in countries such as the US, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, and Japan. It also suggests how these cultural studies can be incorporated into a unit plan on nonverbal communication and respect between cultures.
This document provides information on etiquette across different cultures and activities, including cross-cultural awareness, dining etiquette, gift giving etiquette, and negotiation etiquette. It discusses etiquette practices in countries like Germany, Japan, Turkey, the US, the Middle East, China, and Saudi Arabia. For example, it notes that in Japan, it is good etiquette to remain standing until shown where to sit for a meal and that chopsticks should never be pointed or used to pierce food. The document emphasizes that understanding cultural nuances is important for international business and that failing to observe local etiquette can negatively impact interactions.
Communication Diversity - Comparative Managementfarahm3d
The document discusses how cultural differences can impact communication and the meaning of gestures. It provides examples of several common hand gestures and their different interpretations across cultures. The key points are that gestures considered polite in one culture may be rude in another, and it is important to understand the cultural contexts and norms around non-verbal communication to avoid unintended offenses when interacting with people from other cultures.
The document provides guidance on several African gestures and their cultural meanings:
1) Never use the left hand for gestures like saluting or writing as it is considered prohibited.
2) Belching after a meal is seen as polite as it signifies being fully fed.
3) Pointing is done with the chin among some groups like the Maasai as fingers are associated with tools.
4) Extended eye contact is seen as threatening so one should look slightly aside during conversations.
5) Exposing the soles of feet is impolite as feet touch the ground and are seen as dirty.
GESTURES AROUND THE WORL • ENGLISH PROJECT
What are gestures?
Gestures are a form of nonverbal communication in which visible bodily actions are used to communicate important messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words.
WORKED BY:
#MesueseAurela
Gestures vary significantly across cultures. Some key points:
- In many European countries, greetings involve kissing cheeks or a more exuberant embrace among friends. Handshakes are also common.
- Dining etiquette like keeping hands on the table or using cutlery differs in each culture.
- Gestures have very specific meanings that can be vulgar or rude if misused. For example, the "OK" sign means something obscene in some areas.
- Communication styles around eye contact, noise levels, queues, and other social norms are culture-specific and important to understand to avoid offense. Proper gestures are an important part of cultural etiquette everywhere.
This document discusses non-verbal communication and cultural differences in body language across various cultures. It provides examples of common greetings and gestures used in countries like Ethiopia, India, Lebanon, Iran, Egypt, Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Italy, Argentina, the Philippines, New Zealand, and the United States. Key points made include that over 90% of communication is non-verbal, personal space conventions vary between cultures, and gestures can have different meanings depending on cultural norms.
The document discusses several ways that cultures can differ, including views of time, power dynamics, and individualism vs collectivism. It provides examples of how these cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings, such as a Japanese person saying a sale will be "difficult" to mean "no", or an American employee responding too casually when offered an early lunch. Cultural norms around greetings, business interactions, and perceptions of others are also explored.
This document provides information about nonverbal communication and gestures from different cultures around the world. It discusses aspects of nonverbal communication like gestures, eye contact, and body language in countries such as the US, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, and Japan. It also suggests how these cultural studies can be incorporated into a unit plan on nonverbal communication and respect between cultures.
This document provides information on etiquette across different cultures and activities, including cross-cultural awareness, dining etiquette, gift giving etiquette, and negotiation etiquette. It discusses etiquette practices in countries like Germany, Japan, Turkey, the US, the Middle East, China, and Saudi Arabia. For example, it notes that in Japan, it is good etiquette to remain standing until shown where to sit for a meal and that chopsticks should never be pointed or used to pierce food. The document emphasizes that understanding cultural nuances is important for international business and that failing to observe local etiquette can negatively impact interactions.
Eye contact has different social meanings and expectations across cultures. In Western cultures, maintaining eye contact is considered polite and shows interest in the conversation. However, in many Asian, Middle Eastern, African and Latin American cultures, intense eye contact can be seen as disrespectful or inappropriate, especially between people of different social statuses. It is important for travelers to be aware of these cultural differences in eye contact norms to avoid unintentionally causing offense.
What are some differences in greeting in other countries.Nancy Cardona
Greeting customs vary significantly across cultures and include physical gestures like kissing, handshakes, bowing or saying certain phrases. Some cultures greet with multiple kisses on the cheek while others prefer a single kiss, handshake or nod. Common greetings include "hola" in Latin America, "bonjour" in France, "konnichiwa" in Japan, "nihao" in China and "namaste" in India. Russia and some European countries may involve three or six kisses while Muslims commonly greet with a handshake and saying "salamaleikum".
This document discusses cultural differences in politeness and how they can lead to misunderstandings. It provides examples of how behaviors considered polite in one culture may be inappropriate or rude in another culture due to differing social norms and values. Directly translating speech patterns without understanding these cultural contexts can damage relationships. The document advocates having an open mind about cultural variations in politeness to avoid misjudging others and eliminating cross-cultural misunderstandings.
The document discusses effective communication and cultural differences that can impact communication. It provides tips for effective communication such as being brief, precise, and checking for understanding. It also discusses how concepts like personal space, time, gestures, and etiquette can have different meanings and appropriate behaviors across cultures. Paying attention to these cultural norms is important for smooth communication, especially in an international business context like hospitality.
The document outlines the key aspects of international business etiquette that should be considered when preparing for an international business trip. It discusses forming relationships by getting to know people and building trust, how information and communication differs across cultures in terms of emphasis on concepts like "face" and non-verbal cues. It also addresses how rank and status, use of space, attitudes toward time, gift giving practices, entertainment customs, cultural taboos and sensitivities can vary significantly. The document concludes by presenting four guiding principles for international interactions: do unto others as they would have you do; don't give or take unintentional offense; embrace differences between cultures; and use meetings as opportunities to broaden perspectives.
The document discusses different types of handshakes and their meanings. It describes a standard handshake where two people grasp each other's right hands and briefly move them up and down. Customs around handshakes vary by culture. Some specific handshakes mentioned include the wet fish handshake which indicates a weak character, the dead fish handshake which shows low self-esteem, the hand hug used by politicians to seem warm, and the queen's fingertips handshake used mainly by men to assert superiority. The document examines handshakes as a way to convey traits and clues about a person's personality.
1) Body language conveys at least 65% of social meaning in conversations, with words accounting for less than 35%.
2) Understanding body language is important because gestures can be misinterpreted across cultures. For example, a murder case in 1988 in LA and incidents involving Americans overseas in the 1990s.
3) Many gestures have different meanings depending on culture, such as nodding, eye contact, kissing, hand gestures, and how close to stand. Being aware of cultural norms is important for clear communication without offense.
Peruvian greetings can be confusing for foreigners. When meeting for the first time, greetings differ by gender - men shake hands or hug strongly with a slap on the back, while women kiss each other's cheeks and hug softly. It is also common for men and women to kiss each other's right cheeks. Proper greetings like "Mucho gusto" and responses like "El gusto es mío" should be used. When introducing themselves, Peruvians may ask personal questions, which is normal and not intrusive. Eye contact and expressions like "En serio?" show interest in the conversation. The terms "usted" and "tu" indicate different levels of formality depending on the person
This document provides guidance on cross-cultural understanding when working with diverse cultures like China, the Middle East, and Africa. It discusses general rules like respecting local customs and avoiding judgment. It differentiates between universal, cultural, and personal aspects of culture. It also distinguishes between visible and invisible cultural influences and how the invisible shapes the visible. Specific advice is given for conducting business in the Middle East and China, emphasizing relationship building, respect, generosity, and patience.
This document provides information and guidelines regarding diplomatic protocol and etiquette. It discusses what diplomatic protocol refers to, proper greetings, introductions, receiving guests, dress code, sitting postures, attending lunches/dinners, speech guidelines, and dos and don'ts. The key points are that diplomatic protocol outlines proper etiquette and respect when dealing with foreign officials, and there are established rules for greetings, seating arrangements, attire, table manners, and interactions to ensure courtesy is shown.
This document discusses the different phases of culture shock that people often experience when moving to a new culture. It begins with an initial "honeymoon phase" where everything is exciting and new. This is typically followed by a period of "anxiety" as the novelty wears off and adjusting to the new culture becomes more difficult. People may feel negativity, miscommunication, and dislike for the new culture during this phase. Eventually, most people adjust further and start to feel more at home in the new culture. However, some people experience "reverse culture shock" when returning to their home culture, finding it dull in comparison. The document provides examples from the author's own experiences with these phases of culture shock in different cultures.
This document discusses cultural awareness and differences. It begins by defining culture and explaining that it is relative, learned, and changes over time. It then discusses some forces that shape individual cultures like values, beliefs, education, and religion. The document outlines some dangers of stereotypes and ethnocentrism. It provides examples of cultural differences in areas like eating habits, religion, family structures, communication, and time. It stresses the importance of understanding other cultural frameworks and seeing cultural differences as creative problem-solving opportunities. The document also discusses the stages of cultural adaptation like honeymoon, initial confrontation, adjustment crisis, and recovery.
Nonverbal communication conveys 30% of the message in human interactions through means like facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, touch, personal space and time. It can vary significantly between cultures, with behaviors like smiling, direct eye contact and the acceptability of touch interpreted differently. Misunderstandings arise when people are unaware of these cultural differences in nonverbal communication norms and meanings.
Herein u will find part of Marjorie Kanter´s OneHundredDays Project in conjuction with the London Word Festival. Originally posted on Twitter/Facebook/Blogger.
Understanding and working with Indians is a topic by itself. Here is a presentation talks about cultural awareness one should build for working with Indians.
This document provides guidance on Japanese business etiquette. It outlines important customs regarding business cards such as exchanging them using two hands and not writing on them. It recommends conservative business attire for men and women, avoiding short skirts or transparent clothing. Meeting etiquette is also discussed, such as arriving early and taking notes. Personal habits like nose blowing or inappropriate gestures should be avoided. Proper greetings and bowing are also summarized.
The document discusses the importance of protocol and etiquette, especially in international relations and business. It provides examples of cultural norms and expectations around greetings, gifts, seating arrangements, and other aspects of etiquette in various world regions, including Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, India, the Mediterranean, and Nordic countries. Following proper protocol can help smooth interactions and build relationships, while breaching protocol risks giving offense.
Intercultural communication saudi arabia, japan and brazildragon888
This document provides information on cultural norms related to communication styles and interpersonal interactions in Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Brazil. For each country, it outlines norms around use of silence, eye contact, touching, space/privacy, and dos and don'ts. Some key points include: in Saudi Arabia, silence is used for contemplation and eye contact indicates respect; in Japan, silence is a virtue and too much eye contact is uncomfortable; in Brazil, touching is common as a greeting and Brazilians openly display emotions. The document aims to highlight cultural differences to help with intercultural interactions.
Etoquette ba 381_presentation_use_this_oneShaolins Prem
Etiquette refers to socially acceptable behaviors and standards among professionals. However, etiquette varies significantly across cultures. The document discusses etiquette in global business contexts and provides examples of cultural norms in countries like France, Brazil, India, and Japan. Key differences highlighted include appropriate greetings, gift-giving practices, dining etiquette, views on punctuality, and norms around appearance and communication styles. Understanding cultural diversity and nuances is critical for successful international business dealings.
This document discusses cross-cultural diversity management and sensitivity. It covers the need for awareness of different cultures and understanding barriers to communication like language, culture and perception. It discusses Hofstede's cultural dimensions and differences in areas like gifts, body language, business cards and time orientation between cultures. The importance of cultural sensitivity is emphasized, with dos and don'ts provided. Strategies for effective diversity management in the workplace are suggested, including mentoring, multicultural teams and training. The conclusion emphasizes applying what is learned to build harmonious and high performing diverse organizations.
The document provides illustrations and descriptions of rude hand gestures from around the world, explaining their various meanings and cultural contexts. Examples include the chin flick in parts of Europe meaning "get lost", the "moutza" gesture in Greece having sexual connotations, and the "five fathers" sign in Arab countries implying one's mother is a whore. Understanding these cultural differences in rude gestures can help avoid unintentionally offending locals during international travel.
Eye contact has different social meanings and expectations across cultures. In Western cultures, maintaining eye contact is considered polite and shows interest in the conversation. However, in many Asian, Middle Eastern, African and Latin American cultures, intense eye contact can be seen as disrespectful or inappropriate, especially between people of different social statuses. It is important for travelers to be aware of these cultural differences in eye contact norms to avoid unintentionally causing offense.
What are some differences in greeting in other countries.Nancy Cardona
Greeting customs vary significantly across cultures and include physical gestures like kissing, handshakes, bowing or saying certain phrases. Some cultures greet with multiple kisses on the cheek while others prefer a single kiss, handshake or nod. Common greetings include "hola" in Latin America, "bonjour" in France, "konnichiwa" in Japan, "nihao" in China and "namaste" in India. Russia and some European countries may involve three or six kisses while Muslims commonly greet with a handshake and saying "salamaleikum".
This document discusses cultural differences in politeness and how they can lead to misunderstandings. It provides examples of how behaviors considered polite in one culture may be inappropriate or rude in another culture due to differing social norms and values. Directly translating speech patterns without understanding these cultural contexts can damage relationships. The document advocates having an open mind about cultural variations in politeness to avoid misjudging others and eliminating cross-cultural misunderstandings.
The document discusses effective communication and cultural differences that can impact communication. It provides tips for effective communication such as being brief, precise, and checking for understanding. It also discusses how concepts like personal space, time, gestures, and etiquette can have different meanings and appropriate behaviors across cultures. Paying attention to these cultural norms is important for smooth communication, especially in an international business context like hospitality.
The document outlines the key aspects of international business etiquette that should be considered when preparing for an international business trip. It discusses forming relationships by getting to know people and building trust, how information and communication differs across cultures in terms of emphasis on concepts like "face" and non-verbal cues. It also addresses how rank and status, use of space, attitudes toward time, gift giving practices, entertainment customs, cultural taboos and sensitivities can vary significantly. The document concludes by presenting four guiding principles for international interactions: do unto others as they would have you do; don't give or take unintentional offense; embrace differences between cultures; and use meetings as opportunities to broaden perspectives.
The document discusses different types of handshakes and their meanings. It describes a standard handshake where two people grasp each other's right hands and briefly move them up and down. Customs around handshakes vary by culture. Some specific handshakes mentioned include the wet fish handshake which indicates a weak character, the dead fish handshake which shows low self-esteem, the hand hug used by politicians to seem warm, and the queen's fingertips handshake used mainly by men to assert superiority. The document examines handshakes as a way to convey traits and clues about a person's personality.
1) Body language conveys at least 65% of social meaning in conversations, with words accounting for less than 35%.
2) Understanding body language is important because gestures can be misinterpreted across cultures. For example, a murder case in 1988 in LA and incidents involving Americans overseas in the 1990s.
3) Many gestures have different meanings depending on culture, such as nodding, eye contact, kissing, hand gestures, and how close to stand. Being aware of cultural norms is important for clear communication without offense.
Peruvian greetings can be confusing for foreigners. When meeting for the first time, greetings differ by gender - men shake hands or hug strongly with a slap on the back, while women kiss each other's cheeks and hug softly. It is also common for men and women to kiss each other's right cheeks. Proper greetings like "Mucho gusto" and responses like "El gusto es mío" should be used. When introducing themselves, Peruvians may ask personal questions, which is normal and not intrusive. Eye contact and expressions like "En serio?" show interest in the conversation. The terms "usted" and "tu" indicate different levels of formality depending on the person
This document provides guidance on cross-cultural understanding when working with diverse cultures like China, the Middle East, and Africa. It discusses general rules like respecting local customs and avoiding judgment. It differentiates between universal, cultural, and personal aspects of culture. It also distinguishes between visible and invisible cultural influences and how the invisible shapes the visible. Specific advice is given for conducting business in the Middle East and China, emphasizing relationship building, respect, generosity, and patience.
This document provides information and guidelines regarding diplomatic protocol and etiquette. It discusses what diplomatic protocol refers to, proper greetings, introductions, receiving guests, dress code, sitting postures, attending lunches/dinners, speech guidelines, and dos and don'ts. The key points are that diplomatic protocol outlines proper etiquette and respect when dealing with foreign officials, and there are established rules for greetings, seating arrangements, attire, table manners, and interactions to ensure courtesy is shown.
This document discusses the different phases of culture shock that people often experience when moving to a new culture. It begins with an initial "honeymoon phase" where everything is exciting and new. This is typically followed by a period of "anxiety" as the novelty wears off and adjusting to the new culture becomes more difficult. People may feel negativity, miscommunication, and dislike for the new culture during this phase. Eventually, most people adjust further and start to feel more at home in the new culture. However, some people experience "reverse culture shock" when returning to their home culture, finding it dull in comparison. The document provides examples from the author's own experiences with these phases of culture shock in different cultures.
This document discusses cultural awareness and differences. It begins by defining culture and explaining that it is relative, learned, and changes over time. It then discusses some forces that shape individual cultures like values, beliefs, education, and religion. The document outlines some dangers of stereotypes and ethnocentrism. It provides examples of cultural differences in areas like eating habits, religion, family structures, communication, and time. It stresses the importance of understanding other cultural frameworks and seeing cultural differences as creative problem-solving opportunities. The document also discusses the stages of cultural adaptation like honeymoon, initial confrontation, adjustment crisis, and recovery.
Nonverbal communication conveys 30% of the message in human interactions through means like facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, touch, personal space and time. It can vary significantly between cultures, with behaviors like smiling, direct eye contact and the acceptability of touch interpreted differently. Misunderstandings arise when people are unaware of these cultural differences in nonverbal communication norms and meanings.
Herein u will find part of Marjorie Kanter´s OneHundredDays Project in conjuction with the London Word Festival. Originally posted on Twitter/Facebook/Blogger.
Understanding and working with Indians is a topic by itself. Here is a presentation talks about cultural awareness one should build for working with Indians.
This document provides guidance on Japanese business etiquette. It outlines important customs regarding business cards such as exchanging them using two hands and not writing on them. It recommends conservative business attire for men and women, avoiding short skirts or transparent clothing. Meeting etiquette is also discussed, such as arriving early and taking notes. Personal habits like nose blowing or inappropriate gestures should be avoided. Proper greetings and bowing are also summarized.
The document discusses the importance of protocol and etiquette, especially in international relations and business. It provides examples of cultural norms and expectations around greetings, gifts, seating arrangements, and other aspects of etiquette in various world regions, including Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, India, the Mediterranean, and Nordic countries. Following proper protocol can help smooth interactions and build relationships, while breaching protocol risks giving offense.
Intercultural communication saudi arabia, japan and brazildragon888
This document provides information on cultural norms related to communication styles and interpersonal interactions in Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Brazil. For each country, it outlines norms around use of silence, eye contact, touching, space/privacy, and dos and don'ts. Some key points include: in Saudi Arabia, silence is used for contemplation and eye contact indicates respect; in Japan, silence is a virtue and too much eye contact is uncomfortable; in Brazil, touching is common as a greeting and Brazilians openly display emotions. The document aims to highlight cultural differences to help with intercultural interactions.
Etoquette ba 381_presentation_use_this_oneShaolins Prem
Etiquette refers to socially acceptable behaviors and standards among professionals. However, etiquette varies significantly across cultures. The document discusses etiquette in global business contexts and provides examples of cultural norms in countries like France, Brazil, India, and Japan. Key differences highlighted include appropriate greetings, gift-giving practices, dining etiquette, views on punctuality, and norms around appearance and communication styles. Understanding cultural diversity and nuances is critical for successful international business dealings.
This document discusses cross-cultural diversity management and sensitivity. It covers the need for awareness of different cultures and understanding barriers to communication like language, culture and perception. It discusses Hofstede's cultural dimensions and differences in areas like gifts, body language, business cards and time orientation between cultures. The importance of cultural sensitivity is emphasized, with dos and don'ts provided. Strategies for effective diversity management in the workplace are suggested, including mentoring, multicultural teams and training. The conclusion emphasizes applying what is learned to build harmonious and high performing diverse organizations.
The document provides illustrations and descriptions of rude hand gestures from around the world, explaining their various meanings and cultural contexts. Examples include the chin flick in parts of Europe meaning "get lost", the "moutza" gesture in Greece having sexual connotations, and the "five fathers" sign in Arab countries implying one's mother is a whore. Understanding these cultural differences in rude gestures can help avoid unintentionally offending locals during international travel.
The document discusses the importance of understanding body language in communication. It notes that over 65% of social meaning is conveyed through non-verbal cues like gestures and facial expressions. Different cultures interpret various gestures differently, so it is important to be aware of these differences to communicate effectively across cultures. The document then examines various body language cues like gestures of the hands, eyes, and posture and how their meanings can vary greatly in different parts of the world.
This document discusses nonverbal communication and cultural differences in nonverbal cues. It begins by defining nonverbal communication as communication without words, including facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and personal space. It then explains that while some expressions like fear or disgust are universal, most nonverbal cues differ across cultures and must be understood in context. The document proceeds to discuss specific types of nonverbal communication like gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and personal space or conversational distance. It notes that the interpretation of nonverbal cues can vary significantly between cultures and outlines some examples, such as differences in smiling, grief expressions, friendship displays, and eye contact norms. The purpose is to increase awareness of nonverbal communication and how its meaning depends on
Importance of cutural awareness for business peopleLyLy Tran
1) Cultural awareness is important for business success globally as culture influences behaviors and business interactions.
2) Not understanding cultural differences can lead to resistance from customers from other cultures due to misunderstandings of social norms and etiquette.
3) Examples of cultural mistakes in marketing, such as poor translations of slogans, show the importance of understanding cultural meanings to avoid product failures in foreign markets.
In different cultures around the world, eye contact, handshakes, and greetings carry different meanings and social norms. In the U.S. and Canada, intermittent eye contact conveys interest, while in Middle Eastern cultures intense eye contact between genders indicates trust but is inappropriate between opposite genders. Handshakes also vary significantly across cultures in duration, hand placement, and appropriateness between genders. Greetings like bowing, kissing cheeks, or simple introductions are common depending on the specific culture. Touching and gestures that are acceptable in one culture may be offensive in others, so it is best to observe local customs.
Hand gestures can have very different meanings across cultures. The speaker provides examples of common gestures and how their meanings vary, such as how a peace sign with the palm facing inward in Australia implies "go screw yourself." It is important to understand the cultural meanings of gestures when traveling internationally to avoid unintended offenses. The document outlines various gestures like thumbs up/down, OK signs, snapping fingers, and more, explaining how their implications differ greatly between regions and can even be considered rude insults. Cross-cultural communication requires awareness of these subtle but important cultural nuances in body language.
This presentation discusses important aspects of non-verbal intercultural communication. It begins by explaining that cultures differ due to history, education, social and ethnic backgrounds, and religion. Intercultural communication is important due to globalization and multicultural workforces. The presentation identifies several non-verbal cues that vary across cultures, such as personal space, eye contact, touch, smiling, time, agreement, silence, and gestures. It provides dos and don'ts for effective intercultural communication and emphasizes acknowledging, understanding, accepting, and valuing cultural differences. In conclusion, the presentation stresses that diversity can have both positive and negative influences, so celebrating differences is key for successful non-verbal intercultural communication.
Cultural differences in nonverbal communication can lead to confusion. Facial expressions, gestures, eye contact and conversational distance have different meanings across cultures. For example, smiling at strangers is considered unusual in Russia but common in the US. The "OK" gesture means money in Japan but approval in the US. Showing the sole of one's foot is insulting in some countries but not others. Cultural sensitivity is important, as behaviors like eye contact, physical contact between friends, and the expression of emotions vary significantly depending on cultural norms.
This document provides safety tips for studying abroad. It discusses two types of risks: inherent risks outside one's control like illness or weather, and avoidable risks like alcohol/drug incidents that can be prevented. It then lists six rules for staying safe: keep a low profile; be aware of surroundings; take precautions like copies of documents; protect friends using the buddy system; know host country customs; and do research on safety risks. The document advises contacting on-site staff if an emergency occurs and provides an example of what to do if documents are stolen.
This document discusses body language and how it varies across cultures. It examines different gestures and their meanings from head to toe, including nods, eye contact, handshakes, waving, and more. Key points made include that over 65% of social meaning is conveyed non-verbally, gestures have different interpretations in different places, and being aware of cultural body language norms can help improve cross-cultural communication and understanding between people.
Non-Verbal Communication Across Cultures.pptxJerryEdris
Eye contact and touch have different meanings across cultures. Making eye contact can be seen as rude in parts of Asia and the Middle East, and some Eastern cultures discourage women from looking at men. Touch is more common in Western cultures like handshakes, but most Asian cultures prefer to avoid touching. Gestures also vary significantly by culture, such as pointing, tongue gestures, and the meaning of nods. Physical distance preferences and rules around facial expressions, attire, posture, paralanguage, and high/low context communication also differ across cultures and need to be appropriately considered in intercultural interactions.
This document discusses non-verbal communication or body language. It begins by defining non-verbal behavior as communication without words using facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, and touch. It then lists some common functions of non-verbal communication like expressing emotions and attitudes. While some signals like the six basic emotions are universal, non-verbal behavior varies across cultures. The document then categorizes and provides examples of different types of non-verbal communication and highlights some cultural differences in their meanings.
Stumbling
Intercultural
Communication
,LARAY 1\1. BARNA
Why is it that contact with persons from other cul-
tures so often is frustrating and fraught with misun-
derstanding? Good intentions, the use of what one
considers to be a friendly approach, and even the
possibility of mutual benefits don't seem to be suffi-
cient - to many people's surprise. A worse scenario
is when rejection occurs just because the group to
which a person belongs is "different." It's appropri-
ate at this time of major changes in the international
scene to take a hard look at S0111e of the reasons for
this, New proximity and new types of relationships
are presenting cornmurucation challenges that few
people are ready to meet.
THE SIX STUMBLING BLOCKS
I. Assumption of Similarities
One answer to the question of why misunderstand-
ing and/or rejection occurs is that many people na-
ively assume there are sufficient similarities among
peoples of the world to make communication easy.
They expect that simply being human, having com-
mon requirements of food, shelter, security, and so
on, makes everyone alike. Unfortunately they over-
look the fact that the forms of adaptation to these
Thisoriginal essay has been prepared especially for this book.
All rights reserved. Permission to reprint must be obtained
from the author and the publisher. Professor Barna is Associ-
ate Professor Emerita at Portland State University, Portland,
Oregon.
common biological and social needs and the
beliefs, and attitudes surrounding them are vastly
different from culture to culture. The biological
commonallties are not much help when it comes to
communication, where we need to ideas
and information, find ways to live and work to-
gether, or just make the kind of impression we want
to make,
Another reason many people are lured into
thinking that "people are people" is that it reduces
the discomfort of dealing with difference. If some-
one acts or looks "strange;' (different from them)
it's then possible to evaluate this as "wrong" and
treat everyone ethnocentrically.
The assumption of similarity does not often ex-
tend to the expectation of a COn11TlOn verbal lan-
guage but it does interfere with caution in decoding
nonverbal symbols, signs, and signals. No C1'085-
cultural studies have proven the existence of a corn-
man nonverbal language except those in support of
Darwin's theory that facial expressions are univer-
sal.' Ekman (1976) found that "the particular visible
pattern. on the face, the combination of muscles con-
tracted for anger, fear, surprise, sadness, disgust,
happiness (and probably also for interest) is the
same for all members of our species" (pp 19-20).
This seems helpful. until it is realized that a per-
son's cultural upbringing determines whether or
not the emotion will be displayed or suppressed, as
well as on which occasions and to what degree (Ek-
man & Friesen, 1969, p. 1). The situations that bring
about the emotional feeling also differ from culture
to cultu ...
Cultural Study:Nonverbal Communication & Gestureslilyserrano
This document provides information about nonverbal communication and gestures from different cultures around the world. It discusses aspects of nonverbal communication like gestures, eye contact, and body language in countries such as the US, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, and Japan. It also suggests how these cultural studies could be used in a unit plan to deepen students' understanding of communication in other parts of the world.
Walgreens began as a single drugstore in Chicago in 1901 and has since expanded to include over 8,000 drugstores across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company started with just five stores in 1915 and grew to 19 stores by 1916, all located in Chicago. Walgreens added amenities like soda fountains and lunches to its stores and began producing its own line of drug products to improve quality and lower prices. The company has continued growing over the past century through both organic growth and acquisitions.
This document discusses non-verbal communication between Indonesians and non-Indonesians. It begins by defining verbal and non-verbal communication, noting that understanding another culture's non-verbal cues is important for effective cross-cultural interaction. It then explores similarities and differences in gestures and their meanings between Indonesian and other cultures. Examples of gestures that may have the same, different, or no meaning across cultures are provided. The document concludes by suggesting activities to practice recognizing non-verbal cues.
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8.1 What Is Culture?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Define culture and describe its characteristics.
Culture has important implications for international business. Understanding and responding to cultural differences can make or break business
deals, keep employees happy, and be the difference between satisfied or frustrated customers.
What Is Culture?
Culture is a society's unique set of values and norms that govern how people live and interact. Culture manifests itself at many levels—the nation-
state level, the professional level (norms for educators, lawyers, businesspeople, students), the functional level (how norms differ between
professors and administrators, or between managers and employees), and even at the level of gender, where different norms exist for men and
women. Any type of unifying attribute can form the basis for a level of culture. Typically, culture's influence works on a deep level, and as a result
we often take it for granted, so its deepest effects on us are usually difficult for us to identify and address from within our own culture.
Think of culture as an iceberg. Just as an iceberg has a part you see and a part hidden under the water, culture has aspects that are readily
observable and others that are difficult to discern. For instance, in Thailand you might easily observe people politely putting their hands together in
front of them and bowing to each other as a greeting (called a wai)—even Ronald McDonald does it, as shown in Figure 8.1. But less well
understood is that the greeting reflects the strictly hierarchical society of the Thai, which corresponds to the shape of the human body. The crown
of the head is the highest and most important point on the body—never touch a Thai adult's or even a child's head; it is gravely offensive—while
the soles of the feet are the lowest point. In the act of greeting, the height of your hands is indicative of the degree of respect you are showing the
other person. Hands in front of the upper chest and neck with a slight bow is an informal greeting reserved for friends. However, a more formal
greeting requires a deeper bow and hands in front of the face. When you are greeting a Buddhist monk or royalty, your hands must be in front of
your forehead while you make a deep bow or kneel on the ground with your head bowed.
Figure 8.1GreetingsThailand's main form of
greeting is putting the hands together and
bowing. Even the Ronald McDonald statues in
Thailand perform this common greeting.
6/8/20, 1:46 PMCulture
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The principle of the head being the most important part of the body and the feet the least important leads us to understand why it is considered
improper to step on co.
This document discusses many differences between cultures that can cause challenges in international business and interactions. It provides examples of how behaviors and customs that seem normal in one culture can be misunderstood or offensive in another, such as variations in handshakes, small talk, and views of time. The document also outlines some key cultural dimensions along which societies tend to vary, such as individualism vs collectivism, high vs low context communication, and orientations toward the past, present or future. Misunderstandings are likely when interacting across cultures with differing norms.
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(𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝟏𝟎𝟎) (𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟏)-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐬
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐏𝐏 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬:
- Understand the goals and objectives of the Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) curriculum, recognizing its importance in fostering practical life skills and values among students. Students will also be able to identify the key components and subjects covered, such as agriculture, home economics, industrial arts, and information and communication technology.
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫:
-Define entrepreneurship, distinguishing it from general business activities by emphasizing its focus on innovation, risk-taking, and value creation. Students will describe the characteristics and traits of successful entrepreneurs, including their roles and responsibilities, and discuss the broader economic and social impacts of entrepreneurial activities on both local and global scales.
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Group 5 Presentation
1. The Unaware Westerner
Understanding how Western nonverbal
communications are perceived differently in
other cultures can help avoid embarrassing
situations.
2. You’re in India and you have just accepted a gift by a prospective
business partner. You have also insulted the person giving it to you
and crushed your chances of a future with that company….what did
you do wrong?
- As a Westerner, you should be aware that many cultures perceive our nonverbal communications, hand
gestures, posture, and eye contact very differently than we do.
- By demonstrating a sensitivity to other culture’s non-verbal traditions, you not only avoid embarrassing
situations, but you show respect for, and assimilate faster to those cultures.
- For international businesspersons working abroad or even medical professionals practicing here in the
United States, understanding a culture’s unique non-verbal communications can avoid more consequential
repercussions.
This is a presentation by Drew Buskirk, Jordan A. Paris, Keryzz Berkman, Denis S. Glavan, and Amia D. Padero
3. The Westerner who accepted the gift from the prospective Indian business partner made the mistake of accepting it from his
left hand. Many countries in Asia the Middle East use their left hand for personal hygiene, including the dirtier task of wiping
themselves after using the bathroom. Understandably, the left hand is considered “unclean” and would never be used to
accept a gift, shake someone’s hand, or to touch someone. To do so is an insult. [1] By accepting the gift with his left hand,
the Western businessperson basically told his prospective Indian business partner that he didn’t value his gift or the
partnership.
THE LEFT HAND
India Egypt
Touching someone is an example of Haptics, a type of non-verbal communication. We commonly touch someone without
even thinking about which hand we’re using. Your left hand is considered dirty when in Asia, Egypt, or other Middle East
countries. Remember this when interacting from someone from one of those cultures! Innocent gestures can carry a
much different meaning in other cultures, even patting a child on the head.
[1] http://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/NonVerbal.html
4. Soul Invasion
In America, we often pat a child on his or her head as a sign of affection, or to get their attention. In Sri
Lanka, Thailand and other Buddhist Cultures, the top of the head is where the spirit is believed to reside. [6]
To touch someone on the top of the head is an invasion of their spirit.
[6] Website: http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-common-gestures-easily-misunderstood-abroad/
Wedding Pat image http://trekity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pat-childs-head.jpg
Sri Lanka
Thailand
The unaware Westerner doesn’t even need to touch someone to be offensive in other cultures. Many simple,
friendly hand gestures we use everyday are considered anything but friendly in some cultures.
5. In many every-day situations, you might not be aware of the non-verbal messages that people from other cultures are
receiving by your hand gestures. For example, in Greece, if you hold your hand up, to say “hold-on”, you may very well be
insulting the person you are looking at. This gesture is known in Greece as “The Moutza”. It symbolizes the smearing of
charcoal or feces on the faces of prisoners to further shame them. [2] Obviously, this ancient act still has significant
meaning in the modern-day Greek culture and is one of the most offensive hand gestures you could use.
“Moutza?!?!” I meant “hold-on”
So, to avoid an awkward, or even violent situation while in Greece, remember “The Moutza”! There are other simple
hand gestures that a Westerner might use that could be interpreted in an unexpected way.
[2] Website: http://www.pacsafe.com/blog/five-hand-gestures-to-avoid-while-traveling/
Greece
6. “OK!”….not okay?
In America, we use the “OK sign” quite often to indicate “things are okay”.
In some Latin American countries,
such as Brazil, this non verbal hand
gesture is the same as calling someone
an ‘asshole’. [3] You can probably
imagine why. Without even realizing
it, you could unintentionally insult a
large number of people
with one
misused
gesture.
In Japan, the “OK sign” means ‘money’. Imagine
a Western businessperson giving the “OK sign”
at the end of a successful negotiation. The
Japanese businessperson might misinterpret
this as the American asking for a bribe! [4]
The consequences for using an inappropriate hand gesture in another country might not only lead to embarrassment, but
could cost you much more!
[3] Website: http://www.brighthubpm.com/monitoring-projects/85141-project-communication-tips-nonverbal-
communication-in-different-cultures/
[4] Book: Axtell, R., & Fornwald, M. (1998). Gestures: The do's and taboos of body language around the world (Rev. and expanded
ed.). New York: Wiley.
Reagan image from http://www.windsorstar.com/technology/Gallery+Reagan+years+White+House/4228004/story.html
Brazil
Japan
7. “In 1998, a newly married American couple went to New Zealand for their honeymoon. They rented a car and toured until
they missed a stop sign. A police officer pulled them over. They explained that they were new in town and didn't know about
the local traffic so were given a warning instead of a ticket. As a 'thank you' gesture, the husband gave the 'thumb up' sign.
The police officer called for back up and hand cuffed the American man. (A 'thump up' is seen as a rude gesture in New
Zealand.)” [5]
THUMBS UP!
If you’re not careful, you could end-up in
making things a lot worse for
yourself. A classic American
gesture riles feathers in some
countries where it literally
means “Up Yours!”
In America, the ‘Thumbs Up!’ is innocently used to say
“Awesome!”. It wouldn’t be so awesome to use this
gesture in Iran…. While not quite as severe, there are
other gestures that a Westerner might not want to use,
even while in Great Britain or Australia.
[5] Website: https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/body-speaks.aspx
(Links to an external site.)
George Bush image from http://semitrue.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2002/08/bush_thumbs_up.jpg
Mitt Romney image from http://img1.nymag.com/imgs/daily/intel/2012/10/23/23-mitt-rommney-
thumbs-up.w750.h560.2x.jpg
Jeremy Clarkson image from http://www.cooltoplists.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/37917f4s-960.gif
Iran
8. “V” for Vex??
As a Westerner, you might assume that being in an English-speaking country might preclude you from having to avoid using
certain hand gestures…you would be wrong! In Great Britain and Australia, for example, throwing a “peace sign” might
induce anything but peace. If you happen to throw the sign, especially with your palm facing toward you, you are giving a
much different sign that one of “peace”. [7]
[7] Website: http://www.dauntlessjaunter.com/2011/11/17/common-gestures-in-one-place-but-offensive-elsewhere/
Nixon Image http://www.cbc.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2010872.1381564784!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/li-nixon-rtxl3qy.jpg
Headphones Guy Image http://www.ljplus.ru/img4/k/i/kirill_goth/IMG_1512.jpg
Great Britain Australia
If you’re not familiar with a particular culture’s non-verbal
language, you could offend without even making a conscious
gesture!
9. Beard Scratch or Brush-Off?As a Western man with a beard, you probably scratch your chin from time-to-time. Be sure one of those times isn’t while
visiting Belgium, France or Northern Italy. In those countries, the act of scratching the underside of your chin in a forward
manner is called the “chin flick”. To put this lightly, it means “get lost”. [8] Often used in arguments, it could be easily
misunderstood by anyone who happens to be in the path of a misguided “chin flick”….especially in a bar where alcohol is a
factor!
[8] Website: http://www.viralnova.com/rude-hand-gestures/
Chin Flick Image: http://www.expanish.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Dibujo1.jpg
BelgiumFranceItaly
Haptics and hand gestures
are two kinds of non-verbal
communication that a
Westerner would want to pay
attention to while in other
countries. There are other,
more subtle forms of non-
verbal communication that a
Westerner will want to be
conscious of. Eye contact is a
big one.
10. Look Away When I’m Talking to You!
As a Westerner, we’re taught to look someone in the eyes when talking to them. In our culture, this shows respect and
that you’re paying attention. In many Asian cultures, especially Japan, the respectful thing to do is look away. [9] This is
a sign of respect, the exact opposite of it’s meaning in the United States! Averting one’s gaze in public is a wise thing to
do in Japan. Making prolonged eye contact could be perceived as being too forward, especially by a man to an Asian
woman.
[9] Website: https://www.rpi.edu/dept/advising/american_culture/social_skills/nonverbal_communication/reading_exercise.htm
Angry Woman Image: http://fishduck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/stock-footage-angry-young-woman-shaking-head-making-grimases-with-lips-and-eyes-anger-impatience.jpg
Staring Animal Image: http://lionstigersboysohmy.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/5/1/11510598/5312488_orig.jpg?224
For a Westerner to demonstrate his or her knowledge of
the significance of eye contact, they show a deep respect
for the culture. You’re likely to get much farther in your
endeavors by observing this non-verbal communication
rule.
The Japanese have other interesting non-verbal
communications that have the opposite
meaning as they do in the United States.
11. You Say Goodbye?
Japan can be confusing for a Westerner. The Japanese hand signal for “come here” might be interpreted as “goodbye”
or even “go away”. The difference is that as the hand is moved up and down, the fingers are pointed downward,
instead of outward, as they would be for a “goodbye” in Western culture. [10]
In addition to their lack of eye contact, the Japanese also show respect by bowing to one another. The
lower the bow, the more respect you are giving. This is one reason why posture is so important in Japan. It
comes from the consciousness of one’s body position. Some body positions are best avoided if you want to
make a good impression in Japan.
[10] Interview with Scott G Relaford
Handshake Image: http://managerlink.monster.com/nfs/managerlink/attachment_images/0001/3250/iStock_000005218304Small.jpg
The handshake was introduced to Japan by Westerners.
However, it has not replaced the traditional “bow”. You will
almost never see two Japanese shaking hands with one another.
[10]
12. No Slouching!
Proper posture is important to maintain if you want to make a
good impression in Japan. From bowing to sitting, it is wise to
be aware of your body position. Keep your back straight, feet
flat on the floor, and your head up (unless you are bowing!)
The message your body is sending when sitting
too low in a chair is that you aren’t interested in what’s
going on around you.
Slouching Cat Image: https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/109/287464403_8b77594f9b_b.jpg
Japan is not the only country where one should be
aware of their body position, especially if you plan
on conveying a sharp image while conducting
business in Saudi Arabia or with a visiting Saudi.
13. [9] Website: https://www.rpi.edu/dept/advising/american_culture/social_skills/nonverbal_communication/reading_exercise.htm
Businessman with Shoes Image: http://img.medicalxpress.com/newman/gfx/news/2013/newstudydoes.png
Businessman with Socks Image: http://images.smh.com.au/2010/06/09/1579658/article400_man-feet-up-desk-420x0.jpg
Guy with Dirty Bare Feet Image: https://c3.staticflickr.com/3/2010/5697087661_61280cf040_b.jpg
Feet Make Bad Impressions
Imagine yourself as a successful international businessperson, relaxing in
your Dallas office. You are waiting for your next meeting with a
representative for a large Saudi Petroleum company. You had just put your
feet up on your desk when the client walks in. Before you can put your feet
back on the floor, you see your client and your money walk out the door.
What you didn’t realize is that many cultures view the soles of your feet the
dirtiest part of the body. [10] By showing the Saudi your soles, you insulted
him and immediately convinced him that
you weren’t the kind of person who he
would want his client to do business with.
Saudi Arabia
As you can see, failing to observe other
culture’s non-verbal communications can
have serious consequences for the
businessperson. Even while in the United
States, there are professionals who need
to be aware of other culture’s unique non-
verbal communication customs.
14. Healthcare Workers: Be Advised
[11] Website: http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/11/non-verbal-behavior-in-cross-cultural-interactions/
Doctor Image: http://cdn.thewire.com/img/upload/2012/12/23/shutterstock_3398434/large.jpg
Excited Arab Image: https://limewoody.files.wordpress.com/2006/05/angry-arabs21.jpg
Calm Asian Man Image: http://features.cgsociety.org/newgallerycrits/g84/12584/12584_1304455667_large.jpg
Businesspersons are not the only group that should pay special attention to the non-verbal communication traditions of
other cultures. Healthcare workers must also be keenly aware of their patient’s culture or risk making them uneasy or even
worse, overprescribing medication. “Americans tend to be moderately expressive when it comes to body language,
gesturing freely compared to most Asians, but seeming constrained when compared to some Latin or Arab cultures. An
American might misread an exaggerated use of hands or arms in conversation as an indication of excitability or distress in a
person when, if fact, it means nothing of the sort.” [11] “Similarly, a western provider may over- or underestimate a
patient’s level of pain based on the presence or absence of loud complaint, gesticulations, and other expressions of pain
which are closely tied to a person’s culture.” [11]
The expressions Westerners
make or must make sense of
can vary widely. In some
cultures, the use of expressions
is diminished altogether.
Consequences for being too
expressive aren’t as serious as
they are for professionals, but
it’s still good practice to be
aware of the cultural norm
when visiting Scandinavian
countries, for example.
15. Excess Express
Sometimes you just want to blend-in. Sometimes you just don’t want to stand-out. Being aware of a how one normally
behaves on a day-to-day basis in a particular culture can help you fit-in. Scandinavians tend to be less expressive with their
faces than those from other countries, including Westerners.
An interesting study was conducted by Stanford University in
which European Americans from Irish descent and Scandinavian
descent were compared with
one another in terms of their use
of facial expressions. [12] The
Scandinavians demonstrated the
“target behavior” less consistently
than the Irish descendants. The
“target behavior” is referring to
whether the test subjects expressed the appropriate level of facial expression when asked
to recall specific times in their lives when they felt certain strong emotions. If you wish to
blend-in while visiting Scandinavian countries, it might be a good idea to refrain from
expressing excess emotion.
[12] Website and Figure 1: http://www-psych.stanford.edu/~tsailab/PDF/Variation%20among%20European%20Americans.pdf
A Westerner trying to assimilate to another culture may find this a difficult undertaking. Of the non-verbal
communication aspects of our Western culture, the use of silence could be one of the more challenging ones.
Figure 1
16. The Silence of the WesternerThe use of silence is often overlooked by Westerners. We typically feel compelled to fill silence with words, often banal
chatter or meaningless conversation. Western culture is considered a “low context” culture, where words take the place of
a cultural context or history. In contrast, Arab and Asian are “high-context” cultures where the culture or “context” of a
situation is more apparent and understood. “From the Japanese perspective, quietly taking a moment to think everything
through is appropriate behavior. From the perspective of Americans, whose communication depends on actual words, the
silence is misinterpreted as a rejection. Low-context people dislike the silence.” [13]
[13] Website: http://www.texasenterprise.utexas.edu/2011/04/15/workplace/americans-hate-silence-they-love-words
Talking Too Much Image: http://www.nicoleunderwood.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/blah-blah.jpg
As hard as it might seem, resisting the urge to fill the silence gaps with
useless chatter is important if you wish blend-in to an Asian or Arab
culture.
Japan
Morocco
As Westerners, we have other facets of our non-verbal language that
can be just as hard to adapt to the norms of other cultures. In
addition to the use of silence, the amount of personal space (or lack
thereof) is something that a Westerner might take a while to get
used to.
17. Westerner, Coming Through!
Westerns like their space. We’re used to having plenty of “elbow room” and tend to distance ourselves from strangers
more so than people from other cultures. With the increased world population and the large number of people living
in limited spaces, we as Westerners should consider it a luxury to be able to walk down the street without being in
constant contact with those around us. In many countries, Egypt, Brazil [14] and China, to name a few, the amount
of personal space one is afforded is very small, if any at all. Egyptians,
for example, don’t have the same requirements for personal space and
might make a Westerner feel uncomfortable by how close they are
standing. Conversely, an
Egyptian might wonder why
an American keeps moving
away from them, as if
they were being avoided.
The American may have no
idea they left the Egyptian
confused.
[14] Website: http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/05/05/181126380/how-different-cultures-handle-personal-space
Gimme Space Guy Image: http://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/images/194-personal_space.jpg
Crowded Pool Image: http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TnjfsmiFrPY/UCPcrm--SgI/AAAAAAAAbno/6tBssi12PZs/china-crowded-pool-1%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800
Egypt Brazil China
18. In Conclusion…
As a Westerner, we often fail to recognize another culture’s particular non-verbal communications meanings. We
sometimes make the mistake of assuming that all cultures share the same meanings for our hand gestures, levels of
eye contact and other non-verbal communications. The repercussions for failing to understand a culture’s specific
non-verbal communication meanings can vary from embarrassment to violence, from expensive to harmful. The
reward for taking the time to familiarize yourself with a culture’s unique non-verbal communications can be priceless.
Married Couple Image: http://media.wild-about-travel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Getting-Married-Japanese-Style.jpg
Final Thoughts…..
- Have you experienced a situation where you were conveying a non-verbal
message that you didn’t intend because of a cultural difference in it’s
meaning? Did you eventually come to understand the difference?
- Have you ever experienced a situation where you misunderstood
someone else’s non-verbal communication because of a cultural
difference in meaning? Were you offended?
- What are some other examples of a Western non-verbal communication
that might be misunderstood by another culture?
19. References:
[1] Website: http://www.andrews.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/NonVerbal.html
[2] Website: http://www.pacsafe.com/blog/five-hand-gestures-to-avoid-while-traveling/
[3] Website: http://www.brighthubpm.com/monitoring-projects/85141-project-communication-tips-nonverbal-
communication-in-different-cultures/
[4] Book: Axtell, R., & Fornwald, M. (1998). Gestures: The do's and taboos of body language around the world (Rev. and
expanded ed.). New York: Wiley.
[5] Website: https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/body-speaks.aspx
[6] Website: http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-common-gestures-easily-misunderstood-abroad/
[7] Website: http://www.dauntlessjaunter.com/2011/11/17/common-gestures-in-one-place-but-offensive-elsewhere/
[8] Website: http://www.viralnova.com/rude-hand-gestures/
[9] Website: https://www.rpi.edu/dept/advising/american_culture/social_skills/nonverbal_communication/
reading_exercise.htm
[10] Personal Interview: Scott G. Relaford, PhD in Asian Culture at The University of Tokyo, PhD in Psychology at University
of California, Los Angeles. Phone interview conducted in Tacoma, WA on 6/1/15
[11] Website: http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/11/non-verbal-behavior-in-cross-cultural-interactions/
[12] Website: http://www-psych.stanford.edu/~tsailab/PDF/Variation%20among%20European%20Americans.pdf
[13] Website: http://www.texasenterprise.utexas.edu/2011/04/15/workplace/americans-hate-silence-they-love-words
[14] Website: http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/05/05/181126380/how-different-cultures-handle-personal-
space