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Human Communication Test

This document discusses nonverbal communication and cultural norms in Latin America. It provides guidance on greetings, conversations, public manners, dress, and appointments when visiting Latin America. Specifically, it notes that greetings often involve kissing or embracing. Gestures have different meanings across cultures. Dress conservatively to avoid offense. Appointments may be up to two hours after the scheduled time without apology seen as necessary. Visitors should be respectful of cultural differences rather than insisting their own ways are better.

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107 views2 pages

Human Communication Test

This document discusses nonverbal communication and cultural norms in Latin America. It provides guidance on greetings, conversations, public manners, dress, and appointments when visiting Latin America. Specifically, it notes that greetings often involve kissing or embracing. Gestures have different meanings across cultures. Dress conservatively to avoid offense. Appointments may be up to two hours after the scheduled time without apology seen as necessary. Visitors should be respectful of cultural differences rather than insisting their own ways are better.

Uploaded by

Wharyanti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING 7

Nonverbal Communication

1. Five topic sentences have been removed from the passage; choose from the sentences a-f
the one which fits each gap 1-5. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to
use.

a. A visit to any country is richer when you know something about it in advance.
b. Do not make appointments before ten o’clock.
c. One of the easiest ways to offend is to dress inappropriately.
d. Remember that a Latin American’s sense of priorities may be different
e. To make a good impression, it’s important to know how you will be greeted and to react
properly.
f. Gestures mean different things in different countries.

Greetings
(1) ____. In many parts of Latin America, greetings are often rather effusive. People sometimes
shake hands and sometimes kiss or embrace. In some places, women will be kissed three times
on the cheek – twice in greetings and once as a wish for marriage – and should not be offended
by this.

Conversation
People from English-speaking countries often believe in being open, frank and direct, Latin
American take pride in being tactful and complimentary. Follow suit to avoid giving offense.
Try to learn before you go. (2) _____. To make a good impression in business or to strike up an
acquaintance, however, it’s essential to know something about the other person’s world. For
instance, learning about soccer, a sport which is almost an obsession in most of Latin America,
will give you an instant topic of conversation.

In Public
Some public manners and gestures don’t travel. You may offend when you least intend to. For
example, in conversation Latin Americans naturally tend to stand very close.
Don’t back away, or you might be considered snobbish and aloof.
Be careful talking with your hands. (3)____. The cheerful “OK” sign with the thumb and index
finger of the right hand in a circle is obscene in most Latin American countries.

Dress
(4) ____. North Americans are pretty much used to wearing what they want, but dress that is
too casual is very offensive in some areas of Latin America. When selecting your travel
wardrobe, remember that you rarely err by being on the conservative side.

Appointments

(5)____. If someone has an appointment with you, and a friend drops in, he or she will never
say to the friend, “I’m sorry, I can’t see you now.” Friends always come first, even if they stay
three hours! Appointments can happen up to two hours after the agreed time, and no apology
is deemed necessary. Frustrating though it may feel, visitors cannot single-handedly change
basic cultural traits such as the Latin view of time, nor should they presume that their way is
CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING 7
better. Remember, you’re the visitor.

2. Are the following statements true or false?


a. If a man kisses a woman three times, it means he wants to marry her.
b. Latin Americans tend to be more indirect than North Americans.
c. Travelers to Latin America should learn how to play soccer.
d. Most gestures mean the same in North and South America.
e. Latin Americans in general dress more formally than North Americans.
f. It is considered very impolite to be late for an appointment in Latin America.

3. Try to guess the meaning of the words in italics below, as they are used in the passage.

a. Follow suit to avoid giving offense


b. … strike up an acquaintance
c. Some public manners and gestures don’t travel
d. …you rarely err by being on the conservative side
e. ….visitors cannot single-handedly change basic cultural traits

4. Look at the verbs in the box and answer the questions.


beckon blow bow chew clap cuddle frown grin hug
kiss kneel laugh nod nudge pat pinch point scratch
shrug smile stare stoop stretch wave wink yawn

1. Are there any verbs which describe actions that are socially unacceptable to perform in
public In your country?
2. Which verbs describe gestures which are warm and friendly?
3. Which part of the body do you use to perform the actions of the verbs?

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