Non-Verbal Communication in Different Cultures
Non-Verbal Communication in Different Cultures
Non-Verbal Communication in Different Cultures
COPIAR
BSA – 501
Introduction:
Eye Movements:
In a country like France, however, a stranger may feel quite free to look at
someone he is interested in and try to acknowledge his interest by making eye contact.
Therefore, it is important for a visitor to understand the full implications of what he or
she may be implying by returning the eye contact initiated by someone else. In many
Asian, African and Latin American cultures, extended eye contact can be taken as an
affront or a challenge of authority. It is often considered more polite to have only
sporadic or brief eye contact, especially between people of different social registers (like
a student and a teacher, or a child and his elder relatives).
Hand Movements
Thumbs-up
This widely recognized sign of approval or agreement is actually used as an
insult in-Bangladesh. In certain parts of the Middle East, thumbs-up is definitely a
highly offensive.
Come Here
This is used in the United States to ask a person to step forward, but in Asia this
gesture isn’t welcome It should only be used to beckon dogs…if you do it in the
Philippines you could be arrested.
Body Contact
Appearance
People are often judged or assessed based on their appearance. How one
dresses (clothing), grooms oneself (hair, makeup, etc.) and even modesty can convey
various messages in communication. Many cultures are offended by shoulders or legs
exposed even while visiting museums and places of worship. The variances are so
great on this topic that we would recommend dressing up or more conservatively is
always best when traveling.
In Southwestern Asia, the area often known as the Middle East, the rejection of
Western culture and beauty standards, along with the insurgence of Islamic traditions,
has seen the rise in more traditional, Arabic clothing. In contrast, the Suri people of
Ethiopia find beauty represented in women’s lip plates. When a girl reaches puberty, her
bottom teeth are removed to make way for a piercing in the lower lip. In contemporary
times, having large eyes is seen as a mark of beauty by some Asia
Physical Space
Countries that are densely populated generally have much less need for personal
space than those that are not. The Japanese, for example, are less likely to react
strongly to an accidental touch by a stranger than Americans. Less personal space is
also needed in areas such as Latin America, and, in the context of one-on-one
conversations, the Middle East. Muslims also have strict cultural rules about touching.
Men and women cannot touch, even casually, in public. You will not see couples, even
married, walking down the street holding hands.
Facial Expressions
When a person is laughing or smiling, it may not simply mean they are happy
when you consider broader cultural context. For example, in Japan, people smiling or
laughing might mean they are angry and are trying to conceal it. In many Asian cultures,
not revealing real feelings is a sign of maturity. However, in American culture and some
European cultures, people usually do not hide their real emotions, and are more
straightforward.
A smile may show affection, convey politeness, or disguise true feelings. For
example many people in Russia consider smiling at strangers in public to be unusual
and even suspicious behavior.
Posture
Posture can convey power structures, attitudes and levels of civility. Slouching in
Taiwan is considered disrespectful, while other parts of the world may not think much of
it one way or another. In America, standing with hands on the hips may suggest power
or pride, but in Argentina, it may suggest anger or a challenge.
Many cultures also frown upon showing the bottom of the shoe, something that is
considered dirty. Therefore, sitting with the foot resting on the opposite knee is strongly
discouraged in places such as many Arab countries.
Many American business executives enjoy relaxing with their feet up on their
desks. But to show a person from Saudi Arabia or Thailand the sole of one's foot is
extremely insulting, because the foot is considered the dirtiest part of the body.
The use of and attitude toward silence can also be considered a type of
paralanguage. The Greeks use silence as a way to refuse things, while Egyptians use it
to consent. Some cultures (such as those in Asia) are generally more comfortable with
long bouts of silence than others. Silence in Asian cultures can be a sign of respect. In
Africa, silence is seen as a way of enjoying someone’s company; it implies that you are
comfortable enough together not to need to fill every moment with noise.
Head Movements
When a person is nodding the head, the worldwide perception would think the
person means yes. On the contrary, in India, nodding the head means “no”, and shaking
the head means “yes.”
Head movements can have very different meanings in different parts of the
world. For example, in India, a side-to-side head tilt is used to confirm something. In
Japan, a nod means that you have been heard, but not necessarily that there is
agreement.