Task 2.

Intercultural Communication (Class Standing)

Directions: Research about the communication modes, practices and styles (both
verbal and non-verbal cues) of the different countries/regions listed below and prepare a
Power Point Presentation regarding the communication modes and styles of the country you
chose. Be sure to be detailed in your presentation. Send it to your teacher’s email.
[email protected]

List of Countries/Regions:

a. Philippines f. Italy k. North America p. Japan

b. India g. Germany l. South America q. Malaysia
c. South Korea h. Great Britain m. Egypt r. Thailand
d. Saudi Arabia i. Russia n. Sudan s. Spain
e. Uzbekistan j. Australia o. Zimbabwe t.

Task 2. Intercultural Communication (Class Standing)

Directions: Research about the communication modes, practices and styles (both verbal and non-
verbal cues) of the different countries/regions listed below. Send it to your teacher’s email.
[email protected]

List of Countries/Regions:

f. Philippines f. Italy k. North America p. Japan

g. India g. Germany l. South America q. Malaysia
h. South Korea h. Great Britain m. Egypt r. Thailand
i. Saudi Arabia i. Russia n. Sudan s. Spain
j. Uzbekistan j. Australia o. Zimbabwe

 Philippines

Verbal

Communication Style: Filipinos will try to express their opinions and ideas diplomatically and with
humility to avoid appearing arrogant. The tone of voice varies widely by language, dialect and region.

Indirect Communication: Filipinos often communicate indirectly in order to prevent a loss of face and
evoking hiya on either side of an exchange. They tend to avoid interrupting others and are more attentive
to posture, expression and tone of voice to draw meaning. Speech is often ambiguous and Filipinos may
speak in the passive voice rather than the active to avoid being perceived as speaking harshly. To find the
underlying meaning, it is common to check for clarification several times.

Refusals: Since many Filipinos try to save face and avoid hiya in their interactions, many will be overly
polite and seldom give a flat ‘no’ or negative response. When conversing with your Filipino counterpart,
try to focus on hints of hesitation. Listen to what they say and also pay close attention to what they don’t
say.

Respect: When speaking to those who are older or of higher status, Filipinos tend to use the polite forms
of speech. At the end of phrases, sentences or questions, they will say ‘po’ to demonstrate this respect
for hierarchy. For example, when conversing with an elder or someone of higher status, one will say
‘salamat po’ (‘thank you po’).

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: Among relatives or friends of the same gender, it is common for Filipinos to walk hand
in hand or arm in arm. This is generally done so as a sign of affection, friendship or if they are shy and
would like someone to accompany them. Filipinos tend to be modest and conservative in their interactions
with their significant other, and public displays of affection among couples (such as kissing or hugging) is
quite uncommon.

Personal Space: When interacting with people they are familiar with, Filipinos tend to prefer standing at
an arm's length from one another. Around strangers this distance is farther. However, in public areas like a
market or subway, personal space is often limited and pushing is common.

Laughter: While Filipinos often laugh in conversations, the meaning of laughter tends to depend on the
situation. At times, laughing may indicate happiness or pleasure, while other times it may be used to
relieve tension. In some circumstances, laughter is used as an attempt to cover embarrassment.

Pointing: Filipinos may point to objects by puckering their lips and moving their mouths in the direction
they are pointing to. Pointing with the index finger is often understood as an expression of anger.

Gestures: Putting one’s hands on their hips is a sign of anger.

Beckoning: The common way to beckon someone is by gesturing with the hand facing downwards and
waving fingers towards oneself, the same gesture that would represent ‘shooing’ in Australia. If a Filipino
wants someone’s attention, it is common for them to make a sound like ‘pssst’.

 India

Verbal

Indirect Communication: The communication style of Indians tends to be polite and indirect. They may
try to speak appealingly to those they are not close to in order to avoid conflict or confrontation. People
often exchange opinions or viewpoints through negotiation rather than arguing that their perspective is
definitively correct. This communication style can come across as ambiguous. Direct communication is
reserved for relationships with a high level of trust or crucial situations. 

Refusals: Direct refusals, such as ‘no’, may be considered to be too harsh and open disagreement is likely
to be interpreted as hostile or aggressive. Therefore, Indians tend to give evasive refusals and indirectly
express disagreement. Indians may use phrases such as ‘maybe’ or ‘I'll do my best’ as a way to express
‘no'. Moreover, ‘yes' has various connotations that differ from the word's usage in English-speaking
Western cultures. For example, an Indian may say ‘yes’ to indicate that they are listening to the speaker,
whilst indicating disagreement or refusal through their body language.

Silence: Sometimes people will remain silent rather than provide a direct ‘no’. Thus, it is advisable to pay
attention to what is not said, as the absence of agreement may be an expression of disagreement. 

Questioning: The cultural preoccupation with politeness and modesty can sometimes mean that some
Indians automatically answer ‘yes' to direct questions that require a yes or no answer. For an Indian, a flat
‘no' may indicate that you wish to end the relationship. One way of navigating around ambiguity is to
check for clarification several times using open-ended questions. For example, rather than asking “Is the
shop this way?”, it is better to ask “Which way is the shop?”.

Hierarchy: The social hierarchy of Indian society often influences communication patterns in many

scenarios. Respect and deference to authority figures in and outside the home are prevalent in various
ways, such as being sensitive about how one refuses requests and disagrees with a senior’s opinion.

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: Indians prefer not to touch people when it can be avoided, but they may touch
someone's arm or hand when speaking so long as they are the same gender. Body contact between the
genders is kept minimal throughout most of India. For example, hugging, kissing and holding hands are
not customary.

Personal Space: Indians generally respect each other's personal space and an arm's length of distance is
common during interactions. This is usually a similar proximity to what Westerners are familiar with.
They may stand further away from those who are of the opposite gender.

Eye Contact: In general, Indians prefer to keep eye contact minimal or avert their eyes from the opposite
gender rather than sustaining eye contact. Some women may avoid eye contact altogether.  Direct eye
contact is generally appropriate so long as you divert your gaze every so often. 

Whistling and Winking: Both these actions are considered sexually suggestive in India.

Head Tilt: People may tilt their head to the side or shake it to both sides to indicate agreement and
understanding. This head movement is similar to the Western gesture indicating “I don’t know” with a
shrug of the shoulders and tilting one’s head to the side.

Nodding: Indians will often nod to acknowledge what is said out of politeness. However, this does not
always mean they understand or agree. 

Gestures: Pointing the index finger towards someone is considered to be accusatory. A more polite way
to beckon or refer to someone is to use your whole palm facing down. Standing with your hands on your
hips suggests that you are angry or ready to argue. Holding or pulling on one's ears is a gesture that
indicates sincerity or repentance.

Head: The head is considered to be the holiest part of one's body. Touching someone on the top of the
head is deemed to be insensitive and offensive. 
Feet: Feet are thought to be the dirtiest part of the body, and displaying the soles of one’s feet or touching
people with one’s feet is considered rude.

 South Korea

Verbal

Indirect Communication: The South Korean communication pattern is generally indirect and quite

verbose. They tend to rely less on words and are attentive to a speaker’s posture, expression and tone of
voice to draw meaning. Speech can be ambiguous as they often understate their point. The purpose of this
is to maintain harmony throughout the conversation and prevent a loss of face on either end of the
exchange. The best way of navigating this rhetoric to find the underlying meaning is to check for
clarification several times through open-ended questions.

Refusals: A South Korean’s preoccupation with saving face and politeness means that they will seldom
give a flat ‘no’ or negative response, even when they don’t agree with you. Therefore, focus on hints of
hesitation, listening to what they say, but also paying careful attention to what they subtly imply.

Speech Style: While they may be indirect in their communication style, South Koreans generally speak
quite firmly and use less gestures and facial expressions. This can make them come across as stern.
Expect them to give serious replies and retorts. They also tend to ask questions in order to discern their
status in comparison to the person they are talking to. These can catch people off guard (for example:
“How much do you earn?” or “How old are you?”).

Silence: Silence is an important and purposeful tool used in Asian communication. Pausing before giving
a response indicates that someone has applied appropriate thought and consideration to the question. It
reflects politeness and respect.

Laughter: Laughter is sometimes used in awkward situations. A Korean may laugh when they feel
uncomfortable and not necessarily because what was said was genuinely funny.

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: Koreans are generally not very physically affectionate with one another. However,
male friends may touch one another more than Western man, and girls may walk hand-in-hand.

Personal Space: Personal space is not guarded very closely in Korea. People generally expect to come
into contact with strangers on busy streets and tend not to worry or apologize when personal space is
invaded.

Pointing: People do not point with their index finger but rather with their entire hand.

Beckoning: One beckons by fluttering all fingers to one’s hand with the palm facing towards the ground.
Eye Contact: During a discussion or friendly conversation, make full eye contact with the person you are
talking to. Avoid direct eye contact if you are scolded/rebuked by someone older or of a higher status than
you. Some Koreans may also avoid eye contact with their superiors on a regular basis.

Hands: Use two hands or your right hand alone to offer or receive something.

Gestures: It is considered rude to make a fist with your hand while placing the thumb between the middle
and index finger.

Expressions: Koreans tend to some across as quite straight-faced in conversation. However, their facial
expressions can immediately expose when they are angry or in disagreement.

Smiling: As well as an expression of glee and humor, smiling can indicate that one is feeling ashamed or
embarrassed in Korean culture. For example, a Korean may smile when they make a mistake.

Sneezing: Sneezing is considered rude in Korea. It is best practice to excuse yourself from the room if
you have to.

 Saudi Arabia

Verbal

Indirect Communication: Saudi Arabians generally have an indirect communication style. It is common

for people to understate their opinion in an effort to save face and remain polite. You may have to make
assumptions about what is not said. For example, if you offend a Saudi person, you may not be made
aware that you have done so in the moment. They may become silent or cold towards you later on (e.g.
perhaps becoming hard to contact or disagreeing with more of your ideas). Other communicative cues,
such as body language and eye contact, often convey meaning. As a broad generalisation, Saudi women
tend to be more indirect and reserved communicators than Saudi men. 

Conversation Style: When conversing with one another, Saudis generally strive to maintain
group harmony by avoiding individual attention or singling out a specific person. It is common for Saudis
to range from subject to subject while conversing, taking a long time before getting to the point. They
may make their point in a long, roundabout way to avoid embarrassment or offence. For example, a
conversation may begin at descriptions of the weather and move onto a discussion of business. To some,
this may appear to indicate that the conversation is going ‘off-topic’. However, appreciate that there is a
more relaxed attitude to time that allows conversation to unfold more slowly in Saudi culture. The best
way of reaching an understanding is to ask open-ended questions that allow a Saudi to reach their answer
in their own time whilst giving agreeable responses as they talk. 

Hierarchy: People’s communication patterns can differ depending on the context. Generally, when
speaking in a business setting or with someone who is more familiar to the person, it is common to speak
in a more direct manner (e.g. openly disagreeing with others). However, people tend to be
very indirect and respectful to their seniors, such as elders or professionals. When the eldest person
speaks, everybody is expected to listen and pay their full attention as a sign of respect.
Requests: If you ask a Saudi to do something for you that is within their means, they will often respond
with “I’ll see what I can do”, “perhaps” or something to that effect. If the task is not a high priority or is
dependent on their availability, Saudis often reply with “Inshallah”, meaning ‘if God wills it’ (i.e.
perhaps, but it is the fate of God if it doesn’t happen). This could mean that they may not complete it for
some time (or at all) unless prompted. It is best to follow up several times to check on their progress if the
matter is urgent.

Criticism: Personal criticism or advice should always be approached sensitively and privately. It can
quite easily be mistaken for mild personal offence unless presented in an indirect way. Therefore, try to
offer any suggestion of improvement with praise at the same time.

Volume: Saudi men may speak loudly with a rising tone. This is seen as a positive characteristic rather
than a negative one. Indeed, ‘shouting’ can indicate sincerity and engagement in the conversation, not
necessarily anger or hostility. Saudi women are expected to be quieter and more reserved.

Language Style: Poetry is a regular feature of Saudi communication, most commonly used for deep
praise or insults. People use poetic citations for preaching, greetings and speeches. Saudi/Arabic
expressions and language can be very emotive. The structure of the language encourages repetition and
exaggeration.

Humor: Saudi Arabians tend to have quite self-deprecating humor. People are often comfortable poking
fun at themselves. However, some may be sensitive about being embarrassed and laughed at. It is
inadvisable to tease another person and/or poke fun at things. It is very offensive to make a joke that
involves a man’s female family members, the government or sexuality. Be aware that blasphemy is
punishable in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, all jokes about religion are strictly prohibited.

Blessings: Blessings are said on a daily basis in Saudi Arabia. These are short Arabic expressions that
wish for God’s intervention depending on the situation (e.g. “May God give you health”). Blessings are
often said instead of a ‘Thank you’.

Swearing: Swearing is very uncommon in Saudi culture and thought to indicate a lack of decorum. If
someone does swear, it is usually said in the form of a curse (e.g. “May God curse your family”).

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: People are usually comfortable hugging and touching friends of the same gender. It is
common for two men to hold hands in public when they are sitting or walking somewhere as a gesture of
friendship. However, physical contact between people of the opposite gender should be avoided
altogether out of respect and politeness (unless they are family).

Personal Space: Saudi standards of personal space differ depending on the context. If the person is a
friend of the same gender, the distance is often smaller than what Westerners are used to in public. For
example, two friends may nestle together when sitting. However, it may be bigger in instances when there
is a difference of authority or when the other person is from the opposite gender. It is best to keep at least
a meter distance between you and a Saudi person to respect the modesty of the other person if you do not
know them well.
Eye Contact: When talking to people of the same age, gender or status, direct eye contact is expected.
Strong eye contact indicates sincerity and trust, especially in business. However, males and females are
expected to lower their gaze and avoid sustained eye contact with each other. Some men may look at the
ground to avoid observing a female altogether. This is considered respectful and observant of the partition
between genders. Younger people may also lower their gaze when speaking to elders out of respect.

Beckoning: It is impolite to beckon with a single index finger or the left hand. Instead, place the right
palm downwards and use a clawing motion with fingers to indicate a “come here” request.

Pointing: It is considered very rude to point with the index finger. Instead, Saudis raise their chin and
look in the general direction of the object they wish to “point out”.

Feet: It is considered insulting to show or expose the soles of your feet to other people. Avoid pointing
your feet towards other people when sitting down or crossing your legs around elders.

Gestures

There is a saying that “to tie an Arab’s hands while he is speaking is tantamount to tying his tongue”.
Saudi Arabians tend to use a range of motions and many gestures whilst speaking. These emphasize,
exaggerate and/or demonstrate the point of their words, and also give further meaning when little is said.
Some common gestures are listed below:

Disagreement: People may indicate “no” by shaking their head or disagreement/disapproval by quickly

tilting their head back whilst clicking their tongue.

Patience: If a Saudi person needs someone to wait, they may touch their thumb, forefinger and middle
finger together and motion to the person they wish to ask to be patient. For example, this action may be
performed by someone who is speaking on the phone to another person approaching them.

Sincerity: Placing the palm of the right hand on one’s chest shows respect or sincerity when saying
something earnest (such as an apology).

Agreement: To touch the other’s shoulder with one’s right hand can indicate agreement.

Obscenity: Hitting one’s right fist into the left hand and lightly rubbing it in the open palm indicates
obscenity or contempt. The symbol for ‘Okay’ (with the forefinger and the top of the thumb meeting to
form a circle, with the other fingers stretched out) has an offensive meaning, although the Western
meaning is becoming more common. Holding the hand up (as if to say ‘stop’) with the middle finger
down is the equivalent of giving someone ‘the finger’ in Western culture.

 Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is moderately hierarchical, so when interacting with Uzbeks, you should remember the
following tips:

You will need to give clear, explicit directions regarding duties, deadlines, and decisions.
As a manager, you will be expected to demonstrate an authoritative leadership style.

Do not expect employees to display individual initiative: they expect to take direction from the leader.

Be aware that people expect to be treated differently based on their socio-economic backgrounds or levels
in the organization.

Show the appropriate level of deference and respect. Through language and behavior to the more senior
members of society.

Expect to encounter more bureaucracy in organizations and government agencies.

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL STYLE

The importance of appearance as an indicator of status.

The importance of protocol and etiquette.

The appropriate use of titles, surnames, and honorifics.

The appropriateness of discussing personal matters at work.

Appropriate ways of meeting people, building relationships, and entertaining.

Uzbekistan is a formal society. When you interact with Uzbeks:

Address people by their appropriate title and name. Do not move to a first-name basis until invited.

In general, it is best to use the formal tense when using the local language.

Status is important and you may be judged on the image you present, the clothes you wear and where you
live and what car you drive. These external cues matter to locals.

Do not ask personal questions in a social setting unless you have developed a close relationship with
someone Check to be certain it is proper to use social functions to network.

Check with a colleague or local national about rules of protocol and etiquette about specific
circumstances since being correct with etiquette is important.

Uzbekistan is a group-oriented culture. The following will help you when you interact with Uzbeks:

People value their role as a team member and identify themselves first as part of a group, then as an
individual.

They may be uncomfortable if too much focus is placed on them individually.

In general, people will consult with others before stating their opinion.
Individuals are not generally comfortable taking credit for their accomplishments preferring the praise to
be given to the entire group.

Promotions tend to be based on seniority and relationships rather than performance individuals feel a
strong sense of responsibility for family members.

Decision-making may be a slow process since consensus is important. Once a decision is reached, an
implementation may be quite rapid.

Uzbekistan is an interpersonal, relationship-oriented culture. When you have a business or social

interaction with Uzbeks, remember these points:

Relationship building is important and tends to be somewhat formal and ritualized.

In general, relationship building takes time and attention. In return, once developed, relationships are
long-lived.

Expect to be asked personal questions. This is how locals learn more about you as a person so that they
can be learned if the type of person with whom they want a relationship.

In a business situation, personal relationships, trust, and familiarity will likely take precedence over price
and perhaps even efficiency.

Employing or giving favorable treatment to family members and friends may be good business, and what
may be considered to be "nepotism" in your culture may be openly accepted.

There are expectations that people have of relationship-based behavior, which may include going out after
work to socialize, entertaining at one's home, or even inviting someone for the weekend, and while these
may be seen as casual in your culture, they carry an underlying assumption of friendship.

Uzbekistan is an indirect communication culture. The following tips will give you clues about how
you might handle communication with Uzbeks:

Nonverbal gestures are important to enhance the meaning and acceptance of the words being spoken.

Adding some context, background information, and dialog are important to assure understanding.

Eloquence in verbal communication and meticulous preparation of written or visual communication

forms are highly valued

Take care when making introductions to have a respectful, even deferential demeanor

Show you are considering the subject thoroughly when a topic is presented.

Uzbekistan is a Fluid Time culture. The following tips will give you clues about how you may best
interact with Uzbek colleagues:

Time schedules and deadlines are not necessarily considered final. Tending to relationships may be more
important.
Given their exposure to global business standards, people generally know that foreigners value
promptness and they may strive to comply. This may be less pronounced when meeting with government
officials.

There is generally a large window of accepted lateness for social events in someone's house.

It may be rude to interrupt a colleague who is taking a long time to deliver a message, and brevity to
maintain time schedules is not considered a virtue.

Uzbekistan is an External Control society. When interacting with

Uzbeks, you should remember the following tips:

People in these societies believe they have limited control over their destiny or environment.

Although change may be viewed in a positive light, Uzbeks may be reluctant to adopt new products or
systems without a great deal of research.

Employees expect managers to be strong leaders who care for their staff and take a personal interest in
their lives.

When delegating work to employees, it is a good idea to make periodic checks on progress

Risk tolerance is often a matter of position, with risk tolerance limited to those in decision-making
positions.

Uzbekistan is a Balance-Motivation culture.

Individuals value their personal and family time.

Personal identity, status, and sense of personal accomplishment are derived from family, education, and
pursuits outside of the workplace.

Employees see a clear distinction between work time and persona time and rarely blur those lines

Family obligations will take precedence over professional loyalties or advancement.

People are reluctant to permanently relocate and leave family and friends

 Italy

Verbal

Direct Communication: Italians are typically direct communicators. They tend to be open about their
emotions and speak clearly about their point. They generally expect similar honesty from their
conversation partner and hence may fail to read into understatements. Therefore, avoid ambiguity
and indirect speech.
Communication Style: Italians are generally quite open, inquisitive and bold. Expect to be asked a lot
about your life story and background. You may find that they are eager to give their opinions or advice on
your activity. For example, they may point out an error in your organization of your home and give you a
tip on how to correct it. Foreigners can find this judgmental or nosey. However, avoid ignoring them or
shutting down their questions and comments. This may lead them to see you as closed off or overly
sensitive.

Silence: Italians can grow uncomfortable with prolonged periods of silence and may naturally speak to
fill it.

Raised Voices: Italians may speak in loud voices to make themselves heard over one another. A raised
voice is not necessarily a sign of anger, but can be an expression of excitement or conviction. You may
find people talk over one another in order to be heard.

Humor: Italians often enjoy joking throughout conversation to lighten the mood. Having humor in one’s
voice can allow people to speak their mind quite openly. Be aware that their humor can be quite cynical,
making fun of sensitive topics. They can also be quite self-deprecating, ironic and sarcastic. Expect them
to mock one another and slip sarcasm or double meanings into any topic of conversation.

Online Communication: Consider that some Italians may find online communication to be an

impersonal form of interaction or a lazy way of maintaining a relationship. The older generation in
particular may limit its use to helping organize further face-to-face interaction. This does not apply to the
younger generations that are more involved in the digital world.

Non-Verbal

Personal Space: Italians generally keep a close proximity to one another, sometimes standing less than a
meter away from the person they are talking to. While this distinction is not always noticeable, they may
think you are avoiding them if you move farther away from what they consider to be normal.

Physical Contact: Italians are generally tactile people and quite affectionate. It is common to see

hugging, kissing, back slapping and hand holding in public. People may touch their conversation partner
to show their engagement in the discussion – for example, nudging them or touching their arm when
pointing something out. Friends may also walk arm-in-arm in public.

Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is expected and held during conversations. In some places in Italy,
people may inadvertently stare out of curiosity. However, be aware that staring is generally considered
rude and can also represent an act of defiance if a person of low social status stares at someone higher
than them.

Expression: Italians are naturally more expressive in their tone of voice, facial expressions and body
language, often motioning with their hands to emphasize their point. This can sometimes seem theatrical.
Expect many gestures to be used during communication and consider how much you use your own in
comparison. Newly migrated Italians can often interpret Australian body language to be stiff and
reserved.
Gestures: To rub one’s thumb against the fingers indicates money. People may acknowledge the
cleverness of another person by pulling down the bottom eyelid with a finger. People can gesture “no” by
jerking their head upwards –- be aware this can look similar to a nod.

Counting: Italians start counting with their thumb instead of their index finger. The thumb represents 1,
and so on.

 Germany

Verbal

Direct Communication: German communication styles are quite direct and functionally purposed.

People generally speak honestly, clearly and explicitly to arrive straight to the point. Criticism may be
delivered vaguely in order to remain polite and avoid offence, but a German’s intention and meaning is
usually clear and apparent through their precise word choice. This communication style can cause
Germans to interpret others’ words literally. It can also give some foreigners the impression that they are
quite brash or blunt. However, it is simply their way of ensuring clear communication.

Small Talk: As German communication is quite functionally purposed, people tend to spend less time
warming up conversation with small talk. It is not considered rude to jump straight to the point of a
meeting or conversation. Germans are usually open to indulging in idle chit-chat when they notice their
counterpart wants to talk lightly; however, they are unlikely to initiate it.

Honesty: While it is important to be polite and discreet when delivering difficult news, it is also very
important to be honest with Germans. They generally speak openly about what is important to them.
Avoid being evasive when you are asked sensitive questions. Exercise discretion and be
honest; indirect behavior is likely to be interpreted literally.

Humor: Germans often laugh about the irony of situations, wordplay and innuendos. However, many of
these jokes lose their hilarity when translated into English. Furthermore, as Germans are quite direct
communicators, they may take jokes literally – for example, missing the sarcasm in the speaker’s tone.
This has seen the German people be stereotyped as humorless and serious. Be careful when making self-
deprecating jokes as they are less common in Germany. If the German you’re speaking with is not
familiar with such humor, it can easily be misinterpreted as a real lack of self-confidence. The same can
be said of jokes that talk about another person’s failing as the punch line.

Silence: Germans tend to speak once they have something of significance to say and have already refined
their opinion. As such, they do not always have the compulsion to fill the silence.

Non-Verbal

Personal Space: Germans usually keep about an arm’s length distance between one another when
talking, and sometimes a little extra between men and women depending on how well they know each
other. Standing too close to someone can be seen as an invasion of their privacy.
Physical Contact: People tend not to touch one another very much during communication unless they are
close friends. Touching someone on the shoulder or arm to emphasize a point is generally acceptable, but
can otherwise be seen as a sexual advance. Women tend to be more physically affectionate with each
other than men. It is polite to apologize if you accidentally bump into someone or make unwanted
physical contact by saying “Entschuldigung” (Excuse me) in Germany.

Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is expected, especially when speaking about a serious matter. It conveys
sincerity and approachability. Avoiding eye contact may be seen as an indication of dishonesty or a lack
of confidence. It is appropriate to break eye contact now and again as holding it for prolonged periods can
make people uncomfortable. When talking to a group, be sure to make equal eye contact with all people
present. 

Gestures: Touching your index finger to your thumb in a circle to demonstrate ‘Okay’ or ‘Good’ can be
misunderstood. Instead of crossing the index finger and middle finger to indicate hoping for something or
“Good Luck”, Germans squeeze the tip of their thumb between those two fingers (Daumendrücken).
Letting one’s thumb protrude too far from between the fingers can be an obscene gesture, so only the tip
should be visible.

Pointing: Most Germans use their index finger to point, but some may use their little/pinkie finger.

Expression: Some Germans may have quite a serious exterior upon first meeting people, reserving smiles
for friends. Once they are familiar with someone, they generally become very animated.

 Great Britain

Verbal

Indirect Communication: The British are relatively indirect communicators; they strongly avoid

creating conflict and therefore take all necessary measures to remain polite throughout discussion. This
involves making indirect statements that vaguely communicate their message without ‘rocking the boat’
(upsetting the status quo). As a result, people often have to read between the lines since what is said is
most likely an understatement of what is actually meant (e.g. “not bad” means something is in fact quite
good).

Self-Deprecation: The British are quite self-deprecating in conversation in an effort to come across as

humble, honest and relaxed about themselves. Feel free to join in with the jokes by criticizing yourself in
a similar matter. However, agreeing with self-deprecating comments or jokes too enthusiastically can
become insulting to the person making them.

Humor: Humor is used a lot throughout British communication, so expect some light-hearted joking to
be involved in most conversations. Jokes about situational circumstances are often used to lighten moods
or approach difficult topics in an indirect way. That being said, British sarcasm and understatements can
be very subtle and nuanced, sometimes making it difficult for outsiders to detect whether they are kidding
or not. In this case, remember these communication habits and know that they’re most likely joking.

Listening: Avoid interrupting a person speaking. The British are polite listeners, rarely interrupting
others unless they need clarification about something.
Voicing Displeasure: British people are not likely to complain, and will tolerate bad service or food in
order to avoid making a scene. Therefore, they might become very nervous if you voice your
dissatisfaction in public. 

Criticism: Personal criticism should be voiced in an indirect way as well. Otherwise, this will only make
your British counterpart hostile and defensive, and your criticism will be ineffective.

Non-Verbal

Expression: The British do not always give away their emotions via facial expressions. For example,
they may not show it if they have been offended. On the other hand, keeping a straight, serious face can
be the punch line to many sarcastic jokes

Personal Space: The British like to be given a fair amount of personal space, and may feel
uncomfortable if someone sits or stands too close when other space is available. It is polite to maintain an
arm’s length distance between yourself and the person speaking. 

Physical Contact: British culture is generally quite reserved. People are generally comfortable touching
those they know well (e.g. backslapping is common among close friends). However, women tend to be
more physically affectionate with one another than men.

Gestures: Gestures are usually quite reserved, polite and less demonstrative. For example, tapping the
side of one’s nose means that something is confidential or to be kept secret. It is considered offensive to
make a V-sign with your index and middle finger, the palm facing inwards and the top of the hand facing
the other person. This is another way of saying “up yours” in their culture. However, the V-sign with the
palm facing outwards is understood as the sign for victory or peace.

Eye Contact: It is best to make direct eye contact that breaks away now and again. Prolonged eye contact
can make people feel uncomfortable, and staring is impolite. If talking to a group, be sure to make equal
eye contact with all who are present.

 Russia

Verbal

Direct Communication: Russians speak quite matter-of-factly and are generally comfortable with
directness. For example, they may not hesitate to correct people and can deliver criticism rather
honestly. While they may soften their tone when talking about sensitive topics, they usually speak to the
point and keep their words concise. This can give non-Russians the impression that they are being quite
blunt when that is not intended.

Humor: Russian humor is very sarcastic, dry and quite direct. It’s often self-deprecating. 

Swearing: It is common for Russians to swear in casual situations.

Non-Verbal

Personal Space: Russians tend to sit and stand quite close to one another.

Physical Contact: To reach out and touch another person during conversation (e.g. an arm around the
shoulder or a pat on the back) is a sign of confidence in the relationship. Friends may hug or kiss on the
cheek to greet, but Russians are generally limited in their physical contact. Strong physical affection is
generally only seen between couples of opposite genders.

Expressions: Russians, particularly men, often have a serious front towards strangers that softens once
they build familiarity with a person. While they are known to be very animated with friends, smiles are
not often exchanged between strangers on the street. There is an old idea that people who smile for no
reason must be simpletons.

Gestures: It is an obscenity to make a fist with the thumb protruding between the middle finger and index
finger. The symbol for ‘Okay’ (with the forefinger and the top of the thumb meeting to form a circle, with
the other fingers stretched out) also has offensive connotations. It is also a very rude and obscene gesture
to place your wrist or arm on the inside of your opposite elbow and then bend the elbow with a hand
closing in a fist.

Blessing: It is traditional for Orthodox Christians to make the ‘sign of the cross’ by using their index and
middle finger to touch their forehead, followed by their chest, right shoulder and left shoulder. However,
today, people generally perform the same gesture using three fingers (middle finger, index finger and
thumb) pinched together. This is a Russian Orthodox silent prayer to bless oneself throughout the day.

 Australia

Verbal

Direct Communication: In Australia, one’s status or position in a conversation is not easily

distinguishable by their appearance. Therefore, communication is more direct and functionally-purposed
to convey one’s message with clarity. Criticism can be delivered vaguely in order to remain polite and
avoid conflict, but an Australian’s intention and meaning is usually apparent through their precise word
choice. They tend to speak very honestly, yet with reasonable sensitivity.

Accent: Most Australians have the unique ability to swap quite easily from a strong Aussie accent to
speech that sounds more refined. For example, foreigners may be surprised to hear Australians talk to
them in quite polished, well-pronounced speech, but fall into using a strong ocker accent around other
Australians or when drinking.

Slang: Australians speak with slang spattered throughout their speech. The relevance or understandings
of certain slang words varies between age groups and areas, but Australians frequently shorten any words
that seem overly complicated by using diminutives. Sometimes these are spontaneous inventions that are
not commonly known, but many are commonplace (e.g. “arvo” – afternoon, “uni” – university).
Self-Deprecation: Australians are quite self-deprecating in conversation in an effort to come across as
humble, honest and relaxed about themselves. Feel free to join in with the jokes by criticising yourself in
a similar manner. That being said, avoid finding jokes too funny, adamantly agreeing to their self-
deprecating comments, as this can become insulting.

Humor: Humor is used in much Australian communication, so expect some light-hearted joking in most
conversations. Jokes about situational circumstances are often used to lighten moods or approach difficult
topics in an indirect way. Australian sarcasm can be very dry, witty and direct. It is sometimes difficult
for foreigners to detect when people are kidding as Australians do not always break from a joke to clarify.

Swearing: Swearing is more common in Australia than in many other cultures. Television programmers
are less censored and mainstream society is largely desensitized to words that foreigners may find vulgar.
It is normal to hear an Australian swear at some point during a conversation. Doing so yourself is unlikely
to hurt your chances with them – the informality of it can actually make them feel more comfortable
around you.

Silence: Australians sometimes grow uncomfortable when social chat is punctuated with long periods of
pause or silence and will therefore try to fill the gap with conversation.

Yeah/Nah: When responding to a basic question (such as “How are you?”), Australians sometimes give
multiple answers with immediately conflicting meanings. If this happens, take the last word they
answered with as what they mean. For example, “Yeah, nah” means “no”, “Nah, yeah” means “yes” and
“Yeah, nah, good” means “good”.

Non-Verbal

Eye Contact: Eye contact should be maintained directly as it translates sincerity, trustworthiness and
approachability. However, it is important to break eye contact intermittently as holding it for prolonged
periods can make Australians feel uncomfortable. When talking to a group, be sure to make equal eye
contact with all people present. Conversely, Aboriginal Australians are more likely to divert their eyes
during communication. Direct eye contact can be interpreted as disrespectful or confrontational in
Indigenous cultures, especially when it is made to someone older than one’s self. This may also apply to
Australian residents from cultures in which direct eye contact is similarly perceived.

Personal Space: Australians usually keep about an arm’s length distance between one another when
talking, and sometimes a little extra between men and women depending on how well they know each
other.

Physical Contact: People tend not to touch one another much during communication unless they are
close friends. Touching someone on the shoulder or arm to emphasize a point is generally acceptable, but
can otherwise be seen as a sexual advance. Women tend to be more physically affectionate with one
another than men.

Pointing: Australians point with their index finger, however it is considered rude to point directly at
someone. Instead, they should be indicated to verbally.

Obscene Gestures: Raising one’s middle finger or making the ‘V’ sign with one’s palm facing oneself is
considered very rude in Australia.
Beckoning: Australians beckon people by waving them over with their palm facing up.

 North America(Canada)

Verbal

Communication Style: Canadians are relatively indirect communicators; they try to avoid creating
conflict by taking careful measures to remain polite throughout discussion. This usually involves making
hints that vaguely communicate their message without ‘rocking the boat’. Nevertheless, communication is
not so indirect that one has to decipher it. Canadians tend to speak clearly enough that their intention and
meaning is often apparent through careful word choice. They tend to disagree openly but respectfully.

Linguistics: Canadians often punctuate sentences with the word ‘eh’ (pronounced ‘ay’).

Interruptions: People generally consider interruptions to be rude and do not appreciate them.

Non-Verbal

Eye Contact: Eye contact should be maintained directly and broken intermittently. People often make
enough eye contact to show their sincerity, but do not hold it for long durations to the point it seems
scrutinizing. Neglecting to make eye contact during a conversation can signify boredom or disinterest.

Physical Contact: Canadians tend not to touch each other much during casual conversation. Good friends
may hug, but people are generally not tactile with those they are not close with. A man showing a great
deal of physical contact to a woman (particularly in the workplace) can be seen as sexual harassment.

Personal Space: Canadians do not appreciate it when others invade their personal space, and often keep
about an arm’s length distance between themselves (as well as in crowded situations, such as queues).

Gestures: Canadians tend not to gesticulate very much during conversation. However, most usually enjoy
conversing with those who do as it gives the impression that the person making them is very interested in
the conservation.

 South America(Mexico)

Verbal

Indirect Communication: Mexicans are generally indirect communicators. They rarely

give direct refusals or deliver delicate information in a blunt way. This is considered impolite. Instead,
they tend to take a long-winded, roundabout approach to conveying their messages sensitively and
tactfully to avoid conflict or confrontation. This involves using gentler, more diplomatic expressions to
provide a negative answer in a more sensitive way. For example, they may say they will “see what I can
do” instead of giving a straight “no”.
Refusals: Mexicans can be quite hesitant to give direct refusals. This can mean that they agree to do
something they do not want to (or cannot do) in order to avoid sounding rude. If you ask a question that
requires a direct ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, your Mexican counterpart may take some time talking
inconclusively before reaching their answer. This is intended to soften the words. Furthermore, if you
receive a final answer that is unsettled (e.g. “maybe”, “let’s wait and see” or “let me think about that”), it
is a generally a good indicator that they mean “no”.

Language Style: When speaking in Spanish, Mexicans use a lot of diminutives to convey their meaning
in a softer or more affectionate way. This is usually done by adding ‘ito’ or ‘ita’ to the end of a word. For
example, they may refer to their “abuelo” (grandfather) as “abuelito” (meaning ‘grand pappy’), or they
may say that a man is “thin on top” (calvito) instead of “bald” (calvo).

Slang: It is common to hear Mexicans say ‘Güey’ at the end of a sentence when talking to friends or
those of the same status. This is a casual phrase that is the close equivalent of ‘dude’ in English. For
example, one might say “Si güey” meaning “Yeah dude”.

Formality: There are different forms of expression in Spanish that communicate varying levels of
courtesy and formality. The polite form of speech is to address people in the formal form of ‘you' (known
as ‘usted’). This should be used when addressing anyone of a higher status out of respect. The informal
‘you' (known as ‘tú’) is generally used between people who know each other very well and among the
youth.

Inverted Question Marks: In the Spanish language, questions are written with an inverted (or upside-
down) question mark at the beginning of the sentence. For example: ¿Cuántos años tienes? (How old are
you?).

Groups: In casual social situations, Mexicans may talk over one another and allow their laughter to grow
very loud. In these settings, it is generally acceptable to interrupt to be heard and join in with similar
enthusiasm.

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: Many Mexicans are generally very tactile people. Open displays of affection between
couples are common and acceptable. Among friends, people may nudge your arm, elbow or leg to
reinforce their points in conversations, put an arm around your shoulder in camaraderie or hold both your
shoulders to show deep appreciation. Some people may even casually finger the lapel of another person’s
clothing, or neaten their attire for them. All these moments of physical interaction are meant to signify
friendly affection and approachability.

Personal Space: Mexicans typically stand quite close to each other while talking. Maintaining too great a
distance from another person can be seen as unfriendly or standoffish.

Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is expected and appreciated. Sometimes Mexicans may hold your gaze
for a prolonged period. This is normal and is not meant to imply any particular connotation other than
interest and sincerity.
Body Language: Mexicans tend to use many hand and arm gestures throughout conversation. People
belonging to indigenous groups tend to have a particularly reserved and shy demeanor around foreigners
or urban Mexicans.

Gestures: Mexicans communicate “yes” by holding their index finger up (as if to point) and then curling
it up and down repeatedly and quickly. People may indicate “no” by shaking the hand from side to side
with the index finger extended and palm facing outward. People may gesture to ask for you to share
something or give a piece (mochate) by making a chopping motion on their forearm.

Nodding: Be aware that some people may nod out of respect for what you are saying. It does not always
indicate agreement with one’s words.

 Egypt

Verbal

Communication Style: Egyptians are quite expressive and passionate when they converse. They have a
tendency to be evocative and verbose by telling stories and using wordplay and jokes. They are generally
open and emotive, displaying happiness and gratitude freely. Emotions relating to grief and sorrow are
also widely expressed, particularly in the case of death of a loved one. However, public displays of anger
are discouraged and may be interpreted as an insult.

Indirect Communication: Egyptians generally communicate in an indirect manner. They tend to avoid

replying with a direct ‘no’ and instead usually offer a lengthy reply that may not answer the question.
However, depending on the context of the conversation and who they are communicating with, they may
be direct in some instances. For example, someone of seniority by position or age may be
more direct when conversing with those below them. The use of direct communication in these occasional
instances is rarely intended to offend the conversation partner.

Humor: Egyptians often use humor in their conversations and find it encouraging when their jokes are
appreciated. When meeting an Egyptian for the first time, it is common for them to say a joke or two.

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: The appropriateness of touching during conversations depends on the relationship

between the people interacting. Close friends and family will frequently touch each other while
acquaintances will generally refrain from doing so. Norms and expectations of physical contact also often
depend on the gender of the people interacting. For example, good friends of the same gender may hold
hands or kiss when greeting in public. On the other hand, there is little to no public display of affection
between opposite genders during conversation or when in public places, with the exception of married
couples who may walk arm in arm.

Personal Space: The common physical distance maintained between people is usually an arm’s length.
The acceptable proximity may vary depending on the genders of the two people interacting with one
another. For example, women may stand closer to each other, whilst people generally prefer to keep a
bigger distance from those of the opposite gender.
Gestures: Touching all four fingers to the thumb with the palm facing inwards then shaking it up and
down is used to tell someone to ‘wait a moment’. To point, one usually uses their index finger.

Beckoning: To beckon someone, Egyptians tend to whistle, clap or say ‘psst’.

Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is acceptable in most cases and is valued as a sign of respect to the
speaker as well as a sign of honesty and sincerity. Sometimes, Egyptians will hold an intense stare,
meaning that their eye contact may be stronger than what is typical in Australia. However, in accordance
to Islamic principles, males and females may be expected to lower their gaze and avoid sustained eye
contact with each other. This is considered respectful and observant of the partition between genders.

 North Sudan

Verbal

Indirect Communication: People generally rely on indirect communication in Sudan. It is common for

Sudanese to understate their opinion in an effort to remain polite and harmonious. For example, people
often respond with “Inshallah” – Arabic for "If God wills it”. This phrase is a polite way of remaining
non-committal. For example, if you ask someone to do something and they respond with “Inshallah”, it
generally means they are unprepared to say ‘yes’ and are indirectly declining. Due to
their indirect communication style, it may not always be immediately evident when a Sudanese person
has been offended. Therefore, one often has to rely on reading non-verbal cues to draw further meaning. 

Hierarchy: The language people use to address one another varies depending on their age difference,
status and relationship. For example, men that are of the same age bracket generally refer to each other as
“brother” and act quite informally. Meanwhile, those who are clearly older than oneself are treated with
utmost respect.

Formality: It is important to use respectful and formal language whenever in public. If one is perceived
to be rude in their speech (i.e. using informal language, slang, or addressing them inappropriately), they
can be quickly looked down upon for not having ‘adab’ (manners and politeness). People speak more
casually when only surrounded by their family in the confines of their home, but a general standard of
respect is still expected.

Swearing: Swearing is uncommon and inappropriate in almost all situations. Such behavior is considered
to be uncivilized, and may affect a Sudanese person’s impression of your character. For example, if a taxi
driver heard his passengers swearing, he may mutter “O ask the forgiveness of god to force them to clean
up their act”. 

Blesses and Curses: Blesses and curses are said on a daily basis in Sudan. These are short Arabic
expressions that wish for God’s intervention depending on the situation (e.g. “May God give you health”
or “May God curse your soul”). Blessings are often said instead of a ‘Thank you’. 

Humor: Sudanese joke by making fun of situations. You can indulge in gentle humor to soften difficult
conversations. Sarcasm and wit are admired as an indication of intelligence. However, be aware that this
humor may not translate across cultures and languages. Avoid making jokes that have sexual or rude
undertones with anyone you do not have a very close relationship with.
Arabic: There are two varieties of Arabic spoken in Sudan. ‘Fus-ha’ is the formal form that is similar to
classical Arabic. This is only used in formal contexts, such as public speeches, emails, government
addresses, etc. In everyday communication, people speak ‘Ammiyya’, which is the colloquial form of
Arabic.

Honorifics: The Sudanese do not use as many honorifics as other Arabic-speaking countries. They may
address someone as ‘my dear’. However, people do not call each other ‘my love’ (habibi) as much as
Arabic speakers in surrounding countries.

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: People are usually comfortable hugging and touching friends of the same gender.
However, physical contact between two people of opposite genders is generally limited in Sudan. Some
may shake hands or tap the shoulder, but after that first point of contact, men and women keep their
distance from one another.

Personal Space: A Sudanese person’s standard of personal space may differ depending on their
relationship with the other person. If the person is a friend of the same gender, the distance is often
smaller than what an Australian is used to. For example, two friends may nestle together when sitting.
However, it may be bigger in instances when there is a difference of authority or when the other person is
from the opposite gender. It is best to keep at least one meter distance between you and a Sudanese
person to respect the modesty of the other person if you do not know them well.

Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is important, but it should not be prolonged. It is best to make short,
infrequent eye-to-eye contact and avoid steady gazes. Staring is considered an act of intimidation. It is
also a sign of respect to avert one’s gaze. Therefore, it is polite to look in the direction of someone of
status without directly meeting their eyes. 

Hands: There is a separation between the functions of the hands in Sudanese culture. This custom is tied
to Islamic principles that prescribe the left hand should be used for hygiene purposes. Therefore, it is
considered more unclean and should not be used for functions such as waving, eating or offering items.
Always use the right hand to gesture, touch people or offer items.

Pointing: Pointing at someone with a single index finger can come across as accusing or intimidating. It
is best to gesture at people with the whole hand. The Sudanese may also gesture with their head.

Facial Expressions: It is not always customary for people to smile when passing strangers in Sudan. This
may give people the wrong impression that the Sudanese are overly serious.

 South Sudan

Verbal

Formal Communication: The South Sudanese communication style is generally very formal. People
usually speak quite respectfully and seriously, and in return tend to take everything said quite literally.
However, even in the most formal interactions, communication is interlaced with affection and
familiarity. For example, people address one another as “Aunty”, “Uncle”, “Brother” or “Sister” to show
camaraderie and fondness. 

Indirect Communication: Communication varies between being direct and indirect depending on one’s

relationship with the person. When talking to strangers or acquaintances, South Sudanese people tend to
answer personal questions in an indirect way to protect their privacy. Closer friends tend to be more
straightforward about what they believe. However, overall, the South Sudanese tend not to be very open
about their emotions. For example, if you offend someone, you are unlikely to be made aware at the time.
Rather, they usually take a subtle approach to making their feelings known by slowly ignoring the
offending person and no longer visiting them.

Humor: South Sudanese humor usually involves joking about situational circumstances and storytelling.
It is often described as cheeky. However, it is generally understood that there is a time and place for it.
For example, it is considered inappropriate to introduce humor to lighten a serious situation. Furthermore,
it is not always polite to joke around elders. Men and women tend to joke more when surrounded by those
of the same gender. It is best to avoid being sarcastic as this can be misunderstood by South Sudanese and
taken literally.

Swearing: Swearing is very uncommon among South Sudanese communities. Youth are generally strictly
reprimanded if caught using obscene language. If someone swears, it is usually interpreted as the
beginning of a fight.

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: It is very rare to see open displays of affection between couples in public. 

Personal Space: It is important to keep a fair amount of distance from those of a higher status.

Eye Contact: It is a sign of respect to divert one’s gaze in South Sudan. Direct eye contact can be
interpreted as rude and as a sign of disrespect for another’s authority. Hence, some South Sudanese may
keep it to a minimum when talking to superiors and elders. It’s best to make short and infrequent eye-to-
eye contact and avoid steady gazes at those of the opposite gender.

Nodding: A single nod of the head downwards usually means “yes”, while a movement of the head
upwards means “no”.

Expression: It is not commonplace to smile at strangers in South Sudan. Therefore, some South
Sudanese may have quite a serious exterior upon first meeting people, reserving smiles for friends. Once
they are familiar with someone, they generally become very animated.

Pointing: It is rude to point at people with a single index finger. However, people may do it to indicate ill
feelings towards that person. They may also point with their tongue or with the back of their closed fist.

 Zimbabwe

Verbal
Indirect Communication: Zimbabweans are indirect communicators. They generally seek to avoid
friction in any conversation. Thus, to be blunt and frank is not advisable. In an effort to be respectful,
Zimbabweans come across as quite agreeable and accommodating. They rarely openly express criticism
and prefer to take an indirect approach to any corrective remarks. The level of directness in conversation
will vary depending on your relationship with a person. For example, if there is a large age difference, the
younger person will adopt a very deflective and respectful tone. Among two peers of the same age, a
Zimbabwean is likely to be more open about how they feel. Generally, if a Zimbabwean disagrees with
something or is discontent, they are more likely to show it nonverbally. For example, they may become
colder to you and choose not to follow your instructions. 

Humor: As Zimbabwean culture is quite formal, humor can be misplaced and seen as a lack of respect.
Be careful in how you introduce it, who is around to hear it, and avoid making fun of others. Around
family, those who are older or members of the opposite gender, jokes should not have any inappropriate
undertones. Their humor generally relies on telling anecdotes and stories. It’s best to avoid being sarcastic
as the Australian style of sarcasm can be misunderstood by Zimbabweans and taken at face value.

Non-Verbal

Personal Space: It’s common to keep an arm's length of personal space. However, Zimbabweans from
rural areas may sit and stand slightly closer together. Men and women usually keep their distance from
one another.

Physical Contact: Physical affection between men and women can embarrass Zimbabweans, especially
those from rural areas. Holding hands is acceptable. However, if you are a man, do not touch a married
Zimbabwean woman even in a friendly way. This is socially unacceptable in Zimbabwe.

Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is normal during conversation, especially in casual situations. However,
people divert their gaze from those who are older or of a higher status than them and women generally
lower their gaze from men. It is best to look away intermittently to avoid appearing disrespectful. To stare
directly at someone older than you is considered disrespectful.

Gestures: People salute a political party (Movement for Democratic Change) by raising a the hand with
fingers spread and palm forward. This can look similar to the ‘stop’ signal or waving, so be aware of this
when using these gestures.

Kneeling:  Zimbabweans commonly kneel down to show humility and respect when talking to people of
a higher authority or age. This involves keeping one’s head lower than the other person’s and
avoiding direct eye contact. The gesture usually continues until they leave the room. Women generally
kneel quite often in different settings. For example, Shona women may kneel when talking to their father
or husband and when serving a meal. However, some men may also kneel to their mother-in-laws,
brothers or older sisters.

Expressions: It is considered rude to frown, stick out one’s tongue or make a hissing sound with one’s
mouth. It’s very rude to lick one’s lips whilst looking at a person of the opposite gender.

Body Language: Slouching and having one’s hand in one’s pockets are considered bad manners.
 Japan

Verbal

Indirect Communication: Japanese people are generally indirect communicators. They may be

ambiguous when answering questions as a way to maintain harmony, prevent a loss of face, or out
of politeness. People are often attentive to non-verbal cues (such as body language, posture, expression
and tone of voice) as a way to draw meaning from a conversation. Disagreements that must be discussed
are usually done so in private and at a later time.

Refusals: As indirect communicators, Japanese people often avoid direct refusals or negative responses.

When refusing, they may show hesitation before replying with an ambiguous response. For example,
someone may respond to a request with “Kento-shimasu” meaning ‘I will consider it’, even if the speaker
does not intend to consider the proposal.

Silence: Interrupting someone who is talking is generally considered impolite. This means that many
Japanese tend to remain silent during a conversation, until there is an opening to speak. Sometimes,
silence is intentional to allow people time to think about the discussion. Silence is often understood as
reflecting politeness and respect.

Interjections: Interjections (aizuchi) are very common in Japanese communication. They are not
understood as an interruption, but rather indicate to the speaker that their counterpart is actively
listening. Aizuchi are particularly important in situations where people cannot see non-verbal cues, such
as speaking on the phone. There are different types of interjections depending on the context of the
conversation. One type of interjection indicates agreement, and includes the sounds ‘un’, ‘ne’ and ‘ee’,
and phrases such as “Hai”’ (‘yes’), “Sou desu ne” (‘So it is, isn’t it?’) and “Sugoi” (used in casual
contexts to mean ‘wow’ or ‘amazing’). Interjections of agreement are usually accompanied by a nod.
Another common type of interjection indicates surprise, and includes the sound “Eeee?’ and the phrase
“Honto desu ka?” (‘Really?’). The phrase “Māji ka?” (‘Seriously?’) is commonly used, but only in casual
contexts.

Compliments: Humbleness is a common value in Japanese culture. As a result, there is a general

tendency for people to politely deflect compliments. Excessive complimenting may cause embarrassment.

Respectful Speech (Keigo)

The Japanese language has a thorough grammatical system to express different levels of  politeness,
respect and formality. This is known as keigo (‘respectful speech’ or ‘honorific speech’). There are three
general categories of respectful speech, each used in different situations and employ different word
choices and ways of communicating.

Sonkeigo refers to ‘respectful language’ and it is used to demonstrate respect towards the other person.
This type of speech is often used when speaking to superiors (e.g. an employee speaking to their boss),
and tends to include a lot of drawn-out polite expressions.
Kensongo refers to ‘humble language’ used to depreciate oneself or other people in the same group (e.g.
business workers talking about their business to customers). In this kind of speech, people tend to drop
honorific titles to show humility.

Teineigo refers to ‘polite language’, which is more general and can be used to refer to other people or
oneself. This kind of language does not convey any particular kind of respect or humility to oneself or
others. Polite language is also often used among acquaintances.

Non-verbal

Physical Contact: Minimal physical contact is preferred. People tend to avoid touching others unless it is
unavoidable, like in a crowded public place. Close friends or people of the same gender may stand or sit
close to one another. Public displays of physical affection among opposite genders is uncommon.
However, affectionate and friendly contact such as hugging, hand holding or walking arm-in-arm is quite
common among friends of the same gender.

Personal Space: Attitudes towards space are often based on a distinction between public and private
spaces. For instance, bodies are pressed together without comment in crowded public spaces, such as a
busy mall or public transportation. Meanwhile, bodily contact is generally kept to a minimum in private
settings. Where possible, people will maintain distance from one another. When standing next to friends
or family, people will usually stand at arms’ length apart. This distance is further among acquaintances.

Eye Contact: Eye contact is an important aspect of non-verbal communication in Japan. Indirect eye

contact is the norm as direct eye contact may be interpreted as intimidating. Indirect eye contact is
particularly common when speaking to an elder or someone higher ranking to demonstrate respect.
Usually, people will look at another part of someone’s face, such as their chin.

Bowing: Bowing is common throughout Japan and is often used as a gesture to mark certain emotions,
such as showing gratitude, remorse or reverence. The etiquette of bowing contains many intricate rules
that depend on factors such as the context, social status and age of the person (see Bowing
(Ojigi) in Greetings).

Gesturing: There are a number of other common gestures that may be used while speaking. For instance,
a common gesture used when someone is embarrassed is to raise one hand and place it behind the back of
the head. This gesture is also sometimes used as a way to indirectly disagree or refuse something. Another
gesture used to indicate a lighthearted disagreement is to wave both hands in front of the body or face. 

Beckoning: In Japan, people usually beckon by facing the palm of the hand to the ground and waving
their fingers towards their body. However, it is improper to beckon someone socially superior in this
manner, such as one’s boss.

Pointing: Pointing with a finger is considered rude. Instead, people in Japan hold out their hand and
gently gesture towards the person, location or object.

Counting: When counting with their fingers, Japanese usually start with an open palm and close a finger
to symbolize a number. For example, the number one is represented when the thumb is closed and the
other fingers are open. Similarly, a closed fist represents the number five. However, the opposite style of
counting where the number of fingers held up reflects the number symbolized is becoming more
common.

Nodding: It is common for people to nod during conversation to indicate they are listening or as a sign of
acknowledgement. Nodding is a gesture of politeness, and does not necessarily imply agreement.

Expressing Emotions: Displaying intense emotion is usually avoided in Japanese communication. This

is especially the case in formal situations such as in the workplace or at school. People tend to avoid overt
and intense displays of anger to preserve face. Social status can play a role in how intensely emotions are
expressed. For example, it is more socially acceptable for those of higher social status to express anger.

Feet: It is considered rude for someone to display the soles of their feet, use their feet to move something,
point their feet towards someone or put their feet on furniture.

 Malaysia

Verbal

Indirect Communication: As an extension of the need to maintain harmonious relations, Malaysians

rely on indirect communication. Great consideration is made to ensure that what is said, how it is said and
how much is said does not offend the other person in the interaction. Words are chosen to be polite and
not assertive. Speech can be ambiguous as they often understate their point. For example, they may take a
while to talk about other things before arriving at the intended topic. More attention is paid to posture,
expression and tone of voice to communicate meaning. The purpose of this is to maintain politeness and
respect throughout the conversation, and also prevent a loss of face on either end of the exchange. The
best way to find the underlying meaning is to check for clarification several times by asking open-ended
questions.

Language Style: The Malay language uses many similes, idioms, proverbs (peribahasa), short evocative
verses (pantun) and poems (syair). Figurative language allows people to express their point indirectly.
For example, criticism may be presented in the example of a poem that reflects a similar scenario.

Refusals: A Malaysian person’s preoccupation with saving face and politeness means they will seldom

give a flat ‘no’ or negative response, even when they do not agree with you. Therefore, focus on hints of
hesitation, listening for what they say but also paying careful attention to what they may subtly allude to.

Soft Voices: Speaking loudly is generally interpreted negatively as ‘kasar’ (crass/coarse) in Malaysia.

Instead, it is expected that people speak gently and softly regardless of the nature of the conversation.
That being said, Malaysians are not so cautious about this that they never speak loudly. For example, they
will generally raise their voice when they get excited.

Laughter: Malaysians may laugh when they are embarrassed as a defense mechanism. The timing may
seem inappropriate or awkward in certain scenarios. Consider that it can indicate their unease.

Non-Verbal
Physical Contact: It is generally inappropriate to touch strangers in Malaysia. Avoid backslapping or
putting your arm around people's shoulders. Incidental touching (for example, in a crowd) is permitted.
However, generally people are not very accustomed to physical affection from anyone that isn’t a close
friend or family member. Furthermore, being a predominantly Muslim population, Malaysian society
generally respects a separation of the genders. Therefore, it is seen as especially awkward and
inappropriate to affectionately touch someone of the opposite gender in public.

Silence: Silence is an important and purposeful tool used in Asian communication. Pausing before giving
a response indicates that someone has applied appropriate thought and consideration to the question. This
signifies politeness and respect.

The Head: Malaysians consider the head to be the most sacred part of one’s body. Therefore, it is
considered very rude and inconsiderate to touch another person’s head.

Pointing: Avoid pointing with your index finger and use your open hand instead.

Beckoning: Beckoning is done by facing the palm of the hand to the ground and waving the fingers
towards oneself. Individual fingers should not be used in this gesture.

Feet: The feet are considered the lowliest and dirtiest parts of the body. Do not move objects with them
or display the soles of your feet to someone else.

Hands: There is a separation of function of the hands in Malaysia, influenced by Islamic culture. The left
hand is considered unclean and is used for the removal of dirt and for cleaning. It is not used for actions
such as waving, eating or offering items.

Eye Contact: Malaysians generally avoid holding direct eye contact with people of the opposite gender
out of modesty. They may also lower their gaze when talking to someone older than them.

Bow: People non-verbally say ‘excuse me’ when entering/leaving/passing people by bowing slightly.

Body Language: Placing one’s hands on their hips or in their pockets during conversation indicates
anger.

 Thailand

Verbal

Indirect Communication: As the concept of 'face' underpins interactions, Thai people tend to have
an indirect communication style and avoid giving flat-out refusals. In keeping interactions amenable, Thai
people will often smile or nod. This gives their acknowledgement but doesn’t necessarily indicate their
agreement. An unavoidable blunt or confrontational statement is generally prefaced with a phrase
equivalent to, ‘if you will allow me to be frank’. This partially excuses the occasional direct statement.
This being said, the style of communication will vary depending on the relationship. If the people are well
acquainted, bluntness is accepted. However, when communicating to those of higher social status or
unknown status, Thais are more cautious, and make an effort to be polite and indirect.

Honorifics: Thais typically address someone by stating the first name preceded by ‘Khun’ (e.g., Khun
Simon). However, if the people conversing are close friends or familiar with each other, they will omit
khun. Familial honorifics ‘phi’ (‘older sibling’) and ‘nong’ (‘younger sibling’) are generally appropriate
for people who are close to one another.

Humor: It is common for Thais to joke during conversation. Whilst humor is used in the typical way to
make conversations lighthearted, it is also used to cover emotions of sadness when discussing a tragic or
difficult situation.

Swearing: Swearing is generally not used in casual conversation and is considered to be crass.

Soft Voices: Thais are often soft-spoken. Raising one’s voice is generally frowned upon as it implies a
loss of control in a situation and can cause a person to lose face. However, people from Bangkok tend to
speak louder and faster.

Non-Verbal

Physical Contact: Physical contact in Thailand is acceptable amongst people of the same gender, but is
usually minimal. Public displays of affection between couples, such as holding hands or kissing, are
generally not shown. Buddhist monks are not supposed to make any physical contact with women.

Personal Space: The general distance between two people conversing is an arm’s length. When in
conversation with a friend or close acquaintance, this distance is shorter.

Gestures: Thai people generally do not use their hands to emphasize their point in conversation. Overly
dramatic gestures or frequent and rapid gestures may be misinterpreted as anger in Thailand. Pointing
with a single finger is considered to be rude and accusatory.

Eye Contact: Eye contact shows attentiveness to the person talking. However, direct eye contact should
be diverted every now and again to soften the interaction. Intense eye contact can be viewed as a
challenge to the other person. When being instructed or spoken to by a superior, it is respectful to lower
one’s eyes.

Height and Bowing: An important way Thais show respect is through lowering their head. Looming
above someone in Thailand can be considered an aggressive form of assertion. It is especially
disrespectful to position one’s head at a height higher than the Buddha. If someone needs to intersect
another’s gaze to reach a destination (for example, at a performance), they will typically walk with their
head bowed and their body below the eye line of the other.

Nodding: Thai people often nod to acknowledge what is said. However, this does not always mean they
agree or understand. It is primarily a gesture made out of politeness.
Beckoning: The common way to beckon someone is by gesturing with all fingers facing downwards and
towards oneself, the same gesture that would represent ‘shooing’ in Australia. Gesturing with fingers
facing upwards has offensive connotations in Thailand.

Smiling: Thais usually smile often in conversations. Whilst it can indicate happiness, smiling is
sometimes used in an attempt to cover awkwardness or sadness.

Head: Never touch someone on the top of their head. It is considered to be the most sacred part of the
body.

Feet: Feet are considered to be the dirtiest part of the body and should not be used to point at things or
move objects. The soles of one’s feet should not be pointed at others.

 Spain

Verbal

Direct Communication: Spaniards generally have a direct communication style. They tend to speak very
openly and are comfortable showing emotion. This can give some foreigners from more reserved cultures
the impression that Spaniards are very confident people, leading them to make decisions under this
assumption when this may not necessarily be the case. You can expect Spaniards to offer honest answers
to sincere questions. They speak clearly about their point and generally like to leave an interaction having
voiced all their opinions. In return, they expect similar honesty from their conversation partner and hence
may fail to read into understatements. It is important to avoid ambiguity and indirect speech.

Requests: The Spanish phrasing of requests is generally quite direct. For example, in Castilian (Spanish),
someone would commonly ask for a coffee by saying “Would you give me a coffee?” (Me pones un
café?) or “Give me a coffee, please” (Ponme un café, por favor). This differs from many places in the
English-speaking West where it is more common to use conditional expression and polite forms, e.g.
“Could I please have a coffee?” 

Common Courtesy: Consider that ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ are not said as habitually in Spain. This is
not intended to be rude. Rather, some Spanish may find it a bit excessive to express profuse gratitude
and politeness throughout everyday exchanges.

Silence: Consider that Spaniards can struggle to stay quiet for long durations of time. They are not
particularly comfortable with silence in social situations. If conversation does fall quiet, it may be
perceived to reflect badly on the relationship with the conversation partner.

Informality: There are different forms of expression in Spanish that communicate varying levels of
courtesy and formality. The polite form of speech involves addressing people in the formal form of ‘you'
(known as ‘usted’). This was once once used to mark social distance between superiors and inferiors,
even within the family. However, today it is not commonly used in day-to-day conversation. Most
Spaniards tend to use the informal pronoun ‘tú’ in most situations.

Inverted Question Marks: In the Spanish and Catalan languages, questions are written with an inverted
(or upside-down) question mark at the beginning of the sentence. For example: ¿Cuántos años
tienes? (How old are you?).
Interruption & Volume: It is common and acceptable for friends to interrupt and talk over one another
as people get excited about conversation. In some cases, people may shout to be heard. This is not
necessarily rude but indicates full engagement with the discussion. One often hears Spaniards call out and
even heckle during speaking engagements and performances. This is expected to be taken in jest.

Swearing: Swearing is common and generally acceptable among friends. 

Humor: Spaniards love to joke throughout conversation. People often have many funny stories that they
are prepared to tell to liven up a room. However, be aware that it is not common for people to ‘banter’ by
poking fun at each other in critical ways. It is best not to angle humor too personally at the expense of
those in the room. 

Non-Verbal

Personal Space: Spaniards generally keep about half a meter of personal space from one another. Men
are generally less protective of their personal space than those in the English-speaking West.
Nevertheless, women are generally more comfortable with closer proximities.

Physical Contact: The Spanish tend to be quite tactile and expressive with physical touch. Open displays
of affection between couples are common and acceptable. It is common to see people walking hand-in-
hand, or friends walking together with their arms interlocked. Among friends, people may nudge your
arm, elbow or leg to reinforce their points in conversations, put an arm around your shoulder in
camaraderie or hold both your shoulders to show deep appreciation. Some people may even casually
finger the lapel of another person’s clothing, or neaten their attire for them. All these moments of physical
interaction are meant to signify friendly affection and approachability. Spanish men tend to be less
guarded about physical contact with other men than those from English-speaking countries.

Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is expected during conversation in Spain.

Body Language: Spaniards may gesticulate more in general conversation. They tend to be quite
demonstrative with their expressions, using their hands to emphasize their points.

Beckoning: The most common way to beckon another person is to hold one’s hand up with the palms
facing upwards and waving one’s fingers towards one’s self. Avoid using a single index finger alone as
this can have suggestive tones.

Pointing: Avoid directly pointing at people with the index finger. This is considered rude.

Gestures: People may give one another a nonverbal cue to alert those around them if they see someone
that they suspect is a thief. This involves extending a hand out and lightly touching each finger to the
palm.