Bodylanguage and culture

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Bodylanguage & Culture

What are people “saying”?

What are people “saying”?

What are people “saying”?

What are people “saying”?

What are people “saying”?

How Does Body Speak?

- Like any spoken language, body language has words, sentences and punctuation.

- Each gesture is like a single word and one word may have several different meanings.

How Does Body Speak?

According to the social anthropologist, Edward T. Hall, in a normal conversation between two persons, less than 15% of the social meanings is actually transmitted by words.

So, at least 85% of it is conveyed through the body (non-verbal channel).

Head

- Nodding the head- “Yes” in most societies- “No” in some parts of Greece, Yugoslavia,

Bulgaria, and Turkey- Tossing the head backward

- “yes” in Thailand, the Philippines, India, Laos

- Rocking head slowly, back and forth- “yes, I’m listening” in most

Asian cultures

Face

* Facial expressions reflect emotion, feelings and attitudes, but…..

* The Asians are sometimes known as - emotionless- mixed-up

emotion

Eyes

* Eye contacts- Encouraged in America, Canada, Europe- Rude in most Asian countries and in Africa

* Raising eyebrows- “Yes” in Thailand and some Asian countries- “Hello” in the Philippines

* Winking eye- Sharing secret in America and Europe- flirtatious gesture in other countries* Closed eyes

- bored or sleepy in America- “I’m listening and concentrating.” in Japan, Thailand, China

Ears

* Ear grasp- “I’m sorry.” in parts of India

* Cupping the ear- “I can’t hear you.” in all societies

* Pulling ear- “You are in my heart” for

Navajo Indians

Nose

* Pointing to nose- “It’s me.” Japan

* Blowing nose- In most Asian countries, blowing the nose at social

gathering is ‘disgusting.’

* Holding the nose- “Something smells bad.” universal

* Nose tap- “It’s confidential.” England- “Watch out!” or "Be careful.” Italy

Cheeks

* Cheek screw- gesture of praise - Italy- “That’s crazy.” Germany

* Cheek stroke- “pretty, attractive, success”

most Europe

LIPS AND MOUTH

* Whistle, yawn, smile, bite, point, sneeze, spit, kiss..* Kiss. In parts of Asia, kissing is considered an intimate sexual

act and not permissible in public, even as a social greeting.* Kissing sound. To attract attention in the Philippines, to

beckon a waiter in Mexico.* Finger tip kiss. In France, it conveys

several messages, “That’s good!” “That’s great!” “That’s beautiful!.”

LIPS AND MOUTH (Cont’d)

* Spitting. * Spitting in public is considered rude and crude in most

Western cultures. * In many other Asian countries, spitting in public is to rid a

person’s waste and, therefore, is healthy.

The lip pointing

* Lip pointing (a substitute for pointing with the hand or finger) is common among Filipinos, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, and many Latin Americans.

* Open mouth. Any display of the open mouth is considered very rude in most countries.

ARMS

* Some cultures, like the Italians, use the arms freely. Others, like the Japanese, are more reserved; it is considered impolite to gesticulate with broad movements of the arms.

* Folding arms are interpreted by some social observers as a form of excluding self, “I am taking a defensive posture,” or “I disagree with what I am hearing.”

ARMS (Cont’d)

* Arms akimbo. In many cultures, this stance signals aggression, resistance, impatience, or even anger.

* Arms behind back, hands grasped is a sign of ease and control.

* Arms in front, hands grasped, common practice in most Asian countries, is a sign of mutual respect for others.

HANDS

* Of all the body parts, the hands are probably used most for communicating non-verbally.

* Hand waves are used for greetings, beckoning, or farewells.

* The Italian “good-bye” wave can be interpreted by Americans as the gesture of “come here.”

* The American “good-bye” wave can be interpreted in many parts of Europe and Latin America as the signal for “no.”

HANDS (Cont’d)

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Beckoning. * The American way of getting attention (raising a hand with

the index finger raised above head) could be considered rude in Japan, and also means “two” in Germany.

* The American “come here” gesture could be seen as an insult in most Asian countries.

* In China, to beckon a waiter to refill your tea, simply turn your empty cup upside down.

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Handshaking is a form of greeting in most Western cultures. * In the Middle East, a gentle

grip is appropriate.* In most Asian cultures, a

gentle grip and an avoidance of direct eye contact is appropriate.

* Hand-holding among the same sex is a custom of special friendship and respect in several Middle Eastern and Asian countries.

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Right hand. The right hand has special significance in many societies. In certain countries in the Middle East and in Asia, it is best to present business cards or gifts, or to pass dishes of food, to get an attention, using only the right hand or both.

* Left hand is considered unclean in much of the Middle East and in parts of Indonesia.

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Hang loose. (thumb and little finger extended)

* could convey different meanings:* in Hawaii, it’s a way of saying,

“Stay cool,” or “Relax.”* in Japan, it means six.* In Mexico (do vertically), it means,

“Would you like a drink?”* Clapping hands.

* Russians and Chinese may use applause to greet someone.* In many central and eastern Europe, audience frequently clap in

rhythm.

FINGERS

* The “O.K.” signal. (the thumb and forefinger form a circle) means* “fine,” or “O.K.” in most cultures,* “zero” or “worthless” in some parts of Europe* “money” in Japan* an insult in Greece, Brazil, Italy,

Turkey, Russia and some other countries

FINGERS (Cont’d)

* “Thumb-up” means:* “O.K.” “good job” or “fine” in most cultures,* “Up yours!” in Australia* “Five” in Japan; “One” in Germany

* Avoid a thumb-up in these countries: Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Russia, and most African countries.

FINGERS (Cont’d)

* Pointing.* Pointing with the index finger is common in North

America and Europe.* But it is considered impolite in Japan and China where

they favor using the whole open hand.* Malaysians prefer pointing with the thumb.

LEGS AND FEET

* In Asia, do not point with your toes.* In Asia and some European countries, putting feet up on a

desk or any other piece of furniture is very disrespectful.* Sitting cross-legged, while common in North America and

some European countries, is very impolite in other parts of the world.

LEGS AND FEET (Cont’d)

* In most Asian countries, a solid and balanced sitting posture is the prevailing custom. Sitting cross-legged shows the sign of disrespect.

* In the Middle East and most parts of Asia, resting the ankle over the other knee risks pointing the sole of your shoe at another person, which is considered a rude gesture.

WALKING

* Walking can reflect many characteristics of a culture. For example,* In parts of Asia and some of the Middle Eastern countries,

men who are friends may walk holding each other’s hand.* In Japan and Korea, older women commonly walk a pace

or two behind male companion.* Asians often regard Western women

as bold and aggressive, for they walk with a longer gait and a more upright posture.

What are people “saying”?