CULTURAL DIFFERENCE IN NONVERBAL

COMMUNICATION

Communication is far more than an exchange of words. Facial expressions, hand

gestures, posture, eye contact, even silence all these are constantly sending messages about
human’s attitudes, emotions, status, and human’s relationships. When a person meets other
people who speak only Swahili, it is known that person need an interpreter to translate our words
in order to communicate. But what happens when a person meet, say, a German woman who
happens to speak very good English? No problem, right? But her words only tell half the story.
Body language and other nonverbal cues vary as widely as spoken language among different
cultures. If a person smile to a German woman, and a German woman does not smile back, what
does that mean? Is the woman angry? Bored? Lost in thought? To really understand what the
German woman is saying, it is need to understand German body language. Nonverbal cues are
critical in the workplace. These cues can tell whether the staff understands to the instructions,
whether the customer is interested in buying, and much more. The nonverbal language people
learned while growing up seems natural. Normal and while some facial expressions, such as fear
or disgust, are universal biological reaction, most other nonverbal cues are learned behavior with
no universal interpretation. This tip sheet will give the reader a brief overview of a few
nonverbal signals and their cultural significance. Many people never learn the meaning of every
sign in every culture. Even in the own country, typical nonverbal “language” can vary by Cross
Cultural Understanding.

DEFINITION

Nonverbal communication is communication without the use of words. Important as both

written and spoken words are to the process of communication, they certainly don’t represent all
aspects of communication. As Galloway has indicated, nonverbal communication is used
extensively whenever human beings communicate. Nonverbal communication consists not only
of facial expressions and body gestures but also of the way a person uses space and time.
Nonverbal behaviors are the primary vehicles for expressing emotion. Behaviors, better than
words, convey hate, fear, anger, and anxiety. What is difficult to put into words often finds its
way through facial expression, gesture, and movement. When people communicate nonverbally,
signals are used and cues that do not have precise definitions. With nonverbal communication, a
greater tendency exists to be less conscious of our communication. Because people are less
conscious of our nonverbal communication, it is tend to be more honest while using it.
Nonverbal actions have always been important. When the Greek philosopher Demosthenes was
asked what mattered in speech, he answered, "Action." This answer is also relevant today.
People tend to believe actions even more than words. And they believe words even more when
nonverbal actions closely match them. Support group leaders and peer visitors can use nonverbal
actions in their work with people who have amputations. Doing so improves communication and
understanding. Nonverbal communication expresses meaning or feeling without words.
Universal emotions, such as happiness, fear, sadness, are expressed in a similar nonverbal way
throughout the world. There are, however, nonverbal differences across cultures that may be a
source of confusion for foreigners. Let's look at the way people express sadness. In many
cultures, such as the Arab and Iranian cultures, people express grief openly. They mourn out
loud, while people from other cultures (e.g., China and Japan) are more subdued. In Asian
cultures, the general belief is that it is unacceptable to show emotion openly (whether sadness,
happiness, or pain). Let's take another example of how cultures differ in their nonverbal
expression of emotion. Feelings of friendship exist everywhere in the world, but their expression
varies. It is acceptable in some countries for men to embrace and for women to hold hands; in
other countries, these displays of affection are discouraged or prohibited. As with nonverbal
communication, what is considered usual or polite behavior in one culture may be seen as
unusual or impolite in another. One culture may determine that snapping fingers to call a waiter
is appropriate, whereas another may consider this gesture rude. Some people are often not aware
of how gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and the use of conversational distance affect
communication. To interpret another culture's style of communication, it is necessary to study
the "silent language" of that culture.

TYPES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

1. Gestures and Body Positioning Some gestures, like making fists or pointing fingers, are
seen as forceful and negative. But a lack of gestures can seem dull and boring. Active and
 dynamic speakers or leaders should use natural gestures, but make them bigger. Take a
look at the gesture by asking someone to videotape that has to be practicing in front of a
mirror. Gestures are possible for everyone even those with arm and hand amputations or
an absence of upper limbs. People with upper extremity amputations can gesture with
their prostheses or residual limbs. And people without arms can gesture with their
shoulders or feet. Just as with hand movements, gestures like these help others
understand what it is said. Even a gesture as simple as pointing can lead to cross-cultural
miscommunication. Pointing with one figure is considered rude in some Asian countries,
as is the common American "come here" gesture. Germans point with their little finger,
whereas Japanese residents point with their whole hand. This is ring gesture. (The tip of
the thumb and the tip of a finger meeting to create a ring.) -- In America - "OK" -- In
Japan -"money" -- In France -"zero or worthless"
2. Facial Expressiveness From childhood on, people know how to “read" facial
expressions. These include smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows, yawns, and sneers. Studies
show that facial expressions convey more meaning than either words or tone of voice.
For instance, people can show happiness when they smile or anger when they clench their
jaws. As a support group leader or public speaker, pay attention not just to your own
facial expressions but also that of the audience. But do not assume that always be known
what facial expressions mean. Instead, ask people if it is corrected “reading” their facial
expressions. All cultures seem to express with the same basic facial expressions the basic
emotions of anger, grief, happiness and Fear. But the acceptability of such expression
varies from culture to culture. Many Asian cultures do not easily express anger or grief
on their faces, while Mediterranean Latin and Arabic cultures permit open expressions of
grief. While some say that facial expressions are identical, meaning attached to them
differs. Majority opinion is that these do have similar meanings world-wide with respect
to smiling, crying, or showing anger, sorrow, or disgust. However, the intensity varies
from culture to culture. Note the following: Many Asian cultures suppress facial
expression as much as possible. Many Mediterranean (Latino / Arabic) cultures
exaggerate grief or sadness while most American men hide grief or sorrow. Some see
“animated” expressions as a sign of a lack of control. Too much smiling is viewed in as a
sign of shallowness. Women smile more than men.
 3. Eye Contact The important rules concerning eye contact focus on when to look and how
long to look at another person, in addition to who is and who is not to look at the other
person. The appropriate rules vary from one culture to another. Usually, when sitting
opposite a stranger there are two responses that can occur, depending on the person's
culture and the situation. Either there is no eye contact made, or behaving in a friendly
manner by naturally glancing at the other person and remaining silent, or even
exchanging small talk. When speaking in public, frequently looking at the audience is the
normal practice. Communicating with one another requires proper eye contact, though it
doesn't have to be constant. Not looking at the other person could imply fear, contempt,
uneasiness, guilt or indifference.
 In USA, eye contact indicates: degree of attention or interest, influences attitude
change or persuasion, regulates interaction, communicates emotion, defines
power and status, and has a central role in managing impressions of others.
 Western cultures see direct eye to eye contact as positive (advise children to look
a person in the eyes). But within USA, African-Americans use more eye contact
when talking and less when listening with reverse true for Anglo Americans. This
is a possible cause for some sense of unease between races in US. A prolonged
gaze is often seen as a sign of sexual interest.
 Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact. Believe it shows interest and helps
them understand truthfulness of the other person. (A person who does not
reciprocate is seen as untrustworthy) Japan, Africa, Latin American, Caribbean
avoid eye contact to show respect.

MAKING GENERAL & SPECIFIC SUGGESTION OR INVITATION

As it was seen in the previous section, yes usually means “yes” and no means “No”, in
the United States. However, sometimes yes doesn’t really mean “yes”, sometimes it means
maybe or” I’d like to but I can’t “. In these cases, people say yes because they want to be friendly
and polite. One point here is very important, though. People use yes when they do not mean yes
only in an answer to a general suggestion or invitation. When the suggestion and invitation is
specific the person needs to be more direct and more honest. If people say they will call soon,
sometimes soon, sometimes next week, in a couple of weeks, or at another general future time. It
is not certain that they will actually call at that time or perhaps at all. However, if they say they
will call this evening, tomorrow, on Tuesday, next Saturday, or at another specific time, they
truly plan to call, and people can expect them to do so.

CONCLUSION

Nonverbal communication does not only play an important role in daily conversation but
also in interpreting process. Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures
displayed through body language and the physical distance between communicators. Those
nonverbal signals can give clues and additional information. When communicate with nonverbal
cues can be as important or in some cases even more important that what a person says or words.
Nonverbal communication has a great impact for the listener and the outcome of the
communication. In the end of the day nonverbal communication helps people to improve
interaction with others and knowledge of those signs can be used to encourage people to talk
about their concerns and can lead to a greater sharer understanding the purpose of
communication. Nonverbal communication or some actions are important to apply in daily
communication in order to others or the partner can believe with the statements, can understand
what the meaning of the speaker and also others can feel enjoy in conversation or communicate
with the main speaker. Nonverbal communication consists of a complete package of expressions,
hand and eye movements, and gestures which should be interpreted along with speech (verbal
communication). So, by using nonverbal communication people can convey information about
their emotional state, reinforce the relationship between people, provide feedback to the other
person and regulate the flow of communication.