Paralanguage refers to communication that is vocalized but not words. Stay mindful of where you sit in meetings – in some cultures, there’s a strict hierarchy for who gets to sit where. Face people as they speak to you and nod enough to show you are paying attention to what they say. Don’t slouch when sitting or sit with legs crossed. PostureĪgain, the traditional route is the best route. You can also loosen up your wardrobe if it becomes apparent that is acceptable. The best choice is to simply dress conservatively. Some places in the United States are fine with very relaxed appearances, while others see even an exposed shoulder or leg as cause for offense. AppearanceĬonservative attire is the safest bet. The Japanese, for example, try to remain a neutral facial expression, believing that showing your emotions burdens the other person. The bad news is that not every culture is OK with using them in a business setting. The good news is that facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are universal. If it’s not personal intimacy, many people find such proximity uncomfortable. However, it’s best to never enter anyone’s personal space, about 2 feet. People in different cultures view physical distance differently. The rule of thumb here, no matter where you are in the world, is to give people more space than you think they might need. The most common gesture in the world is a nod, but even that can mean different things in different cultures. Polynesians stick out their tongue to greet people, but that doesn’t fly in other parts of the world. For example, pointing at someone else is an insult in most parts of the world, but in some places, it is often used simply as a reference. Many businesspeople who work internationally discipline themselves to keep hand gestures to a minimum, as they are a bit of a minefield. is more conservative in other areas, such as not kissing on the cheek as they do in many parts of Europe. But in some Asian cultures touching children or adults on the head is disrespectful. The U.S., it’s seen as endearing and shows affection with children. Another example of the differences with touching is patting someone on the head. Those who live in Asia tend to take a more conservative approach when it comes to touching, with a bow typically replacing a handshake. But other cultures consider touching other people inappropriate. Touch often is used frequently in communication, even in a business setting, with customs such as the handshake. Also, there are gender rules around eye contact, with many Eastern cultures discouraging women from making eye contact with men as it conveys authority or sexual interest. Eye ContactĮye contact signals confidence in the West, but can be seen as rude or challenging in parts of Asia and the Middle East. Each provides an area where people doing business in other parts of the world should understand the nonverbal communication differences between cultures and how to prepare for them. But the areas of differences tend to fall within the following eight areas. Types of nonverbal communication vary based on culture and country. How Is Nonverbal Communication Affected By Culture? Understanding the cultural differences in nonverbal communication is important for those with a goal to work in international business. Nonverbal communication differences between cultures occur because of how different people around the world interpret actions in social interaction.
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