Body Language And Gestures Across The World

Body Language And Gestures Across The World

Are you studying foreign languages? Do you work in an international context? Are you traveling in a foreign country?

Communication is a mix between verbal and nonverbal communication which occurs simultaneously. But, non-verbal communication is more impactful than verbal communication. It relates to everything that is not said. It includes among others facial expressions, gestures, posture, tone of the voice and also environmental factors.

All these gestures can be different and interpreted differently from one country to another. In order to avoid misunderstandings that can lead you to embarrassing situations, it is good to know what a specific sign means in another culture or at least to be aware that people can interpret it in a different way.

Visual Contact

In many countries as in the USA, Australia or UK and in Western Europe, looking someone in the eyes during a conversation for example shows your respect for the speaker. It reflects that the person is interested and engaged in what is said. But on the contrary, in other cultures in Asia, eye contact is considered as not polite and it can be disrespectful.

Handshakes

A handshake can be interpreted in many different ways. This gesture is often done to greet someone or have a deeper meaning in politics for example. Different methods of giving a handshake exist, it can be fast such as in France or much longer such as in China or in some Arabic countries. Another important aspect is the strength that is put into the gesture. A “firm handshake” corresponds to the typical handshake showing confidence, a “bone crusher” means that the person tries to crush the hand of the other person, a “finger handshake”: the person catches only the fingers of the other person’s hand and a “dead fish” corresponds to an indifferent and passive handshake.

All these ways to give a handshake can be interpreted differently according to the people and their cultures. For example, a “firm handshake” in the United States is considered as polite but the same handshake can be interpreted as a “bone crusher” in Japan.

In France, it is possible to give a quick and light handshake in every professional and private situation but if you know the person, people will generally give a kiss on both cheeks. While in the United States, handshakes are more reserved to professional situations, in personal situations, people will generally just orally greet the other person.

In most Asian countries, avoid looking at people in the eyes while you give a handshake, as it is considered impolite.

Personal Space

Everyone has a physical space, it corresponds to a space that we need around us to feel safe and where any threat to our “personal bubble” would make us uncomfortable. In the USA, it is more important for people to preserve their “vital space” and to have a certain distance between each other during a conversation. On the contrary, in Brazil and in Southern Europe for example, talking close and touching each other while they are talking is considered as normal. What can be a violation of the personal space in one country can simply be a sign of friendliness in another culture.

Some hand and finger signals can also have a different meaning according from where you come from. Here are some interpreting differences of signs from one culture to another.

American Sign For “OK”

The gesture with the thumb and index finger forming a circle with the hand raised can be considered as vulgar in many South American countries and especially in Brazil. As a side note, while Richard Nixon was visiting Rio de Janeiro, he did the “OK” sign in front of a crowd, who responded to him with boos!

Horn Fingers

During rock festivals or concerts, this sign is frequently used and specially in the USA. But, in many Mediterranean and Latin countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Italy and Portugal, making this sign at someone is a way to tell them that their spouse is cheating on him/her.

The “V” Sign

In the United States, this gesture means “victory” and “peace”. It was developed against the Vietnam War by activists in favour for peace. But, in other places, such as in the UK, Australia and South Africa, the same gesture with the back of the hand facing the other person is considered to be an extremely insulting.

The American “Goodbye”

This sign with a flat hand waving can be considered as a “No” in many parts of Europe and Latin America.

The Crossed Fingers

In Australia, UK, USA or Canada and in some Europeans countries, it means that you wish good luck to someone else. On the contrary, in Vietnam, they consider that it resembles to female genitals, considered as obscene.

The Point

In a lot of European countries as Belgium, Germany, France, Austria or Netherlands, it means the number “2”. But in China, it means the number “8” and in Italy it means that something is not good.

The Thumb In A Fist

In Australia, UK or Canada, it is a common playful gesture by adults towards children pretending to have stolen their noises. But in Turkey, it is interpreted as a rude and aggressive gesture.

Nodding Head

In many countries, nodding your head means generally that you approve something as a “Yes”. But for Bulgarians and Greeks for example it means exactly the contrary, it has a negative signification.

To conclude, these examples show cultural differences in terms of the interpretation of nonverbal communication. The difficulty with this exercise is that is not a mathematical truth, it works on a case by case basis. Each person is different and interprets signs and gestures according to his/her culture but also according his/her personal experience. So, the best thing to do is to stay open-minded and curious about other cultures keeping in mind that your actions can be interpreted differently by the others even if it seems “normal” to you.

Source: https://translit.ie/blog/body-language-gestures-across-world/