Discuss cultural differences in body language of people in the US, Japan, China, Italy, Greece and Latin America.

It’s impossible to know all of the different cultural differences in body language that you can run into. For example, in parts of Northern Europe a quick firm “one-pump” handshake is the norm. In parts of Southern Europe, Central and South America, a handshake is longer and warmer. In China, if someone is doing business, it is widely accepted to have NO personal space at all. Strangers regularly touch when standing near each other. On the other hand, some cultures require much more space than in America. In Japan, Scandinavia, and England, touching is less frequent. In Latino cultures, touching is encouraged. This may not have a place in this article, but still interesting: NEVER touch a person’s head. You may see two men walk hand in hand or with an arm around another's shoulder. It is a sign of friendship in China. However, Americans strongly disapprove it. The situation is regarded as homosexual in American culture. American usually use two hands to push against the crowd. In China, people, however, are accustomed to get through the crowed by their bodies with the arms keeping close to two sides.

Explain how use of color communicates nonverbal messages.

Chromatics: communication of messages through colors. Colors mean one thing in the US, but something different in Asia or Africa. E.g., in US you wear black when mourning, in India white. In Hong Kong traditional bridal dresses are red, in Poland white. In Chile a yellow roses means “I do not like you”, in US the opposite. A single color can have many different meanings in different cultures. In Asia orange is a positive, spiritually enlightened, and life-affirming color, while in the US it is a color of road hazards, traffic delays, and fast-food restaurants.

Identify cultures that are comfortable with silence and those that are not. Discuss possible meanings of silence in various situations.

Is silence just the absence of noise, or is there something deeper that defines silence – something we’d do well to understand, contemplate, or invite into our lives? Silence has communicative values. It is common in the East

Silence interpreted as leaving an option to the interlocutor, a designated moment to understand what has been communicated, a moment to think and an opportunity to respond in a well thought out manner. (e.g. in Japan).

But it has also negative values: often Western bias in favor or speech rather than silence: short pauses, short speaking turns; but notice saying “Silence is golden”. Silence can be Interpreted as a sign of impoliteness, hostility, dumbness (in failure to provide an expected response). And can be regarded means of concealing the truth. However, expressionless silence can still be considered a paramount factor in many communicative situations. Silence in Asia has commonly been entirely acceptable, whereas in the West silence has generally been considered socially disagreeable. Generally, it seems that the Japanese not only use silence as a tool to communicate, but also consider silence more persuasive and convincing than words.

Case 1

Case 2

Case 3 - US is monochronic time culture and they value time very much, that is why Harry had arrived at exact time, he should beforehand study the time pattern in Mexico not to make that mistake, Mexicans don’t value time as much as US people, It was normal for his host when guests arrived at 8 instead of 7.

Case 4 - For Chinese culture direct eye contact is unacceptable, that is why Ching Wu looked down at the floor, besides in China it shows respect not the lack of it as thought Fred. Before hiring Chinese employee he should have be aware of cultural differences that they both have not to make miscommunication.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1123