Cultural Differences in Body Language Essay

Do you know what I am doing? (thumbs up to the face Hitch hiking). When I do this, most of you would cerebrate it means good job. But in the middle east, for typesetters case in Iran, its an insult similar to the middle finger. well evening Madam Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests, tonight lets pure tone at body language in varied cultures. Do you cope with that apparent motions back tooth communicate as effectively as words? I agree. Some ability argue, it maybe even more than words. However we must be assured different culture has different body language.Therefore, in our personal and business lives, studious consideration must be habituated to whom we are with and where they are from. A question that we might ask is do we expect other cultures to adapt to our customs and protocol, or are we instinctive to make an extra effort to learn more about how they like to communicate? It wouldnt be the initiative clip that someone who wasnt familiar with the commun ication customs of another country, found themselves in a rather embarrassing situation.Many years ago, President Richard Nixon arrived in a foreign country. Upon his arrival, he stood at the top of the stairs leading from his aircraft door, and overlook the welcoming crowd gathered below him. He smiled and proudly increase both hands high in the air, palms facing outward and gave a move of his trademark famous intermission preindication (as he had do many times before while travelling abroad). However the tiptop immediately began to jeer and hiss at the President, and he found himself on the receiving end of a hostile and rude welcome.Could you imagine how he felt? The reason was because in the country he was visiting, the two fingered, palms outward Peace sign, which was acceptable in North America, was an absolutely offensive motility to the topical anesthetic people in that African country. This would have been the equivalent of a death chair from another country visi ting New Zealand, and with a smile, flipped the bird which in their country might have meant greetings. As a member of the audience, how might you react?In North America, a simple thumbs up apparent movement can mean that things are great or a hitchhiking sign which indicates I need a ride. However, in Greece, this gesture signifies up yours when accompanied with a rapid upward and slower downward motion. The gesture for YES is often thought to be universal, however in India they wobble their heads from side to side to say yes. Correct me if Im wrong my Indian friends. There are also variations in saying no. In Greece they toss their head up.In Japan, they wave their hands in bearing of their nose like ur gesture for stinky. Or, how about the OK sign where the mogul finger and the thumb connect to make an O shape and the deuce-ace remaining fingers point up and slightly flare out. Although acceptable in Western culture to signal that things are A-OK, in Russia or Turkey, this ge sture can represent a sexual insult. specifically an orifice (thats as far as Ill go with that). In mainland China you may see two men walk hand in hand or with an arm around anothers shoulder. This is a sign of friendship. However, the situation is regarded as homosexual in American culture.In some countries such as France or Italy, it is acceptable to exchange a kiss on one or both cheeks while quivering hands when greeting one another. In other countries such as Japan, this type of behavior is considered impolite as the Japanese are considered to be a non-touch society relative to other cultures. The Japanese have a venerating custom to bow to each other. The most senior post person bows the least and the least status person having to bow first and display the deepest bend from the waist. Business cards are exchanged and point first in a complex formality.This ritual is to determine the seniority, invest or rank of everyone in the room first. Then the bowing gesture commences based on the information read. For example, lets say Tony make is the CEO of Mitsubishi Motors in Japan. I am a small subdivision manager from Fonterathe process is So as you can see, it is really eventful to know your audience. If you are traveling to other countries, you need to be aware that some of the most commonly acceptable gestures at home can have a completely different meaning to someone from abroad.Demonstrating a sound knowledge of the cultural differences in nonverbal communication forget get you noticed and others will appreciate that you are both respectful and prepared. Tonight youve learnt as least one thing be elaborated if you thumb a ride in Greece O Take the time and invest in a little research to become culturally educated. By doing this you will be able to Save the embarrassment. (i. e. Be careful if you thumb a ride in Greece O) Gain the competitive edge.A little research can go a long modal value prior to traveling abroad on business. Surely it helps i f you are automatic to make an extra effort to learn more about how they pick out to communicate. As the saying goes, In Rome, do like the Romans do. hold fast to know your audience and their customs. Remember in business, its about cosmos prepared and establishing rapport quickly. Understanding body language in different culture might be the very thing that tips the scales in your esteem and will give you the competitive edge youre looking for.