Cultural Body Language

Differences in Cultural Body Language

Communication styles among people from around the world differ as much as beliefs in faith and language. Everyone within a culture understands the meaning of certain gestures, personal space, eye contact and facial expressions. Individuals from outside the group may not understand and may misinterpret the style of communication. The following are ways that cultures differ through nonverbal expressions.

Eye Contact

In the United States, eye contact with the person you are talking to is respectful. It indicates that you are listening to what the person is saying. In turn, African American men, Chinese women and Native Americans feel that looking into someone’s eyes is disrespectful and aggressive.

If you are not sure of how someone feels about eye contact, notice how he or she speaks with you. Through observation, you can often determine why the person is looking away from you, whether from inattention or due to differences in body language.

Hand Gestures

Some individuals speak with their hands. They may raise them in excitement or just move their hands from side to side while speaking. In some areas of the world, speaking with your hands is considered distracting, odd and for some, offensive. For example, the hand gesture for OK in the United States means that something is good; this same gesture is an obscenity for the Greek. Another rude hand gesture in Greece is waving your hand while saying goodbye with your palm facing outward; in Greece they wave with their palms inward.

When pointing to something, many Americas use their index finger. This is offensive to people from the Middle East. The way Asians point to things is by using their palm or thumb and Latin Americans purse their lips with a head nod.

When meeting someone new from another country, it is best to keep hand gestures to a minimum. Placing your hands in your pockets or on a table in front of you are good ways to control your hands. Until your significant other understands what you mean by your hand gestures, you will want to make sure that you don't offend.

Personal Space

Personal space can vary not only in cultures but also within individuals. It is common for different groups to have certain space preferences when speaking. In America, a standard distance for space is one arms length. Northern Europeans usually speak with people who are about two feet away. People from the southern part of China and the Mediterranean will stand almost touching nose to nose while talking with someone.

To determine someone’s personal space, you can try to approach the person slowly and notice when he or she takes a step back. Many people subconsciously will back away from you if you get too close. Alternatively, if someone approaches you too close, the best way to let that person know your uncomfortable is by taking a couple steps back.

Facial Expressions

Facial expression can get many people in trouble. Some have a difficult time controlling facial responses when speaking or in response to someone else. Cultural miscommunication can occur when someone does not understand why the other person just made a face. Often incongruence in speech and facial response can become confusing and offensive.

People from Asia will laugh or smile when they are embarrassed. They exhibit a neutral expression when angry, which makes it difficult to know how they are feeling. In the Native American culture, this same neutral face instead indicates respect for the other person.

While dating, these differences can be frustrating. To comprehend the meaning of your partner's facial expression, simply ask him or her to express reactions verbally. Misunderstandings usually come from not communicating the misperceptions in conversations.

Conclusion

Communication in relationships is a constant struggle throughout the lifetime of your partnership. This is true whether you are in an intercultural relationship or not. Take the time to appreciate the differences in body language. This will lead to an understanding of cultural body language instead of holding on to the belief that your significant other is being inconsiderate.