NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

( CROSS CULTURAL )
Spoken language is only 7% to 35% of communication. The majority of our feelings and
intentions are sent through nonverbal communication. Moreover we tend to search for signals
when verbal messages are unclear or ambiguous.

Wordless messages or kinesics are the way we communicate by sending and receiving signals
using
body language, gestures, postures, proximity, haptics, and facial expressions.

Some signals are consistent across cultures. To a certain degree this is good news; if you do not
speak the foreign language, you can still communicate with people of another country by using
body language and facial expressions.

However, even if you do speak the local language and are able to communicate with the local
people you might still be puzzled by the use of body language and facial expressions at your
destination country.

Why?

Because nonverbal communication has also cultural meanings and is being interpreted
according to the cultural context it occurs.

Cultural norms regarding kinesics vary considerably between countries; if you are not familiar
with the local body language you might be misunderstood, and sometimes misinterpret the
local nonverbal signals.

This can certainly lead to embarrassing and uncomfortable situations

So, before relocating overseas it is recommended to obtain as much information as you can
about the nonverbal communication codes that are customary at your destination country.

Understanding body language of the destination country and interpreting body language
correctly will not only assist you to avoid unpleasant situation but will
grant you respect from the locals.

“The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said.”
~ Peter F. Drucker

We collected examples of kinesics codes that are being used around the world, and we will be
adding to this list regularly.

If you know any body language and facial expressions used around the world, or have an
intresting story to share, we would love to hear from you. Just take a moment and fill out the
form at the end of the page.
Nonverbal Communication Around the World

Argentina Cambodia China France India

Japan Mexico Nigeria Russia Thailand
Turkey UAE Britain U.S.A Kazakhstan
Bosnia

Nonverbal Communication in Argentina

A handshake and nod show respect when greeting someone.

An embrace and one kiss on the cheek are common between

friends and acquaintances.

Argentines stand close to each other when speaking. Do not

back away.

The “O.K.” and “thumbs up” gestures are considered vulgar.

Hitting the palm of the left hand with the right fist means “I
don’t believe what you are saying” or “That’s stupid.”

Don’t use toothpicks, blow your nose or clear your throat at the
dining table

To summon a waiter, raise your hand with your index finger extended.

For social events, arrive thirty to sixty minutes late. Arriving at a party on time is impolite.
Telephone your hosts the following day to thank them.

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Nonverbal Communication in Cambodia

The head is believed to contain the person soul

therefore it is a taboo to touch or point at the
head.

Cambodians greet each other by placing their

hands, palms together, near their faces and
bow slightly. This is called
Som Pas.

Cambodian sits with their legs straight down

and not crossed. Crossing your legs shows that
you are an impolite person.
Feet are considered the lowest in value of body parts and thus it is insulting to point them at
someone.

It is not polite to have eye contact with someone who is older or someone who is considered a
superior.

Cambodians tend to smile or laugh in both positive and negative situations. Therefore caution
should be taken in interpreting a smile or laugh in order to avoid misunderstanding.

When accepting a gift from an older person, it is polite to use both hands.

Before entering a house, it is important to remove your shoes and cap. This simple act is
indicative of the esteem your hold for your host.

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Nonverbal Communication in China

The Chinese don't like being touched by strangers. Therefore

don’t make any body contact.

Never use your index finger to beckon anyone. If you need to

call a Chinese person, face the palm of your hand downward
and move your fingers in a scratching motion.

Chinese don’t point with the index finger but with an open
hand.

Using both hands when offering something to a visitor or

another person is considered being respectful.

Touching or pointing to tip of one's own nose with raised

forefinger means it's me.

When walking in public places, direct eye contact and staring is uncommon.

During conversations, be especially careful about interrupting - Listening is a sign of politeness

and of contemplation.

Many Chinese consider winking to be rude.

Chinese of the same sex have close physical contact with their friends.

Chinese tend to smile easily when they feel difficulty or embarrassment. Smile because of
embarrassment by a Chinese might be interpreted as being friendly by a westerner, but really
they are embarrassed.

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Nonverbal Communication in France

Greeting friends with an exchange of kisses is
very common. However the number of kisses and
the side that the kisses start on vary by region.

The French shake hands upon meeting someone

for the first time, particularly in the business
world.

When using the fingers to count the thumb is the

first counter, the index finger is two, the middle
finger is three, etc. If you hold up two fingers
(index + middle fingers), you'll get three of
whatever you're ordering, not two. Because the
French count the thumb even if you don't hold it
up.

Holding your hands out, palms down, and smacking one hand down onto the other means lets
get out of here.

Making a fist, holding it up in front of the nose, and twisting your hand while tilting your head
the other way - indicates that someone is drunk.

Putting your index finger and pulling down the skin under your eye is equal to saying I don't
believe you.

Do not slap your open palm over a closed fist. This is considered a vulgar gesture.

The "okay" sign, made with index finger and thumb, means "zero."

The French use the "thumbs up" sign to say "okay."

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Nonverbal Communication in India

Greeting with 'namaste' - placing both hands together with

a slight bow is a very common nonverbal communication
and shows respect for Indian customs.

You can also shake hands; Men may shake hands with other
men and women may shake hands with other women.
There are seldom handshakes between men and women
because of religious beliefs. If you are uncertain, wait for
them to extend their hand.

Indians value personal space, therefore don't stand close

to Indians, allow an arm's length space.

Public displays of affection are not proper.

Side to side hand wave is frequently interpreted by Indians

as "no" or "go away."
Use your right hand only to touch someone, pass money or pick up merchandise. The left hand
is considered unclean.

Do not touch anyone's head. The head is considered sensitive.

Never point with a single finger or two fingers. Point with your chin, whole hand or thumb.

When an Indian answers, "I will try," he or she generally means "no." This is considered a polite
"no."

Pointing a finger at someone would be considered rude.

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Nonverbal Communication in Japan

Bowing is a customary nonverbal communication in Japan

- Bowing during an introduction shows status. Business
inferiors must bow lower than superiors.

Walking habits - The Japanese walk in short quick strides

and drooping shoulders this low posture is called
teishisei.

Eye Contact - eye contact shows that you are being

aggressive, and rude. It is normal in Japan to avoid eye
contact as it shows respect.

Pointing with the index finger is considered rude. You

should point with the entire hand.

When entering a private home or traditional restaurants,

it is usually customary to remove your shoes and place them with the toes pointing toward the
outdoors.

Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement. Most Japanese

maintain impassive expression when speaking.

Japanese find it hard to say 'no'. The best solution is to phrase questions so that they can
answer yes. For example, do you disagree with this?

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Nonverbal Communication in Mexico

Shake hands or give a slight bow when introduced.

Women (initiate the handshake) and Mexicans generally

stand close together when conversing. Don't show signs of
discomfort, which would be considered rude by your
Mexican counterpart.
Don't stand with your hands on your hips; this signifies anger. It is considered rude to stand
around with your hands in your pockets.

Time is a very flexible thing in Mexico. As such, don't be offended or surprised if your contacts
in Mexico don't show up in time.

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Nonverbal Communication in Nigeria

Be careful about eye contact. Constant and direct eye

contact can be seeing as being intrusive. Therefore gazing
at the shoulder level or the forehead is considered polite.

Touching or making gestures when speaking is very

common and should not be interpreted as having any
sexual undertone.

Don't use your left hand to give or receive objects. The

left hand is considered unclean.

Shake hands upon meeting someone and don't forget to

smile! Sometimes men may place their hand on the other
person's shoulder during a handshake. Shake hands again
upon departing.

Don't shake hands with a woman unless she initiates it.

Exchange hugs and kisses with people you know well.

To rush a greeting is extremely rude; spend time inquiring about the other person’s general
well-being.

Thumb extended upward is considered a very rude signal.

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Nonverbal Communication in Russia

A handshake is always appropriate when greeting or

leaving.

Don't shake hands over a threshold (Russian belief holds

that this action will lead to an argument).

Public physical contact is common. Hugs, backslapping,

kisses on the cheeks are common among friends or
acquaintances and between members of the same sex.

Russians stand close when talking.

When a Russian touches another person during conversation, it is usually a sign of confidence.

The “thumbs-up” sign can be an acceptable gesture of approval.

Putting your thumb through your index and middle fingers or making the "OK" sign is considered
very rude gestures in Russia.

Speaking or laughing loudly in public is discouraged.

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Nonverbal Communication in Thailand

The traditional Thai greeting is called the wai. In general,

the younger person greets first, by placing the palms
together at chest level and bowing slightly. If someone wai
to you, it is polite to wai back.

In giving or receiving gifts or passing things, Thais ordinarily

use the right hand. They place the left hand under the right
elbow, and bow the head slightly.

Do not touch another person’s head. The head is considered

sacred, since it is the source of intelligence and spiritual
substance.

The feet come in contact with the ground, and thus are
considered to be dirty. Pointing the bottom of your feet at someone can be interpreted as an
insult.

Remove your shoes before entering a temple or a home.

It is rude to sit with your ankle crossed over a knee, or to place an arm over the back of
someone’s chair.

A smile is often used for an apology, and a nod doesn't mean yes, it is simply a gesture of
respect.

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Nonverbal
Communication in
Turkey

People greet each other with a two-handed handshake or by

a kiss on both cheeks.

It is very common to see two man holding hands or arm in

arm at walking on the street This means that they are just
good friends.
Waving a hand up and down at you, palm towards the ground, is a signal for you to come.

Elders are highly respected. If you are seated, rise to greet them when they enter a room.

Don't cross your arms or put your hands in your pockets while facing or talking to someone.

Inclining your head forwards means ‘yes’ and inclining your head backwards and raising
eyebrows means ‘No’

In most countries when thumb and index finger form a circle it means “Okay”. In Turkey it
means homosexual and is considered a big insult.

Turned-up palm and fingers held together forming a small ”bowl”: means “good”, and is used
when commenting on food.

Turks tend to stare at one another and at foreigners.

Turks will stand close to you while conversing. Do not back away, as this can be construed as
unfriendly.

It is vital that you maintain eye contact while speaking since Turks take this as a sign of
sincerity.

Pressing your thumb on your upper teeth is a sign of fear.

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Nonverbal Communication in
United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Placing hands on the heart shows genuine respect and

humility. Sometimes, this is used in combination with a
small bow, meaning thank you.

Scratching or holding of a chin or beard is an indication

that someone is thinking. It might be wise to wait until the
person has finished thinking before continuing talking.

Friends' kissing each other on the cheek is a sign of

friendship, and it is common amongst male friends.

Shaking hand is the normal greeting with a male. Females

do shake hands with each other, and occasionally a kiss is
shared. Males should not shake hand with a female unless
the hand is offered by a female.

Touching noses three times when shaking hands is a

traditional Bedouin greeting.

Holding hands for a long period after shaking hands is a sign of friendship
A Hug is an indication that you are considered a trustworthy friend. A refusal to touch may
suggest that you are believed to be untrustworthy or unclean.

If an Arab bites their right finger, it is a sign of contempt and that you are not liked.

If a semi clenched hand is placed in front of the stomach, it means that you are thought to be a
liar.

Placing finger on the Nose, beard or head means that it is the intention of the person to
undertake what you are talking about.

Putting all fingers and thumbs together (like a cup) means; 'Wait just one minute' or 'slow
down'.

If the fingers of the left hand are clasped together and touched with the right forefinger, this is
the equivalent of giving someone the finger in the West.

A clawing action with the right hand is usually indicative of a beckoning to move closer or to
come into a room. Never beckon anyone with one finger pointing up

The sole of the foot is dirty - never point the sole of your foot in the direction of an Arab.

When offered something to drink, always say yes. Saying no would mean rejecting someone's
hospitality.

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Nonverbal Communication in Britain

The handshake is the common form of greeting.

There is some protocol to follow when introducing people in a

business: Introduce a younger person to an older person.
Introduce a person of lower status to a person of higher status.
When two people are of similar age and rank, introduce the one
you know better to the other person.

Hugging, kissing and touching is usually reserved for family

members and very close friends.

The British like a certain amount of personal space. Do not

stand too close to another person or put your arm around
someone's shoulder.

Staring is considered rude, and makes people feel

uncomfortable.

If you hold up two fingers in a ‘v’ sign and the palm is facing inward it means ‘up yours’.

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 Nonverbal Communication in the U.S.A

Greetings are casual and quite informal - A handshake, a

smile, and 'hello'.

Stand while being introduced. Only the elderly, the ill and
physically unable persons remain seated while greeting or
being introduced.

Handshakes are usually brief. Light handshakes are

considered distasteful. Use a firm grip. Eye contact is
important when shaking someone’s hand.

Keep your distance when conversing. Americans are generally uncomfortable with same-sex
touching, especially between males.

Americans smile a great deal, even at strangers. They like to have their smiles returned.

Men and women will sit with legs crossed at the ankles or knees, or one ankle crossed on the
knee.

It is considered rude to stare, ask questions or otherwise bring attention to someone's

disability.

Arrive on time for meetings since time and punctuality are so important to Americans.