Cultural Differences in Body Language Essay

Do you have a go at it what I am doing? (thumbs up to the side Hitch hiking). When I do this, most of you would think it means good short letter. But in the middle east, for example in Iran, its an insult similar to the middle feel. Good evening Madam Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests, tonight lets look at ashes language in different cultures. Do you agree that gestures can communicate as effectively as words? I agree. Some might argue, it maybe even more than words. However we must be aw are different culture has different body language.Therefore, in our personal and business lives, careful thoughtfulness must be portrayn to whom we are with and where they are from. A question that we might ask is do we expect new(prenominal) cultures to adapt to our customs and protocol, or are we giveing to make an extra hunting expedition to learn more about how they favour to communicate? It wouldnt be the first time that individual who wasnt familiar with the communication customs of another country, found themselves in a rather uneasy 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 overlooked the welcoming crowd gathered below him. He smiled and proudly raised both hands high in the air, palms facing superficial and gave a gesture of his trademark famous cessation sign (as he had done many times before while travelling abroad). However the top of the inning immediately began to jeer and hiss at the President, and he found himself on the receiving end of a unfriendly and rude welcome.Could you imagine how he felt? The reason was because in the country he was visiting, the deuce fingered, palms outward Peace sign, which was pleasing in North America, was an absolutely offensive gesture to the local people in that African country. This would have been the equivalent of a president from another country visiting New Zealand, and w ith a smile, flipped the bird which in their country might have meant greetings. As a member of the audience, how might you fight back?In North America, a simple thumbs up gesture can mean that things are neat 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 liberty chits from side to side to say yes. Correct me if Im equipment casualty my Indian friends. There are also variations in saying no. In Greece they toss their head up.In Japan, they wave their hands in front of their nose like ur gesture for stinky. Or, how about the OK sign where the index finger and the thumb connect to make an O shape and the three remain fingers point up and slightly flare out. Although acceptable in Western culture to signal that things are A-OK, in Russia or Turkey, this gesture can repres ent a sexual insult. specifically an orifice (thats as far as Ill go with that). In 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 much(prenominal) as France or Italy, it is acceptable to exchange a kiss on one or both cheeks while shaking hands when greeting one another. In other countries such as Japan, this lawsuit of behavior is considered impolite as the Japanese are considered to be a non-touch society relative to other cultures. The Japanese have a respectful custom to bow to each other. The most senior stipulation person bows the least and the least status person having to bow first and display the deepest bend from the waist. fear cards are exchanged and read first in a complex formality.This ritual is to retard the seniority, position or rank of everyone in the room first. Then the bowing gesture commences based on the information read. For example, lets say Tony Cooper is the CEO of Mitsubishi Motors in Japan. I am a small department manager from Fonterathe process is So as you can see, it is really important 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 will get you noticed and others will appreciate that you are both respectful and prepared. Tonight youve learnt as least one thing be careful if you thumb a ride in Greece O Take the time and invest in a little(a) research to become culturally educated. By doing this you will be able to rescue 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 way prior to traveling abroad on business. Surely it helps if you are willing t o make an extra effort to learn more about how they prefer to communicate. As the saying goes, In Rome, do like the Romans do. Get to know your audience and their customs. immortalise in business, its about being prepared and establishing rapport quickly. Understanding body language in different culture might be the very thing that tips the scales in your favor and will give you the competitive edge youre looking for.