International Body Language

7/30/2019 International Body Language

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International Body Language


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Importance

Murder case

Tourism

International Business


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Head

Nodding the head yes in Most Societies

No in some parts of Greece, Yugoslavia,

Bulgaria and Turkey Tossing the head backwards

Yes in Thailand, Philippines, India and Laos

Rocking head slowly, back and forth

Yes, Im Listening in Most Asian countries


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Face

Reflects Expressions, reflect

Emotions, feelings and attitudes

Asians many a times are known as Emotionless

Mixed-up emotions


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Eyes Eye contact

Encouraged in America, Canada & Europe Rude in Most Asian countries and in Africa

Raising Eyebrows Yes in Thailand and some Asian countries

Hello in Philippines Winking Eye

Sharing Secret in America and Europe

Flirtatious gesture in other countries

Closed Eye Bored or sleepy in America

Im Listening and Concentrating in Japan, Thailand andChina


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Ears

Ear-Grasp

Im Sorry in Parts of India

Cupping the Ear I cant Hear You in all Societies

Pulling Ear

Youre in my Heart for Navajo Indians


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Nose

Holding the Nose Something Smell Bad - Universal

Nose tap

Its Confidential England Watch out or Be careful Italy

Pointing to Nose

Its Me - Japan

Blowing Nose

In Most Asian Countries, Blowing the nose atsocial Gathering is Disgusting


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Cheeks

Cheek screw

Gesture of praise Italy

Thats Crazy - Germany

Cheek stroke

Pretty, Attractive, Success Most ofEurope


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Lips and Mouth

Spitting Spitting in public is rude and crude in most

Western Countries

In many Asian countries, spitting in public

is to get rid a persons waste, and

therefore, is considered healthy

Open Mouth

Any Display of the open mouth is considered

very rude in most countries


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Arms

Italians and many use arms freely

Others, like Japanese, are more

reservedBroad movements considered impolite

Folding ArmsDefensive Posture

I disagree with what I am hearing


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Arms Akimbo Stance signals aggressions, resistance,

impatience or even anger Many Cultures

Arms behind back Sign of Ease and Control

Arms in front

Common practice in most Asian countries,

sign of mutual respect for others

Arms


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Hands

Probably used most for communicating Non-Verbally

Hand Waves

Greetings, Farewells

Italian Good-Bye can be interpreted by Americans as

a gesture of come here

American Good-Bye No in Many Parts of Europe

and Latin America

American Come-here gesture Insulting for most of

the Asian Countries


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Beckoning

American way of getting attention

(raising a hand with the Index finger

above head) could be consideredrude in Japan

In China, to beckon a Waiter to refill

your tea, simply turn your empty cupupside down


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Handshaking

Greeting in Most Western

Countries

Middle East Gentle Grip isAppropriate

Most Asian Countries Gentlegrip and an avoidance of direct

eye contact is appropriate


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Hand

Right

Middle East & Asia It is best to

present business cards or Gifts; topass dishes of food

Left

Considered Unclean in Asian

countries


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Hang Loose

Thumb & Little finger extended

In Hawaii, way of saying Stay Cool

or Relax In Japan, it means Six

In Mexico (Vertically) means

Would you like a drink


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Clapping Hands

Russians & Chinese may use

applause to greet someone

Central & Eastern Europe, audiencefrequently clap in rhythm


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Fingers

O.K Signal (the thumb and forefinger for acircle) Fine or o.k. in most cultures

Zero or worthless in some parts of Europe

Money in Japan Insult in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Russia and SomeMore

Thumb-up Means o.k., good job or fine in most cultures

five in Japan; one in Germany

Avoid thumb-up in Australia, New-Zealand, Greece,Turkey, Iran, Russia & Most African countries


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Pointing

Pointing with the Index fingers iscommon in North America andEurope

It is considered impolite in Japanand China, They prefer using thewhole open hand

Malaysians prefer pointing with thumb


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Legs and Feet

In Asia, Do not point with your toes Putting up feet on any desk or any other piece

of furniture is very disrespectful

Sitting Crossed Legged common in North

America & Some European countries, veryImpolite in other parts of the world

Most Asian Countries Solid & Balanced sittingposture is the prevailing custom

In Middle East and Most parts of the world,Resting ankle over the knee risk pointing sole ofyour shoes at another person, which isconsidered as rude Gesture


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International Body Language