Cultural differences: Impact of Cultural differences on nonverbal communication

Impact of Cultural differences on nonverbal communication
Communication is transmission of information and thoughts during exchanges between individuals. There are different forms of styles used in communication. Language is just one of the styles of communication. However, it is short sighted to consider language over additional styles of communication. The most frequently used, even though it may not be as obvious, is nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication is the method of communication without words. Although nonverbal communication might be somewhat easier to employ between countries, visual communication still remains a topic that needs to be learned between the various difference cultures all over the world. One’s culture administers the way they draw near each abovementioned characteristic of apparent presentation. Since the beginning of time people have been trying to enhance and improve their means of communication. Cultural difference can have a great impact on non-verbal communication. The objective of this paper is to highlight the impact cultural difference can have on non-verbal communication this involves body postures, gestures, facial expressions, emotions and the silent language.
Gestures are precise body movements that hold a lot of valuable meaning. Hand motions single-handedly can communicate numerous meanings: “Not now”, “Come here,” “Be quite” are just a few examples. Cultural differences are known for impacting greatly on the gestures and precise body movements holding some valuable meanings. The signs for these phrases in a number of cultures differ. For example, summoning people to come with the palm up is frequent used gesture in the United States. However, the same gesture when used in countries like the Philippines, Korea, and parts of Latin America as well as a number of other cultures is considered rude. Children, copy and are trained to use nonverbal movements to communicate. When visiting another country, foreigners are advised that not gestures are to be used world wide. For example, the O.K. signal in the American culture is a sign for money in Japan. This is the reason the editors of a Brazilian newspaper took pleasure in printing a picture of a former American president giving the "O.K." symbol with both hands. From this perspective cultural differences have great impact on the non-verbal style of communication.
Burgoon, Buller and Woodall, (1995, p.67) assert that more often than not these communication methods have evolved under the influence of socio cultural norms. Altering with every culture is the interpreted explanation of non verbal communication. Just the way technical and verbal communication have evolved non verbal communication styles have also matured over time to reflect a lot about ones society and culture. Therefore when cross culture communication takes place along with “Verbal” communication, “Non-Verbal” communication also influences conversations in a very important way. According to Wang De-hua (2007, p.86) tied together by universal origins and comparable paths of growth, visual and verbal communication are both identified by the culture from which they were formed. Therefore culture gives significance to etiquette, special hand gestures, regardless of the physical distance between two people while talking, handshakes and greetings; in one way or another culture influences every single aspect of non verbal communication.
On a different perspective facial expressions hold significance attributable to circumstances and relationships. In the perspective of many cultures, facial expressions are used to portray different meanings. Use of smile for instance portrays different meanings with respect to culture and place. For example, in American culture the smile is classically an expression of joy. However it is a number of other purposes it may show affection, convey politeness or disguise ones true feeling. A smile by a woman given to a police officer is quite different to a smile given to a child and holds a different meaning. Tyler, Kossen and Ryan (2002, p. 185) explain that a lot of people in Russia deem smiling at strangers in public to be strange and even distrustful. At the same time many Americans smile liberally at strangers in public places.
The extent to which facial expressions are expressed differs between individuals and cultures. If a member of one culture does not show the emotions openly it does not mean under any circumstances that they do not experience emotions. These people tend to curb their expressions because of their cultural restricts them to do so. Pika, Nicoladis & Marentette, (2009, p.66) explain that , in public and official situations a lot of Japanese do not show their emotions as liberally as Americans do, however in a private setting Japanese show the same amount of emotions as any American would in the same setting. A number of teachers in the U.S. have a tough time in understanding whether their Japanese students have understood or enjoyed their lessons. The American teachers are usually looking for more facial expressions than what the Japanese student is at ease with in the classroom setting.
Another non-verbal style in communication that varies widely with cultural differences is the use of eye contact. Indeed eye contacts are diverse across cultures. A number of Americans are not at ease with the "stare" that is now and then linked with Arab or Indian communication behavior. For Americans,...