Nonverbal Communication: Cultural Differences Across Cultures

When communicating, only a small percent of the exchange is verbal. The larger part of the message is made up of body language or movements, known as nonverbal communication. The reason for people using nonverbal communication is to enhance the message they are sending to the receiver. One way nonverbal communication differs is through cultural differences. Cultural differences have a significant impact on nonverbal communication as cultures differ greatly in their nonverbal interpretations and responses. Firstly, this essay will prove how kinesics can create barriers between people as types of nonverbal cues differ amongst cultures. It will then show that paralinguistics can be based on cultural expectations and this can create stereotyping

Haptics is, perhaps, our most primitive means of communication, starting with the tactile communication between parents and babies (Tyler, Kossen, and Ryan 2005). As with numerous other components of nonverbal communication, haptics is very much a function of culture. How one touches depends on the culture they were raised in. For instance, it has been noted that Mediterranean and Latin American cultures are more touch orientated, which includes, embracing and holding hands. In cultures such as Northern Europe, touching is used only occasionally, which might include handshakes, shoulder touching or the occasional backslap. Whiles in Northern Asian cultures, social touching is seen as a disgrace, and is rarely used at all. These conflicting perspectives on haptics cause problems in cross-cultural context. One cannot go touching anyone, anywhere, at any time, at least not without causing insult and problems in a cross-cultural context. For instance, while touching a child’s head is observed as a loving gesture in European cultures, it is perceived improper by Asians cultures to touch someone on the head as it is believed to be a sacred part of the body. In Middle Eastern cultures, the left hand is solely used for bodily hygiene and should not be used to touch another or exchange objects. In Muslim cultures, it is wrong for opposite gendered individuals to touch, as it is generally seen as being

E.T. Hall, the founding father of proxemics, states that proxemics is the use of space as a function of culture Hall (1969). For instance, Asians believe that Americans stand to close to each other, while those in the Middle East don’t believe that the Americans are close enough; as they sometimes stand under each others feet. Because of cultural differences, the appropriate conversational distance diversifies. People continuously adjust their comfort zone when they are communication to each other. Hall (1990) states, that most North Americans make alterations in conversational distances unconsciously. In normal conversational circumstances, one may adjust to a comfortable distance without thinking about it. For example, if an American was to go to the Middle East they would stand the same distance away from the Arab as they would to another American. The Arab would unwittingly close up the space (Hall 1990). These actions would create a misunderstanding to others around them. Another aspect of how space is perceived can be traced back to the ambience they grew up in. Growing up in crowded ambiences causes disinclination for one to be alone in public. In Japan, people tend to gravitate towards others. For instance, if a westerner was alone in an elevator in Tokyo and a Japanese was to enter, they would more than likely stand right next to the westerner.