Even though people live in the world globally as one, nonverbal communication can be diverse in different cultures, thus creating a perception that people exist from different planets. Therefore, for a person working in an environment where it is multi-cultural, it is essential to understand the differences (Stoy). Although a smile is the most common nonverbal form of communication, Americans are known to smile freely to strangers, but in Russia, it is regarded as impolite and strange to smile to strangers. Additionally, I can be used to convey embarrassment and pain in the Asian countries. In many cultures, the thumbs up gesture is used to communicate “OK,” but in Latin America and Iran, the gesture has a vulgar meaning. In other cultures, the gesture has no sense at all and not offensive.
Part B: Why nonverbal cues have a different meaning in different cultures
Nonverbal communication is used as means of communication with others primarily for those sharing the same culture. Thus they understand each other well. However, interpretation of such gestures varies from country to country and culture to culture. Just as a person is narrating an exciting story, the audience could be giving a signal informing of smile or nodding. Thus it provides the narrator with an impression that the audience is listening. The case is a perfect example of how back channel communication works in any communication so long as the sender and the receiver of message interpret the message in the same context. Therefore, nonverbal communication has a different meaning in different cultures, because what a culture understand cannot be recognized by a different culture as they do not share the same norms and beliefs. Understanding of different multi-cultural nonverbal communication and gestures helps in adapting to other cultures and easier integration.
Works Cited
Stoy, Ada. Nonverbal Communication in Different Cultures. 29 June 2015. 22 May 2018. .
