chapter 3 - Pearson Learning Solutions

2009934667
CULTURALLY SPEAKING
Waving Hello and Good-bye
In most European countries, the accepted way to wave hello and good-bye is palm
out, hand and arm stationary, fingers wagging up and down. The common American
waving of hello or goodbye means no—except in Greece, where it is an insult.
Source: worldcitizensguide.org
in a Mexico City client’s office, may decide to leave the office, feeling that she is being
ignored and that the client’s lateness is a sign of lack of interest in the business deal.
But the Mexican client may not consider himself at all tardy and may be totally
confused by the European American’s quick exit.
European Americans engaged in business dealings with Arabs, for example,
should understand and adhere to their customs of hospitality so as to be successful.
The initial meeting with an Arab businessperson is typically devoted to fact
finding. No commitments are implied or made, but the initial session is usually
lengthy and thorough. Based on their pattern of working quickly so as not to waste
time, European Americans often feel that the process is tedious. The next meeting
is taken up with additional rituals. It is not unusual for a business deal to take as
long as thirty days to complete.
Gesture patterns, which have verbal meanings, also vary. For instance, the
thumb-and-forefinger-in-a-circle gesture means “okay” in the United States. In
France or Belgium, however, it means the recipient is worth zero. The same gesture
in Greece and Turkey is a sexual invitation. Similarly, an index finger tapping to the
temple with the other fingers curled against the palm usually means “You’re smart”
in the United States whereas it communicates “You’re stupid” in most of Europe. 20
The use of space also varies widely around the world. Arabs, South Americans,
and Eastern Europeans generally favor close conversational encounters, which
may make European Americans feel somewhat uncomfortable and Germans and
Scandinavians totally uncomfortable.
We tend to read nonverbal signs on the basis of our own personal background
and experiences, and we assume that others share the same interpretations—an
assumption that can be misleading, even dangerous. We must remember that in
all forms of communication, an understanding of the receiver is necessary. And,
as if matters were not complicated enough, we also must be aware that although
cultural patterns are reported to be persistent, not all the people within a given
culture share identical patterns.
Emotional Influences on
Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 3 Nonverbal Communication 61
Emotions have a direct effect on the size of people’s personal territory and their
resulting nonverbal responses. When people are insecure, they tend to avoid closeness.
People who are emotionally upset may even become violent if someone
invades their territory. Again, these are representative of the basic human needs
and what happens when needs are not being satisfied.
When people are upset, their bodies may become rigid. For example, many
people who are nervous about public speaking report that their throats tighten
Communicating: A Social and Career Focus, Tenth Edition, by Roy M. Berko, Andrew D. Wolvin, and Darlyn R. Wolvin. Published by Allyn & Bacon.
Copyright © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.