BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

opposite sex. But the African-American sees this as another example of
discrimination (not touching him because he is black).
Cultures (English, German, Scandinavian, Chinese, and Japanese)
with high emotional restraint concepts have little public touch; those
which encourage emotion (Latino, Middle-East, Jewish) accept frequent
touches. It has been noted, for example, that Mediterranean, Middle
Eastern and Latin American cultures employ much social touching in
conversation, including embraces and hand-holding; these are called highcontact
(or high-touch) cultures. In moderate-touch cultures such as North
America and Northern Europe, touching is used only occasionally, such as
in handshakes and sporadic shoulder touching or back slapping. In low
contact cultures such as in Northern Asian cultures, meanwhile, social
touching is rarely used at all. But the geography is by no means that
simple. People in the Asian nation of the Philippines, for example, use a
large amount of social touching in conversation and personal interaction.
In USA the handshake is common (even for strangers), hugs, and
kisses for those of opposite gender or of family (usually) on an
increasingly more intimate basis. Note differences between African-
Americans and Anglos in USA. Most African Americans touch on
greeting but are annoyed if touched on the head (good boy, good girl
overtones).
In Islamic and Hindu cultures people typically don’t touch with
the left hand. To do so is a social insult. Left hand is for toilet functions.
Mannerly, in India to break your bread is permitted only with your right
hand, sometimes is difficult for non-Indians.
Islamic cultures generally don’t approve of any touching between
genders (even handshakes). But consider such touching (including hand
holding, hugs) between same-sex to be appropriate.
Many Asians don’t touch the head - head houses the soul and a
touch puts it in jeopardy.
5.5. Extraverbal Communication
Extraverbal Communication is a form of communication which
includes receiving and sending of information by mean of time, place,
context, orientation towards target groups aspects.
Physical environment
Environmental factors such as furniture, architectural style,
interior decorating, lighting conditions, colors, temperature, noise, and
101