Nonverbal Messages
When interacting with people from another culture or country, it is pertinent to understand nonverbal communication and ques. In the United States, it is custom to shake their hand, but that is not custom in most eastern countries and cultures. In my studies of China, I am realizing how other cultures signify respect to one another. To be an affective communicator, even the little signs such as spatial awareness, how you express yourself via clothes and jewelry, and your eye contact are just some factors that are nonverbal. It is important to not offend one another from another culture, to show respect, and to effectively communicate.
There are multiple potential obstacles that make it difficult to interpret nonverbal communication. The American hand sign of the peace sign may be offensive in other cultures, while the middle finger may represent something else entirely in Asia. Besides the obvious hand gestures, the very nature of nonverbal communication being nuanced makes it troubling to be accurate. Personality and confirmation biases can also hinder one's ability to accurately read nonverbal communication.
In China, the beauty standard is tall, thin, and pale. In order to achieve this, Chinese woman stay out of the sun and can use face moisturizers which goal is to lighten the complexion. This is a nonverbal que that can send nonverbal signals to other Chinese people as well as Korean, Japanese, and even Indian cultures place significance on light features. The light or pale skin is used to communicate youthfulness, innocence, and purity. Another source of nonverbal communication is eye contact. Eye contact in Chinese culture is mostly indirect eye contact. This represents sincerity and niceness. Lowering one's gaze can signify respect to an elder.
Chinese people talk and have interpersonal relationships around an arm's length distance in conversation. In putting myself in this situation, I feel like I would be comfortable with talking one on one because that is pretty on par with how my friends and acquaintances communicate.
Americans and the culture of the United States is to generally not touch strangers, but interpersonal and friendship touch is permitted. For example, my best friend and I hug often, but I wouldn't consider hugging a mutual friend or friend of a friend unless there's different circumstances. Chinese culture permits interpersonal touching but only with clothes friends or a partner. The way my friends and I hug would probably not be considered socially acceptable in Chinese culture.
China culture is both monochronic and polychronic. This culture values being early and punctual in all business aspects. However, being able to adapt to the scenario is also something that they admire as well. These questions are important to answer so when interacting with others of different backgrounds and cultures, I am culturally competent enough to communicate my ideas.
Do you like eye contact?
Yes!
No - that's scary.
-AL