Body Language
& Culture

In order to understand how body language and culture coincide we must understand what body language is.

According to merriam-webster.com body language is "the gestures, movements, and mannerisms by which a person or animal communicates with others".

How does body language differ throughout cultures?

According to globaloggue.com "In the U.S. the handshake is considered a standard form of greeting between two people. But handshakes mean many things in many cultures. In China, the oldest person is greeted first with a light grip and slight bow and no direct eye contact. In Turkey firm handshakes are rude but you should hold the hand for a long time. In France you should shake quickly and lightly. Australian women do not shake hands with other women".

Different countries have different customs, something as simple as a hand shake can be perceived in many different ways.

I once met a woman who was Muslim. When I met her husband I (out of what I thought was courtesy) extended my hand to shake hands. He awkwardly shook my hand but did not make eye contact. I asked him if everything was okay, he informed me that in the Muslim faith it is seen as disrespectful and seducing to shake hands with the opposite sex. I quickly apologized and he told me that he was aware of the culture difference but it still made him uncomfortable.

This experience taught me that I need to be as conscious as possible about other cultures and what makes others comfortable. I would not want any one to misunderstand or misinterpret my body language and take offense.

In the book The Study of Language, we learn that emblems or signals are often used such as a thumbs up or a "peace" sign.

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In Britain the use of two fingers in the form of a V means a victory when the back of the hand faces the sender. When the back of the hand faces the receiver, it is a very offensive insult.

How is body language similar in different countries?

Dr. Paul Ekman studied facial expressions and tried to see if there were any univeral facial expressions.

Dr. Ekman's team asked volunteers from Papua New Guinea, Japan, and Western countries to make facial expressions that belong with the phrases that they are being shown.

Through this experiment, Dr. Ekman was able to discover that there are 7 universal facial expressions. Happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, contentment, fear and surprise.

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Why is it important to know that there are cultrual differences and similarities in body language?

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• We may not speak all languages, but we do have the knowledge of body language. We can show respect and communicate with others through body language.
• I think that this demonstrates that the ability to navigate body language well is more important than having a broad vocabulary.

It is important to be aware because you do not want to offend anyone, especially in a country that you are visiting.

Resources

• “Body Language.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body%20language.
• “Our Blog.” Globaloggue, 5 June 2015, globaloggue.com/how-body-language-affects-cross-cultural-communication/.

Resources

• “Gestures and Sign Language.” The Study of Language, by George Yule, Cambridge University Press, 2017, p. 224.

Resources

• “Secrets of Body Language.” Films Media Group, 2008, digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=104439&xtid=43109. Accessed 17 Oct. 2019.