Nonverbal communication and culture. Identity, stereotypes and prejudices, страница 6

Whether it be Sikhs in white turbans, Hasidic Jews in blue yarmulkes, or Africans in white dashikis, you need to learn to be tolerant of external differences so that you do not let these differences impede communication. What you might consider quite a garish costume or excessive formality in dress may very likely be a reflection of a culture's particular set of values. Each culture teaches its members about what is appropriate.

Body Movement: Kinesics. People have always known that action communicates. The study of how movement communicates is called kinesics. In general, kinesic cues are those visible body shifts and movements that can send messages about 1) your attitude toward the other person (standing face to face with a friend - direct body orientation - or leaning forward may show that you are relaxed), 2) your emotional state (tapping on the table or playing with coins can mean you are nervous), and 3) your desire to control your environment (motioning someone to come closer means you want to talk to him or her).

Because scholars have suggested that people can make as many as 700,000 distinct physical signs, any attempt at cataloging them would be fruitless. Our purpose is simply to call your attention to the idea that while all people use movement to communicate, culture teaches you how to use and interpret these movements. In most instances the messages generated by the body operate only in combination with other messages. People usually smile and say hello to a friend at the same time.

Posture.Posture and sitting habits offer insight into a culture's deep structure. We can see the bond been culture and values by simply looking at the Japanese and Indian cultures. In Japan, and other Asian cultures, the bow is much more than a greeting. It signifies that culture's concern with status and rank. In Japan, for example, low posture is an indicator of respect. Although it appears simple to the outsider, the bowing ritual is actually rather complicated. The person who occupies the lower station begins the bow, and his or her bow must be deeper than the other person's. The superior, on the other hand, determines when the bowing is to end. When the participants are of equal rank, they begin the bow in the same manner and end at the same time.

In India the posture when greeting someone is directly linked with the idea that Hindus see God in everything—including other people. The namaskar (Indian greeting) is carried out by a slight bow with the palms of both hands together, the fingertips at the chin.

In the United States and Canada, where being casual and friendly is valued, people often fall into chairs or slouch when they stand. In many countries, such as Germany and Sweden, where lifestyles tend to be more formal, slouching is considered a sign of rudeness and poor manners. In Belgium, putting one's hands in one's pockets is a sign of disrespect. Cultures also differ in the body orientations they assume during communication. For example, Arabs use a very direct body orientation when communicating. The Chinese, on the other hand, tend to feel uncomfortable with this style and normally will carry out their business in a less direct stance.

The manner in which you sit also can communicate a message. In Ghana and in Turkey, sitting with one's legs crossed is extremely offensive. People in Thailand believe that because the bottoms of the feet are the lowest part of the body, they should never be pointed in the direction of another person. In fact, for the Thai, the feet take on so much significance that people avoid stomping with them.

Gestures.The power of gestures as a form of communication is reflected in the fact that the co-culture of the deaf has a rich and extensive vocabulary composed of gestures. A grimmer example of the power of gestures can be found in the hand signals used by various urban gangs. The slightest variation in performing a certain gesture can be the catalyst for a violent confrontation.