6.6: Growing Your Nonverbal Intercultural Communication Skills

Figure 6.7.1: Communicating nonverbally in Xi'an.

Suggestions for Communicating Nonverbally Across Cultures

Just as we adjust our verbal communication depending on our audience or the situation, it’s equally important to be mindful of our nonverbal cues. Gestures, eye contact, posture, and personal space can carry very different meanings across cultures. Being aware of these differences—and willing to adapt—can help us communicate more respectfully and effectively in intercultural settings. Below are some tips to keep in mind when navigating nonverbal communication across cultures.

1. Be cautious in making assumptions based on nonverbal actions.
   The same gestures may have quite different meanings in different cultures. We often tend to assume body language and gestures are universal, but that is not the case.

2. Try to understand the cultural values attached to nonverbal conventions.
   Try to penetrate beneath the surface of the behavior. Consider as well whether the behavior may be personal and idiosyncratic, rather than cultural and typical.

3. Watch and imitate as appropriate.
   As the saying goes, "when in Rome, do as the Romans." In some cases, adopting different nonverbal behavior might be easy and straightforward, for example, bowing in Japan. In other cases, divergence might be more appropriate, for example, refraining from kneeling along with Muslims in prayer services.

4. Learn in advance.
   Whether you have the opportunity to travel abroad or to attend a cultural event at home, it is wise to spend a little time to learn about nonverbal cultural rules in advance. For example, in the United States, it is generally considered inappropriate for wedding guests to wear white, as the color is traditionally reserved for the bride; however, in certain African cultures, such as Ghana, white is often embraced as a celebratory color and worn proudly by guests to honor the occasion.

5. Be mindful of hand usage.
   In many cultures around the world, the left hand is traditionally reserved for personal hygiene and considered unclean. As a result, it is good practice to avoid using your left hand to pass, accept, or exchange items, especially in formal or intercultural settings.

6. Respect personal space and proximity norms.
   What feels like a comfortable conversational distance in one culture may feel intrusive or aloof in another. Pay attention to how close others stand or sit, and adjust accordingly.

7. Observe eye contact conventions.
   In some cultures, direct eye contact signals confidence and honesty; in others, it may be seen as disrespectful or confrontational. Consider the age, status, and context before assuming eye contact is appropriate.

8. Notice silence and pauses.
   Silence may be uncomfortable in some cultures and deeply respectful in others. A pause might signal reflection, disagreement, or simply a different rhythm of communication. Resist the urge to fill every gap.

9. Attend to posture and stance.
   The way one sits, stands, or positions their body can convey attentiveness, humility, authority, or disengagement. What seems casual in one culture may be interpreted as rude or overly familiar in another.

10. Be aware of facial expressions and emotional display.
    Smiling, frowning, or showing emotion may be encouraged in some cultures and discouraged in others. Emotional restraint or expressiveness is often culturally shaped, and misinterpretation can easily occur.