INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION)
Intercultural communication is the communication different cultures and social groups use to
communicate in their daily life. Examples of intercultural communication can consist of many
factors.
1. “thumbs up” sign is taken as a symbol to say okay in most cultures but it has offending
meanings in Iran, Latin America, and some other cultures.
2. eating with hands is considered to be an accepted way to eat in Indian culture and
Filipino culture but is taken as manner-less in many other cultures specially western
countries.
3. Body Language: in the United States, families normally wave hello to greet each other
and that’s all.. In Hispanic culture, families they are more inclined to hug and give a kiss
on the cheek when they interact- or greeting in some Asian cultures may consist of a bow.
4. In many Asian cultures, avoiding eye contact is seen as a sign of respect. However, those
in Latin and North America consider eye contact important for conveying equality among
individuals. In Ghana, if a young child looks an adult in the eye, it is considered an act of
defiance.
5. Touching children on the head is fine in North America. Yet in Asia, this is considered
highly inappropriate, as the head is considered a sacred part of the body.
6. Individuals in the United States use the “OK” sign to convey that something is
acceptable. In Japan, the same hand symbol means “money.”
7. Argentinians, Belgians, the French and the Portuguese all use the symbol to mean “zero”
or “nothing.” Still other countries in Eastern Europe consider that same sign an offensive
swear.
8. Winking is a facial expression particularly varied in meaning. In Latin America, for
example, the gesture is often considered a romantic or sexual invitation. The Yoruba
people in Nigeria wink at their children if they want them to leave the room. And the
Chinese consider the gesture rude.
9. In America, standing with hands on the hips may suggest power or pride, but in
Argentina, it may suggest anger or a challenge.
10. Slouching in Taiwan is considered disrespectful, while other parts of the world may not
think much of it one way or another.
