Decoding Non verbal Communication and Imagery Worldwide
The text explains the various meanings and types of non-verbal communica9on and the
significance of different imagery in the world.
The nonverbal behavior consists for 60 to 65% of communica9on. Depending on the country,
gestures and language take on different meanings. Colors, flowers, numbers and clothes have
different associa9ons worldwide too.
The study of the body languages is called ‘’kinesics’’ and it also study facial expression, gesture and
posture. The study of eye behavior is called ‘’oculesics’’ and ‘’hap9cs’’ refers to the study of the
behavior of touch, par9cularly the different cultural customs of rituals.
Gestures could have posi9ve or nega9ve connota9on based on country or culture. An example is
the ‘Thumbs-Up’’ or the ‘’Thumbs-Down’’ that has a posi9ve meaning in the U.S and others
countries but it’s an insult in Greece, Australia and Russia; another example is the ‘’V’’ sing, used to
signify victory of WarWold II and ‘’peace’’, but have an obscene meaning in U.K., Ireland, Australia
and New Zealand.
For a public relator prac99oners it’s essen9al to know what imagery is culturally appropriate with
regard to men's and women's clothes. It is also important to know the religious and cultural norms
of a society. Public relators prac99oners must be able to select imagery that represent gender and
ethnic diversity.
Then, the ar9cle explain the importance of Physical Space. This is explained by ‘’the theory of
proxemics’’ which analyzed the dimensions of space and divides in in9mate space, social and
consulta9ve space and public space. The prospec9ve of space change from one country to another.
Colors are also perceived differently and play an important role in weddings, births and funerals. It
is important to dis9nguish between the colors of money, religious colors and the flag colors. They
also ca be discriminatory. An example of different color percep9on is orange which means ‘’sunny’’
and ‘’bright’’ in some culture but in Northern Ireland is associated with the ‘’Orange Order’’ a
Protestant Irish society.
Even cultural prospec9ve on numbers change. People believe that some numbers are lucky while
others are unlucky. In the West it’s believed that the number 13 is unlucky, in fact in many
buildings there is no 13th floor or it’s used as storage space. In Italy, however, it is the number 17
that brings bad luck. Combina9ons of days and numbers can also bring bad luck, for example
Friday the 17th or Tuesday the 13th. But numbers can have a posi9ve connota9ons too. The
number 7 considerate lucky by many culture.
For a public rela9ons writer it’s crucial to know the meaning of religious, poli9cal and na9onal
symbols. Holiday icons are different because not every country celebrate the same holiday.
For come countries desecra9ng the na9onal flag can be a criminal offense.
Popular icons are respected figures which can be actor or actress, dancers, singers, models, writer
or musician. They can lose their reputa9on over a scandal, or they can be respected in one culture
but not respected in another.
Finally it’s important to be sensi9ve about the symbolism of animals and flowers. Their meaning
changes based to the country. Flowers have different meanings according to their color and type,
they can also symbolize bad or good lucky.
