SPECIFIC TOPIC: HOW TO BE SYMBOL-MINDED

HOW TO BE SYMBOL-MINDED

What to one culture is a friendly gesture can be in another an obscenity.  This is because nonverbal communication – including gestures and social rules for eye contact and personal space is culturally specific. This means that what you do not know about a culture’s code may put you your social interactions at risk, whether you are ordering food, asking directions or negotiating a business deal “People trust nonverbal displays than what is being said,” says Peter Waxer, a professor of psychology at York University in Toronto. “It is more honest.” In highly charged situations, says Waxer, up to 80 percent of what we really think can be communicated through our actions, which either belie or bolster what we say.

Dane Archer a professor of sociology at the University of California at Santa Cruz says that nonverbal behavioral gestures are not taught but rather observed from the time we are children. While there are certain gestures that cross boarders, there are some that don’t exist outside a particular culture. Despite increased global travel and cultural exchanges, Archer doubts there will ever be a universal nonverbal language. Social norms are still deeply entrenched within a cultural context.

SOME GENERAL GESTURE RULES: ·         Do not assume gestures mean the same thing everywhere! The North American hand symbol for “okay” for example is an insult in Italy and obscene in Brazil, among other countries. ·         Never mirror a gesture. A traveler in Egypt once observed workmen gesture towards him, raising both arms over their heads. Assuming it was a friendly display, he gestured back. In fact as the traveler soon found out, it was an invitation to fight. ·         Take cues from those around you. Observing other people’s behavior and mannerisms can help you get a sense of what is and is not acceptable. ·         Ask questions to avoid confusion. The North American nod for “yes” is actually the sigh for “no” in some parts of Asia and Europe. But some people in those areas are adopting the North American nod for “yes” especially during business meetings.

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