2). Although nonverbal messages are more universal than verbal messages, nonverbals do not always carry the same meanings in other cultures. Can you give examples of some of the nonverbal displays that take on different meanings in other countries? If you have moved around within this country, have you ever encountered regional differences in nonverbal meaning? I haven’t encountered too much nonverbal behavior that isn’t universal. I am aware that there are a lot of inconsistencies but a specific one I can relate to is when I am around my Filipino family members, elders tend to point at things with their mouths.
Another gesture I can think of is forms of greetings. My sister’s husband has a brother who came from Uzbekistan. Upon greeting him my brother put up his fist expecting him to punch his fist too. Instead, he just held it and looked very confused.
The only other country I have been to is the Philippines and I spent every summer there since I was born. A lot of my cultural identity is from being there. I don’t see a lot of difference in nonverbal behavior.
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Hello Jane Jolie! It's interesting that you say that there is not much difference in nonverbal behavior between America and the Philippines. Do you think this is perhaps because you are so used to each culture that you maybe don't notice differences? How about the way we call people to us in America versus how it is done in the Philippines? Are the hand gestures different? What about facial expressions? Nodding when someone says hi in America versus the latter?
ReplyDeleteI definately feel that the reason why I don't see a significant difference between the two cultures is because I am so used to both of them.
ReplyDeleteThe only real nonverbal difference that I can think of is the pursing of the lips to signify a pointing motion.
I think Filipinos have a lot of American culture influence. The school systems are in English and its as though Filipinos are taught to be prepared for U.S. life.
It could just be my outlook on it.