Body langue is the only language used all around the globe. All cultures, wherever they may originate from, have some forms of body langue. However, interpreting these gestures can be a difficult task, especially as global communication is growing rapidly, as similar gestures have different meanings in different cultures. Heres a list of things to keep in mind when communication with people from other cultures than your own, in order to avoid misunderstandings and embarrassments:

1. A gesture says more than a thousand words

First off, keep in mind that what you do reveals more about you than what you say. Keep in mind what gestures you perform and try to follow the local customs. It's considered polite in almost all cultures to follow local customs when visiting a foreign country.

2. Learn what not to do

Second, before getting involved with communications across cultures, do some research on what not to do. This can save you from some highly embarrassing moments. For example, did you know that shaking your head means "yes" in some countries, such as Bulgaria?

Furthermore, some gestures are even considered offensive in some countries yet very polite in other. Further down in this article you'll find a list of more examples on differences in meaning.

3. Use the differences to your advantage

The different meanings of various gestures don't have to be a problem, though. You can use the differences to your advantage by learning some polite manners before communicating with people of another culture. Thus, you can impress the people you are communicating with and they will appreciate that you've taken the time and effort to learn about their culture.

4. Examples

Here are some examples of what various gestures mean in different cultures:

Eye contact In our western society eye contact usually represent interest and understanding. Among for example Native Americans and Chinese women, however, eye contact is considered rude and even hostile. Some cultures also consider lowering your eyes a sign of respect.

Distance Many Asian cultures see standing at a far distance when talking as polite. On the other hand, in some cultures, for example in the Middle East, standing close to the person you talk to is the right thing to do.

Head movement Shaking your head is typically interpreted as a "no" in western society. Some other cultures interpret a shake of the head as the opposite: a "yes". In the same way, moving the head up and down can mean either yes or no in different cultures and in some cultures the same movements can mean different things depending on the situation.

Handshakes Handshakes are usually a form of greeting, but they're performed differently in various cultures. Some cultures use a firm grip, others use a gentler handshake. In Japan the handshake is usually performed with a straight arm accompanied by a bow while in the Middle East the free hand is usually placed on the forearm of the person you greet.

Hopefully this guide has taught you to avoid some misunderstandings when communicating across cultures. Such communications can be challenging and it's important to know the customs of the country you're going to if going abroad. By following the above tips you can avoid unwanted situations as well as get off on the right foot with the people you're communicating with.

Learn more about this author, Johan Dahlberg.
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