Differences in Nonverbal behaviour

What is Nonverbal communication?

Nonverbal communication is the use of gestures, signs, eye contact, use of time, facial expression, conversational silence, tones and other forms of expressing oneself without using right words. Nonverbal communication takes place in all parts of the world. The meaning of any Nonverbal communication depends on the cultural and societal values of a particular space.

What are the cultural differences in nonverbal communication that exist in the United States?

Nonverbal communication practices vary from many other cultures that exist in the world. Below are some of the cultural differences in Nonverbal communication that United States citizens embrace:

Personal Space

is one of the distinct nonverbal communication practices that the Americans observe. North Americans try to keep distances between themselves while conversing. They usually keep a range of two to three feet; they touch each other less often and use less eye contact. The South American people, on the other hand, do not keep distances when conversing to each other; they maintain direct eye contact and speaks louder.

Gift giving

Giving gifts is another form of nonverbal communication style that the Americans practice. What a person gives another as a gift matter a lot. In America, money is unoffered as a gift. People are also not allowed to provide others gift when their relationship is only business, and therefore professional distances are highly observed. Americans give out tips on special occasions.

Meeting and greeting

 In America, it is also very crucial. Mostly, the Americans nod or smile while greeting each other when they meet. It’s not common for Americans to shake hands after meeting with their friends. However, a handshake is applicable when starting a business meeting or ending a business meeting.

What to wear

In America, clothes that people wear defines one’s personality. Most people in the west wear casual or informal clothes while most people in East America wear formal attire. Dress code varies with the geographical position one lives. Formal wear in America for men include a shirt, suit and shoes. Women, on the other hand, wear official blouses and skirts. It’s therefore not advisable for women to wear low cut blouses as well as small skirts when going to formal occasions.

Cultural Identity and cultural space

In America, there is a change in cultural areas as people travel from one place to another. Cultural space may refer to a home, neighbourhood and the regionalism that people uphold. People rarely change their cultural areas quickly. By change of geographical positions, Americans tend to adopt new cultural practices to be like of the people they meet. Change of cultural behaviour displays one’s capability of being flexible to cope up with all kind of situations.

Time Usage

How people use their time also illustrates their character and is one of the ways to define a person. In America, time is given a high-value definition as it is regarded as a tool which people can gain, loose, waste or save. Communities which practice monochronic cultures appreciate punctuality, tasks completion and respect of schedules. Other communities and people who practice time as polychromic refer to time as being circular, and this often leads to project failure of teams. In some communities, failing to observe time may be seen as indiscipline.

Conclusion

From the above illustrations, it is evident that different communities differ in the way they understand and interpret various forms of nonverbal communications. The means that people from specific region follows by a particular nonverbal cue can be utterly different from that of people from different regions

References

Ltd, C. G. (2020, JANUARY 1). Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette.