Nonverbal communication often has international characteristics that can help with cross-cultural communication. Actually, most communication is done with nonverbal cues, no matter how clear the verbal interaction may be.
Despite cultural differences, there are identifiable universal sounds, facial expressions and body movements that rightly convey a message.
A smile, a frown, crying, all reveal an emotion. How this is interpreted or responded to, rests more with cultural or learned behaviors.
Often nonverbal is the ONLY way to communicate, if there are language differences. Signaling intention, with a smile and a nod of a head is a step towards saying what you would like.
Again, the cultural response may lead to miscommunication. Someone may say to him- or herself "That person should not be smiling at me. They are not someone I know." SO, the interpretation of someone gesturing friendliness or good feelings may be problematic. If there is a language difference, even this negative response will be shown non verbally. All people "get the message" when another walks away or turns away.
In each culture, there are learned explicit gestures that signal dislike, acceptance or some other message. Misinterpreting these can lead to problems. For example, in some cultures, if you want someone to come to you, you wave your hand at them, with the palm of your hand facing the ground. In other cultures, this would be seen as a dismissive gesture.
Even with these problems, nonverbal communication is relied on more and more. As people travel to other countries, meet strangers and embrace cultural diversity, respect and interest in non verbal communication is an excellent starting place to meet others and communicate.
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