This document discusses nonverbal communication and cultural differences in nonverbal cues. It begins by defining nonverbal communication as communication without words, including facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and personal space. It then explains that while some expressions like fear or disgust are universal, most nonverbal cues differ across cultures and must be understood in context. The document proceeds to discuss specific types of nonverbal communication like gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and personal space or conversational distance. It notes that the interpretation of nonverbal cues can vary significantly between cultures and outlines some examples, such as differences in smiling, grief expressions, friendship displays, and eye contact norms. The purpose is to increase awareness of nonverbal communication and how its meaning depends on

1. CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background
Communication is far more than an exchange of words. Facial expressions, hand
gestures, posture, eye contact, even silence all these are constantly sending messages
about human’s attitudes, emotions, status, and human’s relationships.
When a person meets other people who speak only Swahili, it is known that person
need an interpreter to translate our words in order to communicate. But what happens
when a person meet, say, a German woman who happens to speak very good English?
No problem, right?
But her words only tell half the story. Body language and other nonverbal cues vary
as widely as spoken language among different cultures. If a person smile to a German
woman, and a German woman does not smile back, what does that mean? Is the
woman angry? Bored? Lost in thought? To really understand what the German
woman is saying, it is need to understand German body language.
Nonverbal cues are critical in the workplace. These cues can tell whether the staff
understands to the instructions, whether the customer is interested in buying, and
much more.
The nonverbal language people learned while growing up seems natural. Normal and
while some facial expressions, such as fear or disgust, are universal biological
reaction, most other nonverbal cues are learned behavior with no universal
interpretation.
This tip sheet will give the reader a brief overview of a few nonverbal signals and
their cultural significance. Many people never learn the meaning of every sign in
every culture. Even in the own country, typical nonverbal “language” can vary by
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2. region, race, or generation. Individuals within a culture also vary every group has
people who are shyer, louder, bolder, or more smiley than the norm. But learning a
few of the basics can open mind to the differences that are possible and alert to
miscommunications. Greater sensitivity to nonverbal differences is a beginning step
toward successful cross-cultural communication in people workplace.
B. Problems
1. What is the definition of Nonverbal Communication?
2. What is cultural difference in Nonverbal Communication?
3. What are the types of Nonverbal Communication?
4. How to make general and specific suggestions or invitations?
C. Purposeof This Paper
1. This paper purpose is to fulfill Cross Cultural Understanding task.
2. The purpose of this paper is to describe about Nonverbal Communication.
3. The purpose of this paper is to know the types of Nonverbal
Communication.
4. The purpose of this paper is to inform the readers about cultural difference
in Nonverbal Communication, the types of Nonverbal Communication,
and make general and specific suggestions or invitations.
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3. CHAPTER II
CONTENT AND DISCUSSION
A. DEFINITION OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal communication is communication without the use of words.
Important as both written and spoken words are to the process of communication,
they certainly don’t represent all aspects of communication. As Galloway has
indicated, nonverbal communication is used extensively whenever human beings
communicate. Nonverbal communication consists not only of facial expressions
and body gestures but also of the way a person uses space and time. Nonverbal
behaviors are the primary vehicles for expressing emotion. Behaviors, better than
words, convey hate, fear, anger, and anxiety. What is difficult to put into words
often finds its way through facial expression, gesture, and movement. When
people communicate nonverbally, signals are used and cues that do not have
precise definitions. With nonverbal communication, a greater tendency exists to
be less conscious of our communication. Because people are less conscious of our
nonverbal communication, it is tend to be more honest while using it. Nonverbal
actions have always been important. When the Greek philosopher Demosthenes
was asked what mattered in speech, he answered, "Action." This answer is also
relevant today. People tend to believe actions even more than words. And they
believe words even more when nonverbal actions closely match them. Support
group leaders and peer visitors can use nonverbal actions in their work with
people who have amputations. Doing so improves communication and
understanding.
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4. B. CULTURAL DIFFERENCE IN NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal communication expresses meaning or feeling without words.
Universal emotions, such as happiness, fear, sadness, are expressed in a similar
nonverbal way throughout the world. There are, however, nonverbal differences
across cultures that may be a source of confusion for foreigners. Let's look at the
way people express sadness. In many cultures, such as the Arab and Iranian
cultures, people express grief openly. They mourn out loud, while people from
other cultures (e.g., China and Japan) are more subdued. In Asian cultures, the
general belief is that it is unacceptable to show emotion openly (whether sadness,
happiness, or pain).
Let's take another example of how cultures differ in their nonverbal
expression of emotion. Feelings of friendship exist everywhere in the world, but
their expression varies. It is acceptable in some countries for men to embrace and
for women to hold hands; in other countries, these displays of affection are
discouraged or prohibited.
As with nonverbal communication, what is considered usual or polite
behavior in one culture may be seen as unusual or impolite in another. One culture
may determine that snapping fingers to call a waiter is appropriate, whereas
another may consider this gesture rude. Some people are often not aware of how
gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and the use of conversational distance
affect communication. To interpret another culture's style of communication, it is
necessary to study the "silent language" of that culture.
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5. C. TYPES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION.
 Gestures and Body Positioning
Some gestures, like making fists or pointing fingers, are seen as forceful
and negative. But a lack of gestures can seem dull and boring. Active and
dynamic speakers or leaders should use natural gestures, but make them bigger.
Take a look at the gesture by asking someone to videotape that has to be
practicing in front of a mirror. Gestures are possible for everyone even those with
arm and hand amputations or an absence of upper limbs. People with upper
extremity amputations can gesture with their prostheses or residual limbs. And
people without arms can gesture with their shoulders or feet. Just as with hand
movements, gestures like these help others understand what it is said. Even a
gesture as simple as pointing can lead to cross-cultural miscommunication.
Pointing with one figure is considered rude in some Asian countries, as is the
common American "come here" gesture. Germans point with their little finger,
whereas Japanese residents point with their whole hand.
This is ring gesture. (The tip of the thumb and the tip of a finger meeting to create
a ring.)
-- In America - "OK"
-- In Japan -"money"
-- In France -"zero or worthless"
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6.  Facial Expressiveness
From childhood on, people know how to “read" facial expressions. These
include smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows, yawns, and sneers. Studies show that
facial expressions convey more meaning than either words or tone of voice. For
instance, people can show happiness when they smile or anger when they clench
their jaws. As a support group leader or public speaker, pay attention not just to
your own facial expressions but also that of the audience. But do not assume that
always be known what facial expressions mean. Instead, ask people if it is
corrected “reading” their facial expressions. All cultures seem to express with the
same basic facial expressions the basic emotions of anger, grief, happiness and
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7. fear. But the acceptability of such expression varies from culture to culture. Many
Asian cultures do not easily express anger or grief on their faces, while
Mediterranean Latin and Arabic cultures permit open expressions of grief.While
some say that facial expressions are identical, meaning attached to them differs.
Majority opinion is that these do have similar meanings world-wide with respect
to smiling, crying, or showing anger, sorrow, or disgust. However, the intensity
varies from culture to culture. Note the following:
Many Asian cultures suppress facial expression as much as possible.
Many Mediterranean (Latino / Arabic) cultures exaggerate grief or sadness
while most American men hide grief or sorrow.
Some see “animated” expressions as a sign of a lack of control.
Too much smiling is viewed in as a sign of shallowness.
Women smile more than men.
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8.  Eye Contact
The important rules concerning eye contact focus on when to look and how
long to look at another person, in addition to who is and who is not to look at the
other person. The appropriate rules vary from one culture to another. Usually,
when sitting opposite a stranger there are two responses that can occur, depending
on the person's culture and the situation. Either there is no eye contact made, or
behaving in a friendly manner by naturally glancing at the other person and
remaining silent, or even exchanging small talk. When speaking in public,
frequently looking at the audience is the normal practice. Communicating with
one another requires proper eye contact, though it doesn't have to be constant. Not
looking at the other person could imply fear, contempt, uneasiness, guilt or
indifference.In USA, eye contact indicates: degree of attention or interest,
influences attitude change or persuasion, regulates interaction, communicates
emotion, defines power and status, and has a central role in managing impressions
of others.
 Western cultures see direct eye to eye contact as positive (advise children
to look a person in the eyes). But within USA, African-Americans use
more eye contact when talking and less when listening with reverse true
for Anglo Americans. This is a possible cause for some sense of unease
between races in US. A prolonged gaze is often seen as a sign of sexual
interest.
 Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact. Believe it shows interest and
helps them understand truthfulness of the other person. (A person who
does not reciprocate is seen as untrustworthy)
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9.  Japan, Africa, Latin American, Caribbean avoid eye contact to show
respect.
 Conversational Distance
Each person has around her or him an invisible bubble of space, which is
called personal space. It expands and contracts depending on factors such as the
relationship to the people nearby, the person’s emotional state or cultural
background, and the activity being performed. Few people are allowed to
penetrate this personal space and then only for a short period of time. There are
four types of conversation distance people keep from each other when they
communicate as shown in:
1. Public distance is used for public speaking.
2. Social distance is for interactions among acquaintances.
3. Personal distance is for interaction among good friends or family
members.
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10. 4. Intimate distance is for embracing, touching, or whispering with intimate
others.
The personal distance standard for Northern Americans is shown in.
According to Hall, different cultures maintain different standards of personal
space when talking to each other. Therefore, what is considered as appropriate
conversation distance differs from one culture to another. In Latin cultures, the
relative conversational distances are smaller, and people tend to be more
comfortable standing close to each other; in Nordic cultures, the conversational
distances are larger, people tend to keep distance from each other. For example, a
Spanish businessman and a Danish businessman were talking in a meeting room.
While the Spanish businessman kept moving closer to the Danish businessman
during the conversation, the Danish man kept backing away from the Spanish
man. When the Danish businessman hit the wall, the Spanish businessman
realized he was invading the comfortable conversation space of the Danish
businessman. Gauging the conversation distance appropriate to different culture
without realizing, just keep a comfortable distance in interacting with others, the
distance in the conversation has several names, namely: "including", "personal
space", "interpersonal distance", "comfort zone", "body bubble". It all shows how
long the conversation was whether or not comfortable in interacting with others.
People surround themselves with a "bubble" of personal space that they
claim as their own, and they tend to become stressed when other people invade
their "bubble." People’s personal space protects us from too much arousal and
helps others feel comfortable when communicate with other people. Hall (1966)
called the study of interpersonal distance proxemics. From observing Americans,
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11. Hall concluded that four interpersonal distances were important in our social
interactions: intimate, personal, social, and public. Intimate distance is from 0 to
1.5 feet. What can be done at this close range? Vision is minimal, and people rely
on the senses of smell and touch. Making love or comforting someone is intimate
activities, usually restricted to private encounters, which can be performed
comfortably at intimate distances. Just tend not to get this close to people that are
not intimated with, and usually try to escape. Personal distance is from about 1.5
feet to around 4 feet. At this distance, touch is minimal (except perhaps when
shaking hands), and vision and hearing become important. This is the distance that
people use to interact with friends. Within this range, normal conversations can
take place easily. People might allow strangers into the outer limits, but reserve
the inner limits strictly for friends. Social distance extends from approximately 4
to 12 feet, and includes the space required for more formal social interactions.
Hearing and vision are the primary senses involved. The social distance is often
utilized in business, for example, in interviewing new applicants for employment
or negotiating for a raise. Public distance includes distances greater than 12 feet.
Hall suggested that after 25 feet, interpersonal interaction is not possible. At this
distance there is little detail involved in communication. A public speaker (actor
or politician) communicates only one way with an audience. Research suggests
that some people feel uncomfortable when some people itself are too close or too
distant from another person (Scott, 1984). How does it is learnt appropriate social
distances? Baxter (1970) suggested that people imitate others in the each culture.
It is reported differences in three cultures in interpersonal spacing, with Mexicans
moving closest, White Americans next, and African Americans staying farthest
apart. Sex differences have been reported in personal spacing, as well, with
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12. women usually feeling more comfortable at closer distances than men (Ashton &
colleagues, 1980). Still other research suggests that interpersonal distance is
influenced by social relationships. Women prefer more distance between
themselves and an opposite-sex stranger than do men. Ashton and colleagues
found that when they asked pairs of friends and strangers to stand at various
distances from each other, both men and women felt more comfortable when an
opposite-sex friend stood close (about 1@fr{1/2} feet) than when a stranger of
either sex stood at that distance. In general, women tend to stand closer when
talking with friends than do men. Understanding these sex differences can help us
behave appropriately in social situations with both men and women.
D. MAKING GENERAL & SPECIFIC SUGGESTION OR INVITATION
As it was seen in the previous section, yes usually means “yes” and no
means “No”, in the United States. However, sometimes yes doesn’t really mean
“yes”, sometimes it means maybe or” I’d like to but I can’t “. In these cases,
people say yes because they want to be friendly and polite. One point here is very
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13. important, though. People use yes when they do not mean yes only in an answer
to a general suggestion or invitation.
When the suggestion and invitation is specific the person needs to be more
direct and more honest. If people say they will call soon, sometimes soon,
sometimes next week, in a couple of weeks, or at another general future time. It is
not certain that they will actually call at that time or perhaps at all. However, if
they say they will call this evening, tomorrow, on Tuesday, next Saturday, or at
another specific time, they truly plan to call, and people can expect them to do so.
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14. CHAPTER III
CLOSING
CONCLUSION
Nonverbal communication does not only play an important role in daily
conversation but also in interpreting process. Nonverbal communication includes
facial expressions, gestures displayed through body language and the physical
distance between communicators. Those nonverbal signals can give clues and
additional information. When communicate with nonverbal cues can be as
important or in some cases even more important that what a person says or words.
Nonverbal communication has a great impact for the listener and the outcome of
the communication. In the end of the day nonverbal communication helps people
to improve interaction with others and knowledge of those signs can be used to
encourage people to talk about their concerns and can lead to a greater sharer
understanding the purpose of communication. Nonverbal communication or some
actions are important to apply in daily communication in order to others or the
partner can believe with the statements, can understand what the meaning of the
speaker and also others can feel enjoy in conversation or communicate with the
main speaker. Nonverbal communication consists of a complete package of
expressions, hand and eye movements, and gestures which should be interpreted
along with speech (verbal communication). So, by using nonverbal
communication people can convey information about their emotional state,
reinforce the relationship between people, provide feedback to the other person
and regulate the flow of communication.
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15. References
http://www.ehow.com/list_6940465_cultural-differences-nonverbal-communication.
html
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq6_nonverbal_communication.htm
http://psychology.about.com/od/nonverbalcommunication/a/nonverbaltypes.htm
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