Week 7 Question 2

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?

Working in a corporate environment, there are many international points of contact and people I speak with from other countries. One of the biggest non-verbal messages that comes to mind is more of an action that most American's don't think about. When sitting down, it is common for people to cross their legs. An example is when someone crosses their legs but has their foot resting on their knee exposing the sole of their shoe.

Normally this is not a representation of anything outside of resting or relaxing.But in Middle Eastern cultures, if you sat that way exposing the bottom of your shoe, it is a sign of disrespect. This goes to show that simple actions in one culture may mean something completely different in another. If someone did this with no ill intent, the consequences and relationships between people still may begin to fall.

In different regions of this country and even state, you do find differences in how people act or their mannerisms. It's hard for me right now to pick out a particular incident or an example but these different nonverbal messages are a reflection of the culture within that town, region, state or location. It stems from how people were raised and what values a particular location emphasize.