The topic for chapter 3 is gender differences in communication, which we will talk about later. On a similar note, let's talk about body language. One way people communicate is through body language (gestures, eye contact, how close we stand when speaking to someone, etc.). After traveling to a number of different countries, I'd say that understanding a new culture's body language can sometimes be more important than learning the language itself (only sometimes!).
Based on your experience here in the U.S., how do the ways people use body language in your country differ from the body language you observe and experience here in the U.S.? Give some specific examples/personal experiences to illustrate the differences.
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Although I haven't gone back to my country for seven years, I do remember clearly that people uses similar gestures yet showing quite different meaning. In the states, I have met so many people like to wink their eyes to soften what they just said since I came here but it would be considered as flirting or not appropriate at the place I came from. And, In my country, I would flip a palm-down hand back and forth to have somebody to come closer while people uses a palm-up hand and pointing their index fingers outward then inward to show the same thing. However, we would use the same gesture to have our pets to come closer thus it would be considered not respectful to call someone that way. That’s the most different parts I can picture in my coconut.
ReplyDeleteI came here three weeks ago, so I do not much feel the difference between how American peole speak and how Japanese people speak as yet. However, it seems to me that American tone of voice differs from Japanese one. American people tend to put forward their feelings, while Japanese people are apt to understate their intentions. Therefore, American people speak more exaggeratedly than Japanese people, I think.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have so much gestures in Japan. Therefore, I was suprised that people in U.S. express their emotion and explanation with their gestures so much. I often see American people talk using gestures. They move hands up, down or shaking. Although we don't have a habit of using
ReplyDeletemany various kinds of gestures in conversation, an exaple of Japanese body language is the bow. The bow means respect. All of Japanese bow in greeting especially when meeting older person. Anyway, Japanese have some body languages, but American use so much more gestures in conversation than Japanese do.
Korea people usually don't use gestures as much as American. Besides, i've just lived in America for 4 months. Therefore, I don't know their gestures exactly. However, I think that American usually uses gestures during a conversation. So, I can understand thier mean from gesture even though I don't listen their talking.
ReplyDeleteI think Americans often make more eye contact with others than Japanese.I mean,a lot of Japanese are not good at stare other's eye when they talk because of shy.When I talked to people who live in the US,I was really surprised that they always made eye contact and I was embarrassed a little, but I realized eye contact helps me to understand what others say. Therefore,one of the difference between Japanese and American when they use body language is frequency of eye contact.
ReplyDeleteIn my country Japan, they usually don't use body lunguage because japanese people don't active like American people.when I came to America, most of American people use body lunguage.Therefore, I thought American peoeple good at expression more than Japanese people.Most of Japanese people are shy, so they're not good at show someone to own's feel.
ReplyDeleteIn conclusion, I think Japanese people have to try doing body language like American people.
Body language is different fro, country to country. In Saudi Arabia, we used body language but not always. We can say that women used body language more than men. For example, when men are talking they used their hand. On the other hand, women always used their body langauge in every thing.
ReplyDeleteAmerican people tend to use gesture in their speech to make sure what they want to say. On the other hand, Korean people think about using gesture in conversation is rude. They think a gesture in speaking is not necessary and make the other speaker cofused.In my opinion, if we don't have the special skill in speaking and make a logical speech, we would be better to use gesture in conversation.
ReplyDeleteFrom my opinion, the body language here in the U.S and back home are quite the same. But there is some difference back home it`s ok to walk with friend holding his hand but here in the U.S the would say that`s gay and we don`t have those kind of thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIn my culture, we use the body language a lot. Unlike the U.S, we use different body language. For example, if my father asked me for something to do, and I indicated my forefinger at my nose, that means I am going to do it and don't care about something. Actually, it is respectful way to do if any one required something from you. Also, When men talk to unknown women, they low their head down, and don't look at them, and they stand far a way from women. From my experience, body language in the U.S is completely different from my country due to the differnt culture.
ReplyDeleteIn my country, we don't use gestures as much as American people. I've stayed here only 4weeks,but I use gestures almost everyday.For example,I talk with my roommate everyday. Her English speed is natural,so I can't understand her meaning sometimes.However,I can understand her talking because she has many facial expressions and gestures. These things are so helpful for me. I think Japanese people should express their feelings more openly like American people with gestures and facial expressions.
ReplyDeleteJapanese do not use body language a lot, but American people use it a lot in their conversation to others. For example, when they get angry, they throw up their arms. I think they are more emotional than Japanese because Japanese do not like to show their feeling easyly.
ReplyDeleteIn the US., American people usually use the body language when they talk to other people. On the other hand, in thailand they do not use the body language much, when they are talking with someone because it is kind of impolite. Especially, when you talk with a people who are older than you, you should stay clam and do not use the body language much because it may make you look a litter bit aggrassive.
ReplyDeleteI can say that american usually use body language than Thai people do. From my first experience in U.S restaurant, most of waitress and waiter act differently, which they use their body and face to make me comfortable when I order my food. Moreover, when I went to the post office, the postmen usually speak and express their emotion through their face and other parts of body. Therefore, all of these things are much more different than I was in Thailand. However, to use body language is a good thing to help me know and understand how they feel and think more.
ReplyDeleteBody language in the US is away different from back home. For example, it's ok for men to kiss each other on their cheeks but here in America it's unacceptable to kiss someone on his cheek and also as Abdullah said holding someone's hand is not gay as it is in America. Another example, we steer at someone and then suddenly close our eyes just a second when we want him to stop talking so Americans don't use it. So body language is a big different back home from America.
ReplyDeletethe differences in body language between U.S. and Tajikistan quite same. But there is little difference. in my culture body language is more common rather that in U.S. And we have more body contact rather than U.S. does. For example, when we shake each others' hand we put our left hand on our chest to show respect to that person. Another example is when we meet our relatives such as uncles we kiss them on cheek. It would look weird if you do that in U.S. people would get you wrong.
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