Name : Ika Uswatun Hasanah

NIM :165300103

Class : C-2016

Nonverbal communication in Indonesia

According to Rudolph F body language is believed to be very important in launching or

inhibiting the effectiveness of communication. Gestures are a form of non-verbal
communication that is done with limb movements. Gestures are taken to replace verbal
communication. With gestures, a person can express a variety of feelings and thoughts,
hostility, to acceptance and affection, and also respect for others. Many people use gestures
and body language in addition to words when speaking. The use of gestures varies in
different cultures, and the amount of body heat that is suitable for use also varies from one
location to another. Gesture is a form of nonverbal communication that forms together with
parts of the body, used without or in combination with verbal communication. Body motion
is how a person expresses various feelings and thoughts.

There is a lot of non verbal communication in Indonesia and learn body language too.
Non-verbal communication is related to quiet communication which means such as gestures,
posture, position, eye contact, facial expressions, and distance of conversation for example in
real life:

1. A smile means that we are happy. In addition, most Indonesians use smiles to greet new
people that is why Indonesian people are easy to get along with people who are new.
People are also good at using smiles to express feelings of happy or sadness emotionally.

2. Thumb . Thumbs has another meaning movement in Indonesia can be said to be a good
job or a response to someone who has done a very good job then it can be said to be
delicious for his food. Then in traditional Javanese thumbs are used to show direction or
show something to people who are older than us.

3. The V sign which has the meaning of interpretation over you in Australia, the palm
facing the speaker for an insulting version. In Indonesia, whether the palm faces the
speaker or the palm faces outward, the signs V means promise and swear.

4. In Indonesia there are also gestures that show gestures to show respect for parents,
almost the same as ojigi in Japan. Usually done by Javanese Indonesians, which is
bending the body with the right hand stretched down and the right hand bent behind the
hip, this gesture shows an apology or excuse me for having walked past someone who is
old. (Indari: 2004)

5. Handshake. The handshake tradition is carried out both in Indonesia and in Japan
symbolizing hospitality and warmth. But in Indonesia sometimes this handshake is done
by clasping both hands. If done by two people who are of the opposite sex, there are
times when their hands do not touch. The position of the hand after the handshake is
 done, also varies. There are some people who then put their hands on their chests, some
are placed on their foreheads, as an expression that this is not only outwardly, but also
from the mind.

6. Kiss hand. The tradition of kissing hands is commonly done as a form of respect from a
child to parents, from a layman to community / religious leaders, from a student to his
teacher. It is unclear where this tradition originated. But there are allegations stemming
from the influence of Arabic culture. In old Europe, the tradition of kissing hands was
also known, but as a man's respect for a woman of equal or higher dignity. In Roman
Catholicism, kissing is also a tradition that is carried out from a people to their leaders
(Pope, Cardinal). In Japan there is no hand kiss culture.

7. Kiss on the cheek. Kiss on the cheek is usually done in Indonesia when two friends or
relatives meet, or as an expression of love for a child to his parents and vice versa.

8. Sungkem. Sungkem tradition is prevalent among Javanese people, but may not be
prevalent in other tribes. Sungkem is done as a sign of the devotion of a child to his
parents, a student to his teacher. Sungkem is usually done if a child is going to get
married, or during the Eid al-Fitr (for Muslims), as an expression of apology to parents,
and ask for his blessing.

9. Eye contact, most people in Indonesia don't like direct eye contact because they will feel
uncomfortable about it. But not all, maybe in Jakarta or someone who has studied
abroad, doesn't really feel that way and often feels good to do that. O.rangers from
oriental culture tend to avoid direct eye contact, whereas people in the Middle East, India
and the United States usually consider eye contact important to show trust and people
who avoid eye contact are considered unreliable.

10. For space, in Indonesia private space is limited. Where families can live together in a
relatively close place, and people are more comfortable sitting close together.

11. People in Indonesia such as family and friends tend to hang out every weekend (Saturday
and Sunday), they usually sit in a cafe or dessert after dinner at a restaurant. It has
become a habit for most Indonesians to catch up with their friends or spend valuable time
with their families on weekends at shopping malls / malls because they have busy work
schedules from Monday to Friday. In addition, in general, Indonesians can be strong for
a serious outlook on life because they are encouraged to be serious and provide high-
quality services during service meetings, compared to Westerners who have a funny
view of life.

Cultural variation in nonverbal communication is very diverse, depending on one's origin

culture. Nonverbal communication reveals the contents of one's heart and mind. In nonverbal
communication culture it is used to pay respect to others or rather to people who are older or
higher in degree, and show how to convey affection for others, for children, and for parents.
In Indonesia there are ways of conveying nonverbal communication in the traditions of
community culture. Because we cannot be separated from social life, every individual
inevitably has to be able to follow the traditions and culture that is around him, to get good
acceptance from the surrounding community.

References:

Verderber, Rudolph F .; Kathleen S. Verderber (2005). "Chapter 4: Communicating through

Nonverbal Behavior". Communicate! (11). Wadsworth

Indari, Novi. Comparison of Indonesian and Japanese cultures. (2009) Paraphrasing Vol. 09
No. September 02