Worst Faux Pas (Chris Weller) - In Brazil, however it is
1. Argentina - Don’t reject the mate. (Demonstration of confidence) considered a rude gesture,
2. Australia - Do not litter, spit or smoke in prohibited zones. equivalent to the one
(Cleanliness) finger salute.
3. China - Don’t enter or exit a room before people of older 2. HORN
generations. (Respect)  In USA, this gesture is
4. France - Don’t engage the conversation without greeting. (Rude) adopted by rockers as a
5. Germany - Don’t do the Nazi salute. (Crime) sign of approval, and in
6. Hong Kong - Refer to Hong Kong people as Hong Kongers [and essence, to rock on.
not Chinese]. (Self-identity)  Argentina, Brazil,
7. Indonesia - Do not use your left hand. (Toilet activities) Columbia, Cuba, Spain,
8. Kenya - Only refer to someone by their first name if they Italy and Portugal, to make
introduce themselves as such. (Mr, Ms, Dr w/ Last name or this sign at someone is to
Madam/Sir) tell them that their spouse
9. Malaysia - Do not pound your fist into your hand. is cheating on them.
(Obscenity/Middle finger in US) 3. Fingers All Together
10. Nepal - Don’t hand shake hands when meeting people. (Palms  In Italy, this gesture means
together/Namaste) "what is this?" or "what
11. Netherlands - Do not beat around the bush in order to convey do you want?"
anything. (Dutch are very direct)  But in Democratic
12. New Zealand - Haka is a war-cry performed before a war or Republic of Congo, this
nowadays, a rugby match. Do not make fun of it. (New Zealand gesture is a sign for a
culture) small amount of
13. Russia - Don’t give an even number of flowers as a gift. (Dead something.
receives flower in even)  In Turkey however, it
14. Singapore - Don’t sit a table if you see a packet of tissue paper indicates that something is
there. (Reserved table) beautiful or well, and in
15. Thailand - Do not put your feet on the table or use them to point Egypt, its a motion to
or pick up something, especially bank notes or coins. (Feet: least, show you'll only be a
Head: most sacred) minute.
16. United Arab Emirates - During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or 4. Thumbs Up
smoking in public places during daylight is considered a public  In most countries, this
offense and is punishable by law. (Act according to the religious gesture is a sign of
law) approval.
17. USA - You absolutely should not leave a restaurant or bar without  In some other countries
leaving a tip. (Servers rely on tips not on wages, 15-20%) however, such as Iran, Iraq
or Afghanistan, this
Definitions of Hand Gestures around the world. gesture is seen as an "up
1. OKAY yours"
- In Australia, UK, Canada, US- In most of the English speaking 5. Crossed Fingers
world, this hand gesture means that everything is fine, great, okay  In the UK, Australia, USA
or perfect. and Canada, this gesture of
crossing one's fingers is to
wish for good luck.
 This gesture is seen as
lewd in Vietnam because
crossed fingers are said to
resemble female genitals.
6. V Sign
 In USA, this is a harmless
backwards sign for peace.
 In the UK, Australia,
Ireland and New Zealand
this sign is seen as rude
and frequently used to
signify contempt or
defiance towards
authority.
7. Come Here
 In UK, Australia, USA
and Canada, this gesture is
used to motion somebody
to come over.
 But in the Philippines, this
gesture is considered
highly offensive when
motioned to another
person because this
gesture is reserved for
dogs.
8. Point
 In European countries like
Belgium, the Netherlands,
Germany and Australia,
this is considered as a
gesture for the number 2.
 In China however, it is a
gesture for the number 8,
and Italy, this hand gesture
is used to indicate that
something is not good.
9. Downwards Palm Wave
 In the UK, Australia, USA
and Canada, this gesture
indicates “go away" it is
usually used to shoo
somebody off.
 But in Philippines,
Vietnam, India and Ghana,
this gesture indicates
"come here" because
having an upwards palm is
considered rude in these
countries, hence the
downward palm approach.
10. The Chin Flick
 In France, Belgium and
Tunisia, the chin flick is
used to express supreme
disinterest, or to tell
somebody to get lost, and
in Italy, it is used to
express "I dont give a
damn."
11. The Fist and Elbow
 In Mexico and south
Americans, this gesture is
known as tacano and it
means stingy, it illustrates
that the recipient rarely
extends their arm to pay
the bills.
 In Austria and Germany,
this gesture indicates that
the recipient is an idiot,
and their brain is in their
elbow.
12. Forehead Fist
 In Brazil, this gesture is
most effective with
multiple grunts and it is
done to indicate stupidity.
13. The Thumb in a Fist
 In Australia, UK and
Canda, the thumb in a fist
is a common playful
 gesture used by adults towards children, pretending to have stolen  Students should be able to During the interview  For block style, begin all
a child's nose. interpret and critique these  Arrival and set up. Look lines at the left margin.
 In Turkey however, this is seen as aggressive and rude. communications. nice and think about being  Leave side margins of 1 to
14. Outward Hand your “most polite” self. 1 ½ inches depending on
 In Greece, Africa and Pakistan, this gesture is seen as insulting or Interpreting tables and graphs Ask politely to set up your the length of the letter.
confrontational, as this gesture evolved from the traditional Study the table entitled ‘The recorder.  Single-space the body and
practice of rubbing dirt, faeces por ashes into the faces of convicts. changing face of UK business  Conduct the interview. double-space between
15. Awkward Turtle schools’ and note down your Begin asking questions paragraphs.
 In USA, this is used as a public acknowledgement that one's gaffe answers to the following questions. you have prepared. Ask  Bulleted items may appear
has caused social embarrassment. And in American sign language, 1. Where does the table come open-ended questions. flush left or indented.
this gesture means "platypus" from? When was it  Take notes.
prepared? Salutation
------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Where does the data come After the interview  When writing to
COMMUNICATION FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES from? Does its source tell  Write follow-up notes in individuals, always use
us anything? journal. their names and titles, if
Best Practices in Communication for Various Purposes 3. On the left-hand side of  Label your tapes or disks. appropriate.
1. Develop your listening skills. the table is a list of  Transcribe  When writing to a personal
2. Pay attention to non-verbal messages. headings referring to  Analyze your findings. friend or close business
3. Use positive language. proportions. What could  Write a thank-you note associate, use the first
4. Think before you speak. make this easier to follow? name.
5. Ask your teachers, mentors and others what your strongest or Using Survey Questionnaires  Address letters to female
weakest communication skills are. Writing Business Letters associates as Ms. Instead
 A business letter needs to of Miss or Mrs.
Why do we communicate for various purposes? Conducting Interviews be short.
1. to obtain information Before the interview  State your point or make Complimentary Close
2. to provide and disseminate information  Who and what. Decide on your request within a few Here are some personal closings:
3. to persuade your subject matter then brief paragraphs.  Sincerely, Sincerely yours,
find out who might know  Keep the sentences short Cordially,
Communicate for various purposes through: about this subject. and avoid using
1. Interpreting tables and graphs  Background research. You uncommon words. For a more formal closing, use one
2. Conducting interviews should have some basic  The language of a business of these:
3. Writing business letters knowledge about the letter needs to be clear.  Yours truly, Very truly
4. Speech delivery subject.  Remember to use polite yours,
 When and where. You language and to keep your
(1) Communicate to Obtain Information need to make an tone friendly by using Format of a Letter of Inquiry
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating scientific information develop appointment with the "please" and "thank you." 1. In the first paragraph,
scientifically literate citizens. interviewee. identify yourself and, if
 Students should be able to interpret scientific discourse, texts,  Supplies. Tape recorder or How to write a letter of inquiry appropriate, your position,
tables, diagrams, graphs, and mathematical expressions. video camera, journal for Tips for Formatting Letters and your institution or
 Students should be able to recognize and read different types of your notes, pen or pencil,  Start the date 2 inches firm.
scientific communications, including scientific literature and media and the list of questions. from the top or 1 blank 2. In the second paragraph,
reports of science. line below the letterhead. briefly explain why you
 are writing and how you will use the requested information. Offer a) what has been
to keep the response confidential if such an offer seems reasonable. accomplished,
3. List the specific information you need. You can phrase your b) the current state of
requests as questions or as a list of specific items of information. In affairs,
either case, make each item clear and discrete. c) compilation of
4. Conclude your letter by offering your reader some incentive for information culled from       Language Registers
responding.    different sources
d) prediction of what is to
How to write a response letter come
Writing plan for information replies 2. Instructions. Examples of
1. Subject line: Identify previous correspondence or refer to the main these include cooking
idea. demonstrations, disaster
2. Opening: Deliver the most important information first. preparedness, operating an
3. Body: Arrange information logically, explain and clarify it, electronic gadget or
provide additional information if appropriate, and build goodwill. device.
4. Closing: End pleasantly.
Inspirational speech - this attempts
(2) Communication to Provide and Disseminate Information mainly to inspire the listeners and
This is a channel of sending the information to the receiving end – a make them more motivated and
relationship between a sender and receiver of information. enthusiastic about life.
Dissemination is the release of information from a sender to a user 1. Eulogy
through various media outlet. 2. Commemorative speeches
1. Opening remarks
(3) Communication to Persuade 2. Introduction of
Persuasion is an umbrella term of influence. It can attempt to influence a guest speaker
person’s beliefs, attitudes, intentions, motivations, or behaviors. 3. Keynote address
 Systematic persuasion – is the process through which attitudes or
beliefs are leveraged by appeals to logic and reason. Speech to entertain - his is usually
 Heuristic persuasion – is the process through which attitudes or delivered to amuse listeners and
beliefs are leveraged by appeals to habit or emotion. divert their attention from the
o consensus heuristic usual daily stress or problems they
o expert heuristic face. This is done by telling light-
o length of the message hearted, funny stories.
Persuasive Speech - this is used by
Types of Speeches the speaker to influence the
Informative Speech - this aims to inform by giving instructions, thinking, beliefs, or actions of the
explanations, or demonstrations. A good informative speech is one that audience. The speaker can do this
really shares or imparts new knowledge to the audience. by appealing to logic and
appealing to emotions.
Examples of informative speech: 1. Debates
1. Reports. These usually cover 2. Political campaign talks
3. Appeals for donations & judge, teacher & student,
4. Making critical counselor & client
comments/speeches in
rallies 4. Casual Register - this is
informal language used by peers
and friends.  Slang, vulgarities and
colloquialisms are normal. This is
1. Static Register - this style of “group” language. One must be a
communications RARELY or member to engage in this register.
NEVER changes. It is “frozen” in (e.g. buddies, teammates, chats and
time and content. emails, and blogs, and letters to
e.g. the Pledge of Allegiance, the friends.)
Lord’s Prayer, the Preamble to the
US Constitution, a bibliographic 5. Intimate Register - this
reference, laws communication is private. It is
reserved for close family members
2. Formal Register - this language or intimate people.
is used in formal settings and is e.g. husband & wife, boyfriend &
one-way in nature. This use of girlfriend, siblings, parent &
language usually follows a children.
commonly accepted format. It is
usually impersonal and formal. A
common format for this register is
speeches.
e.g. sermons, rhetorical statements
and questions, speeches,
pronouncements made by judges,
announcements
3. Consultative Register - this is a
standard form of communications.
Users engage in a mutually
accepted structure of
communications. It is formal and
societal expectations accompany
the users of this speech. It is
professional discourse.
e.g. when strangers meet,
communications between a
superior and a subordinate, doctor
& patient, lawyer & client, lawyer