PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER

2
Local and Global Communication in
Multicultural Settings
 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Lesson I

Introduction

Modes of Communication
Words and body language are used in verbal and non-verbal
communication. They make a significant impact in communication. Words
and body language vary from region to region and from one country to
another country. This makes intercultural communication interesting.

Achieve!

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. discern and use culturally appropriate words, greetings,

expressions and body language in an intercultural setting.

2. manifest sensitivity and intercultural awareness in the

communication of ideas.

Conquer!

Words, Greetings, and Expressions Used in Intercultural

Communication
Words, greetings and expressions are used based on culture and
context. When greeting people, there are certain rules of behavior and
etiquette that need to be observed. Developing a good relationship in a
multicultural setting is determined on how one behaves or acts in their first
encounter. Hugs, kiss and handshake are the usual form of greetings in
almost all parts of the world. However, different countries differ on how
they do these.

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Body Language Used in Intercultural Communication

The language spoken by the body in terms of facial expressions,
hand gestures, postures and other body movements is known as body
language. Body language expresses a person’s inner thoughts and feelings.
It is one way of expressing one’s emotion. Examples of these are the
following: frowning may mean one is worried or displeased and turning
one’s back and moving away may imply avoidance.

Body language covers a wide variation of gestures, body positions

and even the distance that we consider safe or acceptable when one is
involved in a communication process. Hand signals, finger signals, hand
positioning and making faces are also considered as body language used in
non-verbal communication. In our written communication nowadays, we
also use emotional icons (emoticons). We communicate primarily
nonverbally and verbally.

The following are examples of body language used in multicultural settings:

a. Eye contact. Eye contact may have different meaning to other

cultures. Some Muslim countries have laws about not to have eye
contact between opposite genders.

b. Hand signals. Hand signals can be misinterpreted in some parts of the

world.

 Shaking hands. The most common greeting around the world is

a handshake. Shaking hands can be a bit confusing as there are a
number of variations such as handshakes used on meeting,
parting and expressing gratitude. Generally, in business one is
told to have a firm and steady grip when shaking hands.
However, it is not always wise, depending on where in the world
you are travelling. For instance, in some countries and cultures,
firm handshakes are seen as rude and a sign of aggression. In
places such as China, the Middle East, North, Southern and West
Africa and South America, handshakes are usually lighter and
last much longer than in Western countries.

 A-OK sign. The OK sign is not offensive everywhere, however,

it is not OK to use it in many parts of the world. In Brazil,
Germany and Russia, the OK sign is a very offensive gesture
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because it is used to depict a private body orifice. The OK sign

in the United States actually means “okay”, however, in Japan
it means money and it signifies “zero” in France.

 Thumbs-Up. The thumbs-up gesture is commonly used in many

cultures to signify a “job well done”. However, if you are in
Australia, Greece or in the Middle East, this gesture would mean
“Up yours” or “Sit on this”. The thumbs up gesture can also
create miscommunication when it comes to counting using ones’
fingers. In Germany and Hungary, the upright thumb is used to
represent the number 1, and number 5 in Japan.

 Peace sign (V sign). This gesture was made popular by Winston

Churchill during the World War II which means peace or victory.
In other countries like Australia, United Kingdom and
South Africa, if you make the “peace sign” with your palm
facing inward, this means “Up yours”.

 Pointing with the index finger. Simply pointing with the index
finger at something or someone is offensive in many cultures. It
is a very rude thing to do in China, Japan, Indonesia, Latin
America and many other countries. In Europe, this gesture is
considered as impolite. In many African countries, the index
finger is used ONLY for pointing at inanimate objects but never
at people. For them, it is better to point at something or someone
with an open hand with all your fingers together.

 Curling the index finger (dog call). Curling the index finger
with the palm facing up is a common gesture that people in the
US use to tell someone to come closer. It is mostly seen to be
carried out by a tempting woman to her man. However, it is
considered a rude gesture in Slovakia, China, East Asia,
Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines. This gesture is used only
to call dogs in many Asian countries. In Singapore, this
gesture signifies death.

c. Nodding the head. Nodding the head generally means agreement

or approval. For the Bulgarians, they have an unusual manner of
saying yes and no. Nodding up and down signifies a negative.

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d. Facial Expressions. Facial expressions convey a range of

emotions. It can explain a lot about what is going on in the mind.
When we receive bad news, there is a series of physical signals,
reactions happening in our bodies; our lips compress, we clench
our jaws, nervously rub our necks, we squint and lower our chin.

Try!

I. Who am I? Cross-cultural Guessing Game. Read the following

descriptions and discuss with a partner to guess which country you
think each represents.

1. When I meet you, I may bow. You may ask my age, but I will be
embarrassed if you ask me about my religion, and, as a result of my
embarrassment, I may laugh. I will pause for perhaps 20 seconds
before answering, allowing time for a shared communication without
words. If you become uncomfortable with my silence and say “I’m
sorry,” I will apologize to show my wish to cooperate, and will
probably not look you in the eye when I answer. However, I would
not complain to tell you that your question about my religion is
considered impolite. I am from __________________________.

2. My rapidly-growing country is ethnically diverse, with as many as 20

major languages being spoken, along with many local dialects. In this
constitutional monarchy, most people live in rural areas, and 80% of
the people are farmers. When I greet you, I will put the palms of my
hands together in front of my chest or chin or I may raise my right
hand in a salute (salaam), and will always call a professor by title.
Things I would never do: touch another’s head, wink at you, point the
bottom of my foot at someone, eat with my left hand. I am from
_________________________________________________.
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3. When people in my country greet, we say “hello” or “good afternoon” in English and are
cheerful and courteous to show respect; neglecting to greet someone is a sign of disrespect.
With more than 250 ethnic groups, we have more than 250 languages, thus English is our
official language, though less than 50% of people speak English. We do not pass things with
our left hand alone, nor should we show the bottom of our foot to someone; the most vulgar
gesture to me, however, would be to push the palm of the hand forward with the fingers
spread. We visit friends and relatives frequently, and welcome unannounced guests. If we
wish our children to leave the room while guests are visiting, we often wink at them. I am
from ______________________________________.

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
II. Watch the video attached to this lesson. Summarize it in a tabular presentation below.

Symbol/Gesture/Expression Countries Meaning