2). Although nonverbal messages are more universal than verbal messages, non verbals 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?
It is a very true statement to say that nonverbal messages do not carry the same meanings in all cultures. According to chapter five pg 111 it shows that something as simple as a smile can convey different things in different cultures. For the most part a smile is a sign of happiness but it can also be disrespectful or a sign of embarrassment.
My dad used to work for a moving company called North American Van lines and it was his job to go to appointments at peoples homes and give them an estimate of how much it would cost to move their stuff. Because my dad was in all different kinds of peoples homes he became aware of cultural differences. For example in an Asian persons home he would always take off his shoes at the door as sign of respect. Understanding cultural differences was important for my father in order to gain clients and make them all feel like he respected them and truly cared about them.
I have had the pleasure of doing some traveling and I have also had many friends of different ethnicities then my own. When I was in Italy it was the polite way to greet people by kissing them on both cheeks. In America this affectionate greeting would probably make a lot of people feel uncomfortable. Also in many places people don't shake hands with everyone they meet like we do in the states. I spent most of the summer and London and I was surprised at how the men all showed so much chivalry. I never had to open a door or pull out a seat for myself once.
Everywhere you go in the world customs and nonverbal communication is a little different that is why it is so easy to misinterpret them.
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That's awesome that there is still some sort of chivalry in the world! Maybe I should look into moving to Europe! In my blog I also discussed different greetings, such as kissing on both cheeks. I think it is funny how Americans have a sort of bubble protecting them, and if someone passes the line of that bubble then they freak out. In other countries people are so joyful that they practically tackle their friends while saying hello. It is funny how much a society detrmines what is acceptable and what is not. Many customs that we don't even think twice about are viewed as strange in other countries. By being aware of such differences, we may be able to avoid some negative situations cause by miscommunication.
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