Non-verbal Communication AND ITS Relationship to Culture

Introduction

The term “culture” refers to the complex set of knowledge, language, rules, rituals, habits, lifestyles, attitudes, beliefs, and customs that connect and give a universal identity to a particular group of people at a specific point in time.

The relationship between communication and culture is a very complex and intimate one. First, cultures are created through communication; that is, communication is the means of human interaction through which cultural characteristics— whether customs, roles, rules, rituals, laws, or other patterns—are shaped and shared.

Non-verbal communication means conveying or expressing feelings, thoughts or a person’s intention without using words. Universal emotions, such as happiness, fear, and sadness, are expressed in a similar non-verbal way throughout the world. There are, however, nonverbal differences across cultures that may be a cause of confusion for foreigners who come from different backgrounds and cultures.

Culture and Touch

Touches that can be defined as communication include handshakes, holding hands, kissing, back slapping, high fives, a pat on the shoulder, and brushing arms. These behaviors are known as “adapters” or “tells” and may convey messages that expose the intentions or feelings of the communicator. The meaning conveyed from touch is highly reliant on the situation, the relationship between the communicators, and the manner of touch. Touching is treated differently from one country to another and socially acceptable levels of touching vary from one culture to another (Remland, 2009). According to some anthropologists, cultures can be categorized as high contact or low contact, depending on which senses a particular culture stresses.

For example, in Malaysia, it is considered rude to touch anyone, especially a child, on the top of the head as it is considered as the home of the soul. It is also considered disrespectful and is socially unaccepted to touch anyone of the opposite sex. Affection is also not shown in public. On the contrary, in Britain or America, touching or patting someone’s heads means giving comfort, consolation or encouragement between close friends. In India, Sri Lanka and Thailand, such an act would be shocking and offensive, as the head is believed to be the seat of the soul.

Australians, the British and Americans tend not to touch each other in normal conversation. Malaysians are also somewhat similar where they tend or even avoid from touching one another; be it those of the same or opposite sex. In Malaysia, touching can be considered as sexually harassing the person being communicated with and serious actions can be taken against the one who touches. On the other hand, African, Mediterranean, Arab, Russian and South American cultures are high-contact. It is common for Latino friends to kiss each other on the cheek to say hello, and to touch or grab the arm or hand of their friend while talking. It is common for Latinos to hug, to shake hands and touch the arm, or to place a hand on the other’s shoulder while communicating.