Understanding Diversity: NonVerbal Styles

1
Understanding Diversity Non-Verbal Styles

• Assumption America is a high verbal, low context
  environment.
• BUT understanding non-verbal behavior in the
  workplace is an important part of understanding
  diversity.

2
Low vs High Context

• Low context uses few nonverbal cues
• High context use lots of nonverbal cues

3
Low vs High Context, contd

• Low context uses explicit language, ignores
  common history
• High context uses vague descriptions and depends
  on common history

4
Types of nonverbal behavior

• Facial expression
• Silence
• Eye contact
• Touch
• Posture

5
Facial Expression

• Smiling is common in most Western cultures and
  signifies happiness. Its automatic.
• In Japan, the smile may be a sign of nervousness
  or a way of saying no.
• In Samoa, raised eyebrows mean yes.
• In Western cultures, a head nod is yes.

6
Silence

• Silence may signal an invitation for the other
  person to speak
• It may indicate that the listener is thinking
• It may indicate agreement or disagreement.

7
Silence, contd

• In Native American tribes, silence is a mark of
  respect.
• Tony Hillerman writes mysteries using a Native
  American detective and incorporates different
  cultural aspects

8
Eye Contact Stare

• A stare is prolonged direct eye contact.
• It generally shows defiance, or a challenge.
• It is considered rude in most Western cultures.

9
Eye Contact Direct

• Western culture favors direct eye contact
• Invitation to conversation (or more)
• Man to woman indication of interest
• Woman to man invitation to meet
• Downcast eyes in women show modesty in many
  cultures.

10
Touching

• Touch can be friendly or aggressive
• Touch can be unwelcome, which becomes sexual
  harassment in the workplace
• Touch is an ambiguous situation and requires
  caution until you learn the rules.

11
Posture and Gestures

• Crossed arms in women generally means they are
  cold
• Crossed arms in men often is an aggressive or
  defiant stance
• Hand gestures can be cultural (Italian) or merely
  personal expression

12
Personal Space

• Personal space in the USA is approx 4 feet to 12
  feet.
• Intimate space is within 4 feet.
• Impersonal space is beyond 12 feet used for
  public speaking, for example.

13
Summary

• Nonverbal behavior is expressive and often
  conveys more than words
• Being alert to nonverbal behavior is important
  for understanding diversity
• Members of a majority group can benefit from
  understanding other cultural norms