Cultural Proxemics
o
o
Americans use a firm, solid grip;
Middle Easterners and Asians prefer a gentle
grip a firm grip to them suggests unnecessary
aggressiveness
HAND SHAKE
o
o
Americans are taught to look directly
Japanese and Koreans are taught to avoid
direct eye contact, direct eye contact to them is
considered a weakness, and may indicate
sexual overtones
EYE
CONTACT
o
o
o
o
For Americans, forming a circle with thumb and
forefinger to signal O.K.
Means "zero" or worthless in France
Means money in Japan
Means calling someone a very bad name in
Germany.
O.K.
GESTURE
o
NODDING YES
OR NO
o
o
PUTTING FEET ON
TABLE
For Americans, up and down means yes, side
to side means no
in Bulgaria, the nods ar