Communication is an action that every person uses, every minute of everyday for their entire lifetime. It allows us to interpret others feelings, emotions and understand their needs. While the majority of our communication comes in the form of language, some of the most important parts come from the body it self, your posture, hand movements, eye location and your bodies general position all give meaning and depth to what you're saying.
To people of the same culture/background non-verbal communication comes naturally, when communicating to a person of the same culture/background. As both parties understand what is acceptable for non-verbal communication. When you mix the cultures of the people trying to communicate, there may be inconsistencies in the way either party acts, unknowingly, this can be disrespectful, rude or even offensive to the other party, which may lead to a total breakdown of communication. These are the more serious side effects of poor non-verbal/verbal intercultural communication, the less serious repercussions are often people looking confused or disapproving of what you're trying to express. Many people will be accepting of any miscommunication non-verbally, by the other party. If both parties have experienced each others culture then they are more informed and experienced with non-verbal communication, allowing them to act accordingly to the other party.
For example, in indigenous Australian, and Japanese cultures it is not found as awkward to have a silence in the middle of a conversation, where as in western culture, it is. Talking without an ample length of time can be seen as rude and can change the nature of the conversation for the worst.
While these issues with non-verbal communication between cultures maybe make individuals feel uncomfortable or insulted, there is no immediate danger. When communicating between organizations, governments and businesses this becomes of the up-most importance, to show respect to the other parties culture and beliefs as there could be major complications if one party was too disrespect the other by accident.
To people of the same culture/background non-verbal communication comes naturally, when communicating to a person of the same culture/background. As both parties understand what is acceptable for non-verbal communication. When you mix the cultures of the people trying to communicate, there may be inconsistencies in the way either party acts, unknowingly, this can be disrespectful, rude or even offensive to the other party, which may lead to a total breakdown of communication. These are the more serious side effects of poor non-verbal/verbal intercultural communication, the less serious repercussions are often people looking confused or disapproving of what you're trying to express. Many people will be accepting of any miscommunication non-verbally, by the other party. If both parties have experienced each others culture then they are more informed and experienced with non-verbal communication, allowing them to act accordingly to the other party.
For example, in indigenous Australian, and Japanese cultures it is not found as awkward to have a silence in the middle of a conversation, where as in western culture, it is. Talking without an ample length of time can be seen as rude and can change the nature of the conversation for the worst.
While these issues with non-verbal communication between cultures maybe make individuals feel uncomfortable or insulted, there is no immediate danger. When communicating between organizations, governments and businesses this becomes of the up-most importance, to show respect to the other parties culture and beliefs as there could be major complications if one party was too disrespect the other by accident.
