Japanese Body Language And Gestures

Communicating with a Japanese can be very frustrating at times. If the rapport hasnt been developed, they tend to communicate in brief, but meaningful sentences, and a lot of times can be very ambiguous in their answers or wants. Silence is more integrated in their customs as a form of communication than compared to Western languages. Also, the Japanese tend to be passive resistance. Therefore, it is very important that you understand the Japanese body language. Coupling the knowledge of the Japanese body language with verbal communication will help avoid misunderstandings between you and your Japanese conversationalist.

Eye Contact

Ever notice when making eye contact with a Japanese individual, the individual responds by looking away? Making eye contact is considered rude, leads to uncomfortableness, and can be construed as a sign of aggression. When speaking to or approaching a Japanese individual, make very brief eye contact to signal the individual, but then maintain appropriate eye level, such as the individuals neck.

Gestures

A list of the common and not-so-common body gestures used by the Japanese. Learn these to avoid any confusion and awkward looks when communicating with your Japanese coworker, friend, or stranger!

Angry
Index finders pointing out from head, like horns.

Asking for forgiveness; Favor, Thanking for a meal

Single clapping of the hands in front of the face.

Awkward; Embarassed
Open-hand behind the head.

European Gestures

Europeans' gestures are different from ours. By Rick Steves

Related: Leaping over the Language Barrier Related: European Numbers and Stumblers Related: Tips for Creative Communication

In Europe, while some gestures can help you communicate, others can contribute to the language barrier. For example, if you count with your fingers, start with your thumb, not your index finger (if you hold up your index finger, you'll probably get two of something). If you make a "peace" sign to indicate the number two, you may get three or a punch in the nose in parts of Britain, where it's an obscene gesture. The "thumbs up" sign popular in the United States is used widely in France and Germany to say "OK" (it also represents the number one when counting throughout Europe). The "V for victory" sign is used in most of Europe as in the United States. (But beware making the V with your palm toward you is the rudest of gestures in Britain.) Some cultures also indicate "yes" and "no" differently: In Turkey, they shake their heads as Americans do, but someone may also signal "no" by tilting their head back. In Bulgaria and Albania, "OK" is indicated by happily shaking your head left and right as if you were signaling "no" in the US. Here are a few more common European gestures, their meanings, and where you're likely to see them. Fingertips Kiss: Gently bring the fingers and thumb of your right hand together, raise to your lips, kiss lightly, and joyfully toss your fingers and thumb into the air. This gesture is used commonly in France, Spain, Greece, and Germany as a form of praise. It can mean sexy, delicious, divine, or wonderful. Be careful tourists look silly when they overemphasize this subtle action. Hand Purse: Straighten the fingers and thumb of one hand, bringing them all together and making an upward point about a foot in front of your face. Your hand can be held still or moved a little up and down at the wrist. This is a common and very Italian gesture for a query. It is used to say "What do you want?" or "What are you doing?" or "What is it?" or "What's new?" It can also be used as an insult

to say "You fool." The hand purse can also mean "fear" (France), "a lot" (Spain), and "good" (Greece and Turkey). Hand Shake: "Expensive" is often indicated by shaking your hand and sucking in like you just burned yourself. Cheek Screw: Make a fist, stick out your index finger, and (without piercing the skin) screw it into your cheek. The cheek screw is used widely and almost exclusively in Italy to mean good, lovely, beautiful. Many Italians also use it to mean clever. But be careful: In southern Spain, the cheek screw is used to call a man effeminate. Eyelid Pull: Place your extended forefinger below the center of your eye and pull the skin downward. In France and Greece this means "I am alert. I'm looking. You can't fool me." In Italy and Spain, it's a friendlier warning, meaning "Be alert, that guy is clever." Forearm Jerk: Clench your right fist and jerk your forearm up as you slap your right bicep with your left palm. This is a rude phallic gesture that men throughout southern Europe often use the way many Americans "give someone the finger." This jumbo version of "flipping the bird" says "I'm superior" (it's an action some monkeys actually do with their penises to insult their peers). This "get lost" or "up yours" gesture is occasionally used by rude men in Britain and Germany as more of an "I want you" gesture about (but never to) a sexy woman. Chin Flick: Tilt your head back slightly and flick the back of your fingers forward in an arc from under your chin. In Italy and France, this means "I'm not interested, you bore me," or "You bother me." In southern Italy it can mean "No."

Travel etiquette 101: body language

by ROBERT REID 26 February 2011

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You step over someones legs in Nepal and dont even realize youve committed a grave social taboo! Although most locals will excuse breaches in etiquette, wouldnt you rather be informed? Read below for a list of etiquette tips, taken from our various guidebooks, to help you navigate different parts of the world. 1. In Asia, never touch any part of someone else's body with your foot, which is considered the 'lowest' part of the body. If you accidentally do this, apologize by touching your hand to the person's arm and then touching your own head. Don't point at objects or people with your feet, don't prop your feet on chairs or tables while sitting. From the Lonely Planet Thailand travel guide (and other Asia guidebooks) 2. Also in Asia, refrain from touching people on the head or ruffling their hair. The head is spiritually the 'highest' part of the body. Don't sit on pillows meant as headrests, as it is a variant on this taboo. From the Lonely planet China travel guide 3. Shaking hands was introduced to Fiji in the 19th century by way of Tonga, and quickly became the established custom. An affectionate handshake can be very long,

and may even last throughout an entire conversation. From the Lonely Planet South Pacific Phrasebook 4. In Nepal, its bad manners to step over someone's outstretched legs, so avoid doing that, and move your own legs when someone wants to pass. Also do not step over or sit on a monks cushions in or near a temple, even if no one is sitting on them. Always walk around stupas and chortens (Tibetan-style stupas) in a clockwise direction. From the Lonely Planet Nepal travel guide 5. In Japanese baths, called onsen, always wash first before entering the water. The water is considered fouled if someone does not do this, kind of like the American equivalent of peeing in a pool. Also, use a wash cloth to cover your private bits and pieces. From the Lonely Planet Japan travel guide. (Also see: Top 10 hot springs in Japan) 6. The people of Italy are emotionally demonstrative, so expect to see lots of cheek kissing among acquaintances, embraces between men who are good friends and lingering handshakes. Italian men may walk arm-in-arm, as may women. Pushing and shoving in busy places is not considered rude, so don't be offended by it. Try to hold your ground. The Italian body language vocabulary is is quite extensive, but the following six may prove useful when traveling:

Six examples of Italian body language with their matching translations 7. Shaking hands across a threshold is considered unlucky in Russia. An interesting feature of this is that some pizza delivery guys refuse to conduct a transaction across a threshold; you either have to go out to the hall or invite them just inside the door. From the Lonely Planet Russia travel guide 8. In India it is possible to pay a tremendous compliment with body language alone. When somebody approaches a person with their tongue between their teeth and gathers the air around the person's head with their hands to draw it into their own

personal space, it means they find the person either unbearably beautiful or extraordinarily intelligent. - From Lonely Planet's Indian English Language & Culture 9. Don't stick your index finger and middle finger up with the palm of your hand facing towards you in the UK... it's the equivalent of giving someone the finger. Tip: Don't order two beers in this fashion in UK bars. Doing it palm facing out is OK (i.e., the peace sign) - From a Lonely Planet staffer in the UK 10. Moroccan greetings can last up to 10 minutes. Shake with your right hand then touch your hand to your heart, to indicate that you're taking the meeting to heart. Good friends may tack on up to four air kisses, accompanied by a stream of well wishes: 'How are you? Everything's good with you? I hope your parents are well? Baraka (blessings) upon them!' From Alison Bing, Lonely Planet Morocco author Know of other body language dos and don'ts around the world? Mime them for us in the comments below.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/asia/travel-tips-and-articles/76514#ixzz2i4PY6Qaw