Blog Assignment #3

Nonverbal communication varies from one culture to another, just as verbal languages vary. Nonverbal communication in China is quite different from that in the United Stated. For China, it is difficult to read their thoughts from their nonverbal communication. In China it seems to be rude when you pat someone’s head and he may think you are lack of respect to him. As Chinese people talking to strangers, they prefer more eye contact because they think it shows interest, attention to others. When people meet each other, they would like to shakes hands instead of hugging. They consider it as a polite way to show their friendship. While, in the United Stated pat someone’s head means encourage or comfort. During a conversation, too much eye contact or stare seems rude. For Americans, hug is a normal way to show their strong friendship.

Nevertheless, there also some similarities in nonverbal communication between the two cultures. When people hold their thumb, it means “something is good”, “something is ok”. When they nodding their heads which means agreement.

Different cultures play important roles in nonverbal communication, it influences the way which people think and act, and also different locations affect in nonverbal communication.