Communicating nonverbally across cultures

This chapter identifies the wide variety of modes of nonverbal communication involved in global business interactions, discusses the potential pitfalls when studying nonverbal communication. It describes some of the salient features of nonverbal communication and explores the issues revolving around initial cross-cultural business introductions such as exchanging business cards, bowing, and gift giving. Proxemic patterns are important for cross-cultural communication largely because they represent such a subtle and frequently overlooked form of nonverbal communication. Each culture develops its own set of rules and uses of space, which like other aspects of culture are learned, but learned in an unconscious manner. Space is used differently within and across national cultures. Personal or individual attributes affect the use of space. Business leaders were attracted to the open plan because it maximized office space and minimized overhead costs. Moreover, it allowed bosses to keep a close eye on their workers to insure employees were not shopping online or playing video games.