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Greetings and Gestures
Culture and society plays a large role on how individuals communicate with one another, including how they express themselves. There are various ways of communication such as through speaking, sign language, and body movement. Although most cultures might share the same basic emotions, the different forms of communication may vary from culture to culture, especially when it comes to greetings and gestures. So what would the polite thing to do if an American was greeted by a foreigner? Kiss? Bow? Shake hands? Would it matter who is in whose country? Does it make a difference? Because first impressions are most important when first meeting someone, it is imperative to be able to handle situations correctly by knowing what to do, as some people might take it offensively or take it personally by disrespecting them with a hug, even though it was good intentions. While some greetings and gestures may be appropriate in one culture, it may not be so in another, which is why it is important to be aware of cultural differences to avoid any misunderstanding.
Every culture has its own language, not just a speaking language, but body language as well. When two people meet for the first time, the proper thing to do is to introduce themselves and greet one another properly depending on what culture they come from. Greetings may involve more than just words. It is not only important on how the greeting is said, but also how it is done, such as physical body contact and body movement. Many cultures have different ways to properly greet a person, whether it is a family member, relative or a stranger. A greeting is not only important when people meet, they are also a big part of a person’s everyday life. In Linda Lee’s and James Charlton’s The Handbook: Interpreting handshakes, gestures, power signals and sexual signs, Lee and Charlton state “Your style of interpersonal greetings reveals your social and your ethnic background, your feelings about yourself, and your attitude towards the person you are greeting” (Lee and Charlton 120). When a person first sees somebody a greeting is usually the first move that is made and normally reveals how a person feels about the other. If the greeting is not done properly then others might take it personally and will feel as if the person is not worth their time and we’ll end up a bad start of a new relationship.
In American society the two most widely used forms of greeting are the wave and handshake. The wave is a simple open palmed, side to side motion usually with the right hand and although considered informal in some cultures, it is quite the norm here in America between friends and family. The handshake is also a common and generally simple greeting. The simple and more formal version of the hand shake is by firmly gripping other person’s hand while shaking. In many informal and friendly situations the once simple handshake evolved into an up and down motion followed by a different, hand grip on the second shake, followed by a third grip of just the fingers all finished with a knuckle bump and possibly a hug. However, in other countries such as Japan, this type of handshake would not only be unacceptable but also just plain rude.
In Japan the standard greeting is done by taking a bow. Although handshakes may be acceptable with some people in Japan, they prefer the traditional bow when being greeted by each other. It is not only proper to bow but also shows much more respect as well when greeting the person. The bow is done in a specific manner, not just any bow; there are three degrees of the bow that should be known before visiting the country. The first and most informal is a bow of only fifteen degrees, often done amongst equals; bowing to a full thirty degrees is used as a sign of respect to someone whom is of higher rank than you such as your parents, grandparents or boss. However, bows of more than thirty degrees are reserved only for the Imperial family and are otherwise considered very disrespectful.
In different parts of the world there are acceptable and non acceptable greetings for certain people. Since the world is divided by many different countries there are various customs and manners when greeting one another. For example, a double kiss on the cheek is a friendly gesture when greeting a friend or loved one in France. In Mexico, the proper way to greet each other is with a hug considering that they know each other well. It is also formal for Asian men and women to fold their hands and bow in greeting, as opposed to those from India, the appropriate way to acknowledge one another is by placing their palms together as if praying and bend down or nod. According to Nancy Armstrong and Melissa Wagner in their book Field Guide to Gestures: How to Identify and Interperet Virtually every Gesture Known to Man they state "People in Islamic countries do not display public displays of affection with members of the opposite sex because of strict laws governing public touching" (Armstrong and Wagner 17) A smile is a common gesture that comes along with a greeting for most cultures. However, what one way might be appropriate in one culture may not be in another. For example, eye contact when greeting is considered disrespectful in Asia, but here in America eye contact is a must. Muslims avoid any physical contact with the opposite sex including handshake unless a woman offers her hand first. It is unusual for men to kiss in the U.S when greeting each other but in other places like part of the Middle East it is an expression of friendship. It is important not to assume that the greetings in one part of the world are also appropriate in other parts of the world to avoid any confusion or giving off wrong messages.
Gestures are also something that people do not think about when traveling to a different country. Gestures play a large part in society's non-verbal communication; anything can be said without one single word being spoken. There is not a single culture in the world that does not have a long history of gestures that has evolved into what is being used today. Gestures vary from simple hand movement and finger pointing to whole body movements. Gestures here in America are very different from gestures in other countries such as in African countries. Dr. Orville Boyd Jenkins wrote in his online article Gestures "Many Africans as well as Asian people call someone or indicate it is OK to approach by placing the fingers on the right hand downward, with the palm toward the speaker (caller) motioning with the whole hand down and toward the speaker" (Boyd Jenkins). In some African countries as well as other parts of the world the standard “come here” with a hooked finger, as is common here in America is considered very disrespectful. It is not uncommon to see many ignorant Americans traveling to foreign countries only to find themselves being disrespected or disrespecting other around them. If people take the time to research the culture and history of the area they are visiting they can actually have a fun and friendly vacation instead of an unhappy and displeasing visit.
Gestures are expressive to someone because they communicate with recipients whether they are received correctly or incorrectly. So a gesture is communication through its reception. It is defined as a posture or movement of the body or any of its members that is understood to be meaningful. This is seen in many so social settings like performances, rituals, or even political speeches. For example “when you see political speeches the speaker might give a hand chop, one stiff hand chops down on the upturned palm of the other hand which means he is slicing through the verbal confusion to make a strong clear point”(Morris 103), or, “when the speaker gives the hand scissors, it is when the hands are crossed over one another and the forcibly sliced apart, as if they are the blades of a large pair of scissors which means the speaker wishes to finish an argument” (Morris 103). Additionally, gestures need to be distinguished apart from sign languages because sign language is fully grammatical whereas gestures are not. Gestures are an important means of teaching in a given social class. They are a large part of what is considered appropriate, courteous, polite, as long as it is done according to the proper culture. Failure to be briefed or prepared when dealing with other cultures is not only embarrassing but also gives important people a bad first impression when they unexpectedly give a bad gesture.
When visiting other countries for the first time, especially if one is a rather famous person who will be approaching a huge crowd, is better off not giving any gestures at all. Although certain gestures might be okay in one country, might be offensive in another. For example, Richard Nixon, who was once known to be the Preside of the United States, gave a gesture of the famous “peace” sign upon his arrival as he stepped out of his jet, as he always have done in the past. While this sign might be acceptable in North America, it was completely disrespectful in the foreign country he was in. In Eliote Hoppes article “Gestures in Business: Cultural Differences” he states, “Immediately, the crowd below began to jeer the President who couldn't figure out why all of a sudden, he was receiving such a rude welcome. Imagine, a dignitary from another country visiting yours and "flipping the bird" which in their country meant "greetings". What would your immediate reaction be?” As one can see, it is really important to know one’s audience and if traveling to other countries, it helps a great deal to be aware that some of the most commonly acceptable gestures at home can have a completely different meaning abroad.
It is difficult to avoid making judgment based on the way individuals greet each other, especially when it is not done properly. One country may be fine with a hug while others may find it disrespectful. However, it does not necessarily mean the person has bad manners. It could simply mean that traditions differ from culture to culture. Cultural differences and ethnic background affect the significance in the way people communicate with each other. What is normal and acceptable in one country may be rude or unusual in another. People must be aware of what is allowed and what is not when approaching or surrounded by others of a different background to avoid any miscommunications. Greetings differ so much between different countries and cultures everyone should take the time to learn the proper greeting for the area they’re visiting. Once everyone are respectable about other people’s cultural and knowing the differences between customs in other cultural, people can than continue having healthy and stronger relationships with each other no matter what cultural or country they come from.
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In Japan the standard greeting is done by taking a bow. Although handshakes may be acceptable with some people in Japan, they prefer the traditional bow when being greeted by each other. It is not only proper to bow but also shows much more respect as well when greeting the person. The bow is done in a specific manner, not just any bow; there are three degrees of the bow that should be known before visiting the country. The first and most informal is a bow of only fifteen degrees, often done amongst equals; bowing to a full thirty degrees is used as a sign of respect to someone whom is of higher rank than you such as your parents, grandparents or boss. However, bows of more than thirty degrees are reserved only for the Imperial family and are otherwise considered very disrespectful.
In different parts of the world there are acceptable and non acceptable greetings for certain people. Since the world is divided by many different countries there are various customs and manners when greeting one another. For example, a double kiss on the cheek is a friendly gesture when greeting a friend or loved one in France. In Mexico, the proper way to greet each other is with a hug considering that they know each other well. It is also formal for Asian men and women to fold their hands and bow in greeting, as opposed to those from India, the appropriate way to acknowledge one another is by placing their palms together as if praying and bend down or nod. According to Nancy Armstrong and Melissa Wagner in their book Field Guide to Gestures: How to Identify and Interperet Virtually every Gesture Known to Man they state "People in Islamic countries do not display public displays of affection with members of the opposite sex because of strict laws governing public touching" (Armstrong and Wagner 17) A smile is a common gesture that comes along with a greeting for most cultures. However, what one way might be appropriate in one culture may not be in another. For example, eye contact when greeting is considered disrespectful in Asia, but here in America eye contact is a must. Muslims avoid any physical contact with the opposite sex including handshake unless a woman offers her hand first. It is unusual for men to kiss in the U.S when greeting each other but in other places like part of the Middle East it is an expression of friendship. It is important not to assume that the greetings in one part of the world are also appropriate in other parts of the world to avoid any confusion or giving off wrong messages.
Gestures are also something that people do not think about when traveling to a different country. Gestures play a large part in society's non-verbal communication; anything can be said without one single word being spoken. There is not a single culture in the world that does not have a long history of gestures that has evolved into what is being used today. Gestures vary from simple hand movement and finger pointing to whole body movements. Gestures here in America are very different from gestures in other countries such as in African countries. Dr. Orville Boyd Jenkins wrote in his online article Gestures "Many Africans as well as Asian people call someone or indicate it is OK to approach by placing the fingers on the right hand downward, with the palm toward the speaker (caller) motioning with the whole hand down and toward the speaker" (Boyd Jenkins). In some African countries as well as other parts of the world the standard “come here” with a hooked finger, as is common here in America is considered very disrespectful. It is not uncommon to see many ignorant Americans traveling to foreign countries only to find themselves being disrespected or disrespecting other around them. If people take the time to research the culture and history of the area they are visiting they can actually have a fun and friendly vacation instead of an unhappy and displeasing visit.
Gestures are expressive to someone because they communicate with recipients whether they are received correctly or incorrectly. So a gesture is communication through its reception. It is defined as a posture or movement of the body or any of its members that is understood to be meaningful. This is seen in many so social settings like performances, rituals, or even political speeches. For example “when you see political speeches the speaker might give a hand chop, one stiff hand chops down on the upturned palm of the other hand which means he is slicing through the verbal confusion to make a strong clear point”(Morris 103), or, “when the speaker gives the hand scissors, it is when the hands are crossed over one another and the forcibly sliced apart, as if they are the blades of a large pair of scissors which means the speaker wishes to finish an argument” (Morris 103). Additionally, gestures need to be distinguished apart from sign languages because sign language is fully grammatical whereas gestures are not. Gestures are an important means of teaching in a given social class. They are a large part of what is considered appropriate, courteous, polite, as long as it is done according to the proper culture. Failure to be briefed or prepared when dealing with other cultures is not only embarrassing but also gives important people a bad first impression when they unexpectedly give a bad gesture.
When visiting other countries for the first time, especially if one is a rather famous person who will be approaching a huge crowd, is better off not giving any gestures at all. Although certain gestures might be okay in one country, might be offensive in another. For example, Richard Nixon, who was once known to be the Preside of the United States, gave a gesture of the famous “peace” sign upon his arrival as he stepped out of his jet, as he always have done in the past. While this sign might be acceptable in North America, it was completely disrespectful in the foreign country he was in. In Eliote Hoppes “Gestures in Business: Cultural Differences” he states, “Immediately, the crowd below began to jeer the President who couldn't figure out why all of a sudden, he was receiving such a rude welcome. Imagine, a dignitary from another country visiting yours and "flipping the bird" which in their country meant "greetings". What would your immediate reaction be?” As one can see, it is really important to know one’s audience and if traveling to other countries, it helps a great deal to be aware that some of the most commonly acceptable gestures at home can have a completely different meaning abroad.
Conclusion:
It is difficult to avoid making judgment based on the way individuals greet each other, especially when it is not done properly. One country may be fine with a hug while others may find it disrespectful. However, it does not necessarily mean the person has bad manners. It could simply mean that traditions differ from culture to culture. Cultural differences and ethnic background affect the significance in the way people communicate with each other. What is normal and acceptable in one country may be rude or unusual in another. People must be aware of what is allowed and what is not when approaching or surrounded by others of a different background to avoid any miscommunications. Greetings differ so much between different countries and cultures everyone should take the time to learn the proper greeting for the area they’re visiting. Once everyone are respectable about other people’s cultural and knowing the differences between customs in other cultural, people can than continue having healthy and stronger relationships with each other no matter what cultural or country they come from.
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Overall, your essay on greetings and gestures is well-written and provides a comprehensive exploration of the topic. You effectively highlight the importance of cultural differences in greetings and gestures, and how misunderstandings can occur when individuals fail to be aware of these differences.
Here are some suggestions for revisions to enhance your essay:
1. Introduction: Consider rephrasing the last sentence to make it clearer and more concise. For example, you could say, "It is important to be aware of cultural differences in greetings and gestures in order to avoid misunderstandings."
2. Body paragraphs: In the third paragraph, you can provide some examples of how greetings and gestures differ across cultures. This will help illustrate your point and make the content more engaging.
3. Supporting evidence: Throughout your essay, try to incorporate more specific examples or evidence to support your statements. This could include quotes from experts, anecdotes, or cultural observations to provide a stronger foundation for your arguments.
4. Transitions: Make sure to use transitions between paragraphs and ideas to create a smooth flow in your essay. This will help the reader follow your thoughts and connections more easily.
5. Conclusion: Summarize your main points concisely in the conclusion and reiterate the importance of cultural awareness in greetings and gestures. This will help reinforce your message and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Overall, your essay is well-structured and provides a good overview of the topic. By incorporating some of these revisions, you can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Great job!