By: Ava Donnersbach
Communication is an important aspect in every part of the world. People communicate in different ways, both verbally or nonverbally. Many people believe spoken language is the main way of communication. On the contrary, spoken language is only about seven percent to thirty-five percent of communication.
Most communication is nonverbal and includes gestures.
Nonverbal communication varies from place to place. The United States of America and France are an example of this. If a person did not know the differences in nonverbal communication before visiting France to make business deals, there could be a problem. Gestures that are considered normal in France, may be a offensive in America. For example, when passing by other people, who may be strangers, in America, smiles may be given to be polite. In contrast, people do not smile when passing by other people, or strangers, in France. The French feel it is not necessary to smile when there is nothing to smile about. Therefore, this could be interpreted as rude by Americans. Additionally, people in France maintain eye contact during business purposes and normal conversations to be polite. However, eye contact with strangers may be taken as a sign of flirting.
Greetings are also a form of communication. In France, it is very common to exchange kisses on both cheeks when greeting friends. On the other hand, greetings with kisses are not common in the business world in France. Another way of communicating is with hands to say how many and to indicate a number In France, French people use their thumbs as the first counter. From there on they just continue to count. In America, people usually use their index finger to indicate number one.
One way that non-verbal communication is the same in France and in America is the “thumbs up” sign. This means “okay” in France and in America. The “zero” symbol in America can also stand as the” okay sign in France. Furthermore, the French also have wordless signals to communicate. For instance, putting an index finger and pulling down the skin under the eye is a way to communicate that a person does not believe another person. Another signal the French use is tapping the nose. This is the equivalent of saying “J'ai du nez,” which translates to “you are clever or quick-thinking.” All together, nonverbal communication is a major part in France as well as other places in the world.
Most communication is nonverbal and includes gestures.
Nonverbal communication varies from place to place. The United States of America and France are an example of this. If a person did not know the differences in nonverbal communication before visiting France to make business deals, there could be a problem. Gestures that are considered normal in France, may be a offensive in America. For example, when passing by other people, who may be strangers, in America, smiles may be given to be polite. In contrast, people do not smile when passing by other people, or strangers, in France. The French feel it is not necessary to smile when there is nothing to smile about. Therefore, this could be interpreted as rude by Americans. Additionally, people in France maintain eye contact during business purposes and normal conversations to be polite. However, eye contact with strangers may be taken as a sign of flirting.
Greetings are also a form of communication. In France, it is very common to exchange kisses on both cheeks when greeting friends. On the other hand, greetings with kisses are not common in the business world in France. Another way of communicating is with hands to say how many and to indicate a number In France, French people use their thumbs as the first counter. From there on they just continue to count. In America, people usually use their index finger to indicate number one.
One way that non-verbal communication is the same in France and in America is the “thumbs up” sign. This means “okay” in France and in America. The “zero” symbol in America can also stand as the” okay sign in France. Furthermore, the French also have wordless signals to communicate. For instance, putting an index finger and pulling down the skin under the eye is a way to communicate that a person does not believe another person. Another signal the French use is tapping the nose. This is the equivalent of saying “J'ai du nez,” which translates to “you are clever or quick-thinking.” All together, nonverbal communication is a major part in France as well as other places in the world.