Different Body Languages
It’s been fun observing body language across different cultures as we travel. Each country seems to have a unique way of communicating, reflects each country’s culture.
No expert here, but here’s some superficial observations and generalizations.
In Mexico, people were warm and vocal and greeted us on the street. My favorite is that when passing through a restaurant people would say, “Buen provecho!” to the strangers seated along their path (it’s the Spanish version of bon appetit). It now feels strange, if not rude, to not do that in other countries.
In Japan, there really is a ton of bowing, whether that’s a deep welcome at a store when you walk in or a nod from a driver when you bike past them on the street. People acknowledge each other silently through this gesture of respect.
In India, the ever present head wobble is super confusing for us. I’m often lost whether the meaning is a strong yes, or a strong no, or anywhere in between. The most beautiful gesture to my was the casual touching of the heart when someone was expressing thanks or gratitude.
In Kenya, you get much stronger hand gestures with a full wrist – a flick for a yes, or double flick for a no – and the greeting on the street is an upward head nod, rather than the downward bow of Japan.
Years ago I learned in Nicaragua that it’s quite common to point to something by puckering your lips in the right direction, and thought that was the funniest means of communication. It’s fun to collect these subtle observations like little gifts to unwrap as I remember them in the future.
A poster in the Kyoto subway to teach us foreigners the rules of polite society.
