Nonverbal communication in indian culture

Running head: CULTURAL COMMUNICATION 1

CULTURAL COMMUNICATION 2

Cultural Comparison: American and Indian Style of Communication

Name

Institution

Cultural Comparison: American and Indian Style of Communication

Introduction

With the continuous process of globalization, individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds are constantly learning other groups’ communication styles (Mohammed, 2011). Whenever individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds communicate, their discussions can take various dimensions. Such dimensions include self-centered dialogues, dominant dialogues, as well as equal dialogues. In the first context, individuals are driven by ethnocentrism and the utilization of only their own cultural standards as a method of perceiving, judging, and interacting with each other, which normally results in misunderstandings as well as communication breakdown. In the second scenario, a person who is fully knowledgeable of the cultural traits and dissimilarities of other people makes use of the cultural differences of other people, take advantage of the cultural dissimilarities and controls and manipulates the whole communication. Indians and Americans differ in their culture, and so, in their method of communication (Liu, 2001). Therefore, mutual understanding and acknowledgement of each other’s cultural similarities and differences can only be attained and reflected within the context of communication. In whatever situation, the emphasis of cultural communication is mainly on the interpersonal dimensions as they seem within a variety of situations.

Comparison between Indian and American Cultural Communication

Just like any unique culture that has a rich history, Indians posses numerous non-verbal characteristics so that they can call their own. For people to have an understanding of the scope and depth of any particular culture’s nonverbal communication, it is important to picture oneself as being part of that culture. As American outsiders assessing an Indian culture, there is no need to fully understand the meaning of each piece of communication. Having such an understanding can only be achieved from studying and carefully investigating what other individuals have learnt from observing the Indians and Americans in their everyday lives (Ikeda & Tidwell, 2011).

Some of the major differences in communication styles among the Indians and Americans come in the form of non-verbal cues. Whether the participants from these two cultural backgrounds are communicating within religious, family, or interpersonal contexts, non-verbal communication forms a major part of the ways that Americans and Indians communicate. For that reason, there are differences from one culture to another. Nonverbal communication takes the form of haptics, kinesics, eye contact, gestures, as well as proxemics. These non-verbal cues are perceived or interpreted differently among these two cultures (Ikeda & Tidwell, 2011).

Within the American culture, there are many commonly applied gestures in both domestic and formal communication, which are dissimilar from those of the Indian culture. For instance, Americans use fingers to call people to suggest ‘come here please’. This is considered to be friendly among them. However, this mode of communication is viewed as offensive within the Indian context. Still, there are some gestures that are viewed as similar among both Americans and Indians. For example waving of hands is commonly understood among both cultures as sending greetings. Pointing with a single finger is viewed as offensive and rude among Indians, who believe in respect for the elderly (Ikeda & Tidwell, 2011).

Americans are more liberal than the conservative Indians in their way of communication. For instance, when it comes to touch as a means of interpersonal or group communication, patting a child’s head or another person’s back is treated as a friendly or compassionate gesture within the American context. However, the Indians consider this to be inappropriate to touch an individual’s head, which is believed to be sacred section of the human body owing to their religious backgrounds. In addition, Americans may be comfortable with handshakes using the left hand, while Indians believe in shaking hands using the right hand, because it is used to show respect for others. Furthermore, Americans have no boundary with respect to the persons they can touch. For instance, even the American head of state can accept a hug from women as a sign of friendship. However, within the Indian context, touching a person of the opposite gender is entirely not considered as appropriate within any context (Ikeda & Tidwell, 2011).

Within the American cultural context, eye contacts are taken to mean that the person being addressed is paying attention. This is especially the case when one is participating in formal communication such as conferences and public meetings. Even in the family and marriage contexts, the Americans believe that ‘looking at someone in the eye’ shows trust. That is why spouses tell each other ‘look me in the eye if you are telling the truth’. Indians, on the other hand, use eye contacts sparingly to pass the same message. However, prolonged eye contacts among the Indians may be treated as being disrespectful among the communicating parties. To them, lack of eye contacts does not necessarily mean the communicating parties are not attentive. In some cases prolonged eye contact to persons of the opposite gender may suggest sexual interest within the Indian context (Ikeda & Tidwell, 2011).

Dressing styles in the Indian culture depends on the region of origin, and send different signals. The most common clothing for men is the Dhoti. This is a lengthy piece of white cotton that is engulfed around the waist for half of its length and then pulled between the legs and placed around the back section of the waist. In Southern part of India, the chest is normally left open, whereas in the northern region, a shirt may be work. In the northern section, leaving the chest open is often considered to be unrefined. Turbans and other means of covering the head are used in the northern region to communicate that the wearer belongs to a certain community region or village. For instance, the kurta, which is a lengthy tunic-like shirt, and the pyjamas, loose and blobby trousers, can also be commonly dressed, particularly within the town centers. Individuals put on leather sandals, various domestically manufactures shoes, or even walk barefooted. Since leather is viewed as unclean in the Indian context, shoes are often removed before getting into a temple. Americans who get into Indian temples without removing their shoed are considered as undermining their Indian deity. In United States, dressing is also contextual. For instance, it is inappropriate for American women to wear bikinis in winter or during formal meetings (Ikeda & Tidwell, 2011).

First Impression

Americans are often free to meet people and talk to them even in first encounters. However, they have limits with respect to confiding in strangers. In as much as Americans open up fast, they do that after understanding somebody at length (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2009). In the Indian culture, however, it is advisable to wait until you fully gain knowledge about someone before you start speaking or engaging in discussions with them. This is contrary to most of the non-native Indians from United States, who speak with others so as to know them (Heit, 1987).

Dealing with children

In the Indian culture, it may be accepted for kids to avail themselves at elderly functions. However, this has limits, since it is not acceptable for the attendants to display themselves verbally in the midst of adults, unless it is a family function. This may be considered to be offensive or bragging or as considering oneself as more important than the rest (Heit, 1987). Nor is it acceptable for the attendants to showcase themselves or their achievements before other participants. Rather, they believe in actions as opposed to bragging by word of mouth. Americans may neither mind attending functions with children nor showcasing them before other attendants. In addition, they like showcasing their achievements to show the extent to which they are successful (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2009).

In the United States, people are liberal, and they may quickly welcome emotions and feelings expressed by word of mouth in front of others, even if they are total strangers. For example, asking questions to people that you have met for the first time in a direct way is not offensive, as they easily accommodate divergent views (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2009). In the Indian context, however, it is not respectful to showcase one’s strong feelings, either openly or non-verbally, in public or with other individuals that are not known well. Additionally, they do not like people who raise questions directly, in anticipation of quick responses, especially among individuals who are not acquaintances, or respectable personalities (Heit, 1987).

Instilling discipline

Americans may condemn or verbally try to discipline or congratulate a child openly before other participants. Other participants may not mind that, except in situations where they are focused on some important issues (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel, 2009). The Indian culture, on the other hand, considers it inappropriate to openly instill discipline or castigate someone else openly. To them misdeeds or crossing the line should be handled in a private and amicable fashion. This is often done with the primary reason of enabling the undisciplined person to maintain autonomy, and to have be responsible for their activities, realizing that such actions are reflective of the group. At the same time, praising and congratulating somebody may be done in a private context, or through smiles, touches, or brief comments.

Conclusion

In both the American and Indian contexts, cultural perception forms an integral part of intercultural and cultural communication. Perception is described as a procedure whereby humans convert external stimuli to a substantive experience (Liu, 2001). In both the Indian and American cultures, certain modes of communication are, hence perceived differently. For that reason, it is advisable for people engaging in intercultural communication to first understand the cultural backgrounds of communicating parties to avoid misunderstandings.

References

Heit, M. (1987). Communication styles of Indian peoples. AWASIS Journal, 10-1.

Ikeda, J., & Tidwell, C. (2011). Cultural differences in non-verbal communication. Vermont

Department of Health.

Liu, J. (2001). Asian students' classroom communication patterns in US universities: An Emic

perspective. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Mohammed, S. N. (2011). Communication and the globalization of culture: Beyond tradition

and borders. Lexington Books.

Samovar, L., Porter, R., & McDaniel, E. (2009). Communication between cultures. Cengage

Learning.