Body language is of great importance tohumans. We carry many of the meanings through body movements. However, many forms of body language we consider to be fine in our country can get usinto trouble in other parts of the world.
A smile is one of the most common examples in different countries. While Americans smile freely atstrangers,in Russia this is considered strange and even impolite. In Asian countries a smile isn' tnecessarily an expression of joy but it can be used to express pain.
The acceptable physical distance is another major difference. In Latin America and the MiddleEast the acceptable distance is much shorter than what most Europeans and Americans feet comforta-ble with. Hand and arm movements as a form. of body language are also very different amongcountries. Handshakes are usually acceptable almost everywhere, even between strangers;however,kissing on the cheek and touching on the shoulder or other body parts aren' t. For many people inAsia and other parts of the world, such actions are seen as a violation (侵犯) of one' s personalspace. This is why you should not touch others easily.
Eye contact(目光接触)is one of the forms of body language where the differences are most strikingInAmerica and Latin America looking the other person in the eye is a sign of respect. But in Asian countries,prolonged(过长的)eye contact is especially rude,so you should try your best not to do that.
3. Which form of body language is acceptable almost everywhere?
AKissing on the cheek.
BShaking hands.
CTouching on the shoulder.
DKeeping a short distance.
