Exam questions in icc & si

NB! There will be 3 questions in a card. The 2 questions will be included from the questions below. The last question will be a practical question (a situation).

1 The impact of body language in different cultures

*1*Body Language is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people.

Body language is also very relevant to relationships outside of work, for example in dating and mating, and in families and parenting.

Communication includes listening. In terms of observable body language, non-verbal (non-spoken) signals are being exchanged whether these signals are accompanied by spoken words or not.

Body language goes both ways:

Your own body language reveals your feelings and meanings to others.

Other people's body language reveals their feelings and meanings to you.

The sending and receiving of body language signals happens on conscious and unconscious levels.

*2*-Body language is an important – and often decisive – factor in risk communication. This is especially true of communicators, who need to show congruence between the oral information and their body language when transmitting a message, because only if they manage to do so will the message be effective. Body language is an element in communication that we should be very much aware of because it gives clues to the character, emotions, and reactions of an individual.

Body Language in Different Cultures

A signal for “Ok” can be expressed in many different ways on planet Earth with its diverse set of cultures.

It is sometimes critical to know such variations specially if you are likely to find yourself in high-stakes meetings with international businesspeople. Although bear in mind that due to the disruptive effect of Internet as a technology and today’s globalised communication, many people are aware of body language signals of other countries, especially body language of those that are culturally more dominant.

Hand Shaking

UK, US, Germany, New Zealand:

These people shake hands on meeting and on departure. If two people know each other, sometimes the handshake is skipped.

France and most other European cultures:

Even if they know each other well, people from these cultures will still hand shake on meeting and departure. It is more common to handshake several times a day even with the same person.

India, Middle East, Asia:

People from these nations may continue to hold your hand after the handshake is finished. It is also more frequent and can happen several times a day.

Japan:

This type of bodily contact is considered impolite and is replaced by a bow. The depth of the bow shows the amount of respect shown and indicates the relative status between the two. Detecting bow strength may require years of experience, so a simple bow by a foreigner is usually adequate.

Head Nodding

In most of the world:

This means “yes”

Bulgaria:

“No”

Japan:

“Yes, I understand”, or, “Yes, please continue”, but not necessarily, “Yes, I agree”

Parts of India:

Head is moved (tilted) side-to-side to show agreement.

Showing Soles of Feet

In many Asian and Arab countries:

This is considered rude as is usually translated to “I find you lower than what I walk on”.

Kissing and Hugging

Southern Europe:

This is standard greeting whether the other person is known or not. It is however less common in professional settings. Men kiss women and women kiss women. Men kissing men varies between countries and within countries. It also depends if the other person is a family member. Hugging is popular between the sexes, between two women as well as between two men.

Netherlands, Switzerland and France:

Women kiss men and Women. Men prefer to handshake rather than kiss men, except kissing father and close friends or if they have not seen a friend for a long time.

UK:

kissing is not as common as it is in the southern parts of Europe though it is practiced for greetings between the sexes and between women. kissing between two men is unusual.

Body language hugging

US:

Air kissing is becoming ever more popular. Air kissing is kissing near the cheek in the air while cheeks may touch or not.

Middle East:

Kissing between men and women is considered inappropriate if the two are not married or closely related. Kiss of the cheek is common among same sex people when greeting.

Turkey:

kissing is widely practiced including men to men unless they are getting introduced for the first time.