During normal conversation, only 35 percent of social meaning issuccessfully transmitted through words. Understanding the other 65percent comes through the interpretation of nonverbalcommunication, mainly body language, a speaker said Thursdaynight.
Kris Rugsaken, academic advisor, taught students how to decodethis high percentage of unclear communication and interpret thedifferences between Western and Eastern body language at hispresentation.
"We can share feelings too strong or too difficult to beexpressed in words," Rugsaken said.
The problem is that gestures take on different meanings indifferent cultures, Rugsaken said. He gave many examples of thesecommunicational discrepancies from head to toe.
Nodding one's head is an indicator of agreement in mostsocieties, but in Bulgaria it clearly means "no."
In America, spitting is considered crude, yet it is acceptablefor a person to blow his nose at a social gathering. In most Asiancountries, spitting is a common practice while nose-blowing isconsidered impolite.
Sitting with legs crossed is nothing more than a comfortableposition in most societies. In Asia, it is disrespectful to sitwith legs crossed, especially if the toe or sole of shoe ispointing at another person.
While a thumbs up is considered a positive gesture in mostWestern societies, it is interpreted as the equivalent to "Upyours!" in Australia and many parts of Europe.
This was a mistake that one American couple made while travelingin New Zealand, Rugsaken said. The couple committed a minor trafficviolation and politely explained to the officer who pulled themover that they were unfamiliar with the traffic laws because theywere American. Pleased at receiving only a warning, the couple gavethe officer a friendly thumbs up. The couple was then arrested.
Through his presentation, Rugsaken taught students how to avoidsituations such as this.
"Becoming sensitive to the clues of body language can help uscommunicate more effectively with other people around the world,"Rugsaken said.
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