English as a Second Language Settlement Assistance Program (ESLSAP)

Body Language Around the World

What is one gesture that means the same all over the world, and is used by people in the remote Amazon jungle as well on the busy streets of Vancouver?
The smile. The smile may be the one and only gesture that can be understood worldwide.

Min, from Parksville.
Body language varies from culture to culture and even from region to region in some countries. Non-verbal cues that are appropriate in Canada can have a very different meaning in other cultures. The following examples show a range of possible cultural interpretations of body language.

Too Close for Comfort?
When Jacquie was in Paris for the first time, she found riding in elevators to be very disconcerting–people always seemed to stand much too close. In fact, if a man got on and moved into "her" space, she often found the proximity threatening enough to make her get off at the next floor. Much later, back in Canada, Jacquie was talking to a French friend who recounted her experience in elevators as a Parisian in Canada. This friend had gone to the doctor to see if she had some unbeknownst, terrible body odour problem, because when people entered the same elevator, they would immediately move away to the other side.

Body Language Interpretations

Thumbs Up In North America, this means hitch hiking, or good job. In Germany, it means number one, and in Japan, number five. In Australia and Nigeria, this is an insult.

Pointing with Index Finger Common in North America and Europe. Considered impolite in Japan and China. In these countries people point using the whole hand.

Touching A pat on the shoulder or forearm is a common way to express “good work” in North American culture. Hand shaking is a common greeting in many Western countries. In many Asian cultures, people typically don’t touch strangers. Some Islamic and Hindu cultures typically don’t touch with the left hand.

Comfortable Proximity North Americans stand approximately an arms length away. Asians, especially Japanese, tend to stand more than an arms length away. Latin Americans and Middle Easterners typically stand less than an arms length away.

Eye Contact Direct eye contact is considered positive for most North Americans. People in Arabic cultures make prolonged eye contact. Japanese, Latin American, and Caribbean people may avoid eye contact to show respect.

Body Language Interpretations
Thumbs Up	In North America, this means hitch hiking, or good job.	In Germany, it means number one, and in Japan, number five.	In Australia and Nigeria, this is an insult.
Pointing with Index Finger	Common in North America and Europe.	Considered impolite in Japan and China. In these countries people point using the whole hand.
Touching	A pat on the shoulder or forearm is a common way to express “good work” in North American culture. Hand shaking is a common greeting in many Western countries.	In many Asian cultures, people typically don’t touch strangers.	Some Islamic and Hindu cultures typically don’t touch with the left hand.
Comfortable Proximity	North Americans stand approximately an arms length away.	Asians, especially Japanese, tend to stand more than an arms length away.	Latin Americans and Middle Easterners typically stand less than an arms length away.
Eye Contact	Direct eye contact is considered positive for most North Americans.	People in Arabic cultures make prolonged eye contact.	Japanese, Latin American, and Caribbean people may avoid eye contact to show respect.