GESTURES CHINA JAPAN KOREA PHILIPPINE TAIWAN INDONESIA (JAVANESE)

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Sometime, when we give information or we want to tell something to someone but we not always speak or write it. We usually do it by our gesture. Gesture is a movement that you make with your hand, your head or your face to show a particular meaning. On the other hands it is something that you do or say to show a particular feeling or intention. Everybody in the world of course have gesture although some time it has a different meaning in every country, because sometime it is depend on their culture.

Culture is a custom and beliefs, art, way of life and social organization of a particular country or group. On the other hand it is the beliefs and attitudes about something that people in a particular group or organization share. From culture we can identify a country because with culture we can know face the country itself. Of course in every country has different culture because it the identity of the country itself so impossible that there is a same culture in the two country. Same like culture, sometime gesture has different meaning in different country, we can say that gesture is one of the culture.

  

Chapter II

DISCUSSION

At the first time, when we meet somebody we ought to do is greeting to them, and greeting in every country of course different. Greeting is something that you say or do to greet somebody. On the other hands it is a massage of good wishes for somebody’s health, happiness, etc.

 They are some greeting, beckoning, touching and nonverbal gesture of five Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesia.

•    CHINA

o   GREETINGS GESTURES

§  The western custom of shaking hands is the customary form of greeting, but often a nod of the head or slight bow is sufficient. Hugging and kissing when greeting are uncommon.

§  Business cards are often exchanged, and yours should be printed in your own language and in Chinese. Also, it is more respectful to present your card (or a gift or any other article) using both hands.

§  The Chinese are enthusiastic applauders. You may be greeted with group clapping, even by small children. When a person is applauded in this fashion it is the custom for that person to return the applause or a "thank you."

§  When walking in public places, direct eye contact and staring is uncommon in the larger cities, especially in those areas accustomed to foreign visitors. However, in smaller communities, visitors may be the subject of much curiosity and therefore you may notice some stares.

o   TOUCHING GESTURES

§  Generally speaking, the Chinese are not a touch-oriented society (especially true for visitors). So avoid touching or any prolonged form of body contact.

§  Public displays of affection are very rare. On the other hand, you may note people of the same sex walking hand-in-hand, which is simply a gesture of friendship.

§  Don't worry about a bit of pushing and shoving in stores or when groups board public buses or trains. Apologies are neither offered nor expected.

§  Personal space is much less in China. The Chinese will stand much closer than Westerners.

o   BECKONING GESTURES

§  To beckon someone, the palm faces downward and the fingers are moved in a scratching motion. Avoid use the index finger, palm up and toward you, in a back forth curling motion toward your body. That gesture is used only for animals and can be considered rude.

§  The open hand is used for pointing (not just one or two fingers,)

§  Also, avoid using your feet to gesture or to move or touch other objects because the feet are considered lowly and dirty.

o   OTHER NONVERBAL GESTURES

§  Avoid being physically intimidating (be humble), especially with older or more senior people.

§  Posture is important, so don't slouch or put your feet on desks or chairs.

§  Silence is perfectly acceptable and customary. Silence (listening) is a sign of politeness and of contemplation. During conversations, be especially careful about interrupting.

§  Chinese like to avoid saying "no." A gesture that is often used to signal "no" or that "something is very difficult" (pausing to rethink) is to tip the head backward and audibly suck air in through the teeth.

§  On public streets, spitting and blowing the nose without the benefit of a handkerchief is fairly common, although the government is waging a campaign to reduce this in the cities. It used to be regarded as ridding the body of a waste- an act of personal hygiene. However, today it is a sign of "low" class or uneducated.

•  JAPAN

In summary, for most visitors the Japanese are complex and difficult to understand. Remember two things: (1) style, or the way things are done, is just as important as substance, or what is being done; and (2) watch your Japanese hosts carefully and follow their example.

o   GREETING GESTURES

·         The graceful act of bowing is the traditional greeting.

·         However, they have also adopted the western custom of shaking hands, albeit with a light grip and perhaps with eyes averted. Meanwhile, to show respect for their customs, it would flatter them to offer a slight bow when being introduced.

·         Avoid hugging and kissing when greeting.

·         It is considered rude to stare. Prolonged direct eye contact is considered impolite or even intimidating.

·         It is considered rude to stand with your hand or hands in your pockets, especially when greeting someone or when addressing a group of people.

·         The seemingly simple act of exchanging business cards is more complex in Japan because the business card represents not only one's identity but one's station in life. Yours should be printed in your own language and in Japanese.

o   TOUCHING GESTURES

·         The Japanese are not a touch-oriented society, so avoid open displays of affection, touching or any prolonged form of body contact.

·         Queues are generally respected; it is only in crowded train and subway stations where the huge volume of people causes touching and pushing.

o   BECKONING GESTURES

·         It is considered insulting to point to someone fingers extended and the thumb folded into the palm.

·         To beckon someone, the palm faces downward and the fingers are moved in a scratching motion.

o   OTHER NONVERBAL GESTURES

·         Because of the high regard for graciousness and restraint, one should not shout, raise the voice in anger, or exhibit any excessively demonstrative behavior.

·         Among the Japanese, smiling often can cover a gamut of emotions: happiness, anger, confusion, apologies, or sadness.

·         Displaying an open mouth (such as yawning or a wide-open laugh) is considered rude in Japan, especially with women who cover their mouths when giggling or laughing.

·         Try to maintain a balanced posture stand or sit erectly or squarely. Do not slouch or put your feet on desks or chairs. When seated have both feet squarely on the ground with arms in the lap or on the armrests. Crossing the legs at the knee or ankles is the preferred form rather than with one ankle over the other knee.

·         Silence is perfectly acceptable and customary. Silence (listening) is a sign of politeness and of contemplation. During conversations, be especially careful about interrupting.

·         One way to show concentration and attentiveness is to close the eyes in contemplation and nod the head slight, up and down.

·         Japanese men like to avoid saying "no", but one gesture that is often used tip signal "no" or that "something is very difficult" is to tip the head backward and audibly suck air in through the teeth.

o   OTHER NONVERBAL GESTURES

·         A gesture saying "I do not know," or "I don't understand" or "No, I am un-deserving" is waving the hand back and forth in front of one's own face (palm outward).

·         The "O.K." gesture in Japan may be interpreted as the signal for "money" or "give me change in coins."

·         Blowing your nose in public is considered rude. The handkerchief is used primarily for wiping the mouth or drying the hands when leaving the washroom. Paper tissues are used for blowing the nose and then discarded.

·         When entering a private home or traditional restaurants with tatami (bamboo mats) floors, it is usually customary to remove your shoes and place them with the toes pointing toward the outdoors.

o   BOWING

·         Many westerners view the bow as an act of subservience, but in Japan that would completely wrong. For the Japanese a bow signals respect and humility, two qualities coveted throughout Asia.

·         Although it is not absolutely necessary, but a slight bow demonstrates that you respect their customs. And in Japan, where style and grace and courteousness are revered, that simply act would surely be noted, appreciated, and probably remembered.

  

• KOREA

o   GREETING GESTURES

§  Among themselves, bowing is the traditional form for both greeting and departing.

§  Western and Korean male friends usually greet with both a slight bow and shaking hands. When shaking hands, both hands are sometimes used. Women usually do not shake hands, especially with men, but usually just nod slightly. The senior person offers to shake hands first, but the junior person bows first. However, shake hands with a light grip and perhaps with eyes averted.

§  Avoid hugging and kissing when greeting.

§  Prolonged direct eye contact is considered impolite and even intimidating.

§  Business cards are traded respectfully. Keep the card on the table in front of you as just one small gesture of respect.

§  When saying good-bye, the traditional gesture is the bow, but the younger generation has adopted the western custom of waving good-bye by moving their arm side-to-side.

o   TOUCHING GESTURES

§  Generally speaking, the Koreans are not a touch-oriented society (especially true for visitors.) So avoid touching or any prolonged form of body contact.

§  Public displays of affection are very rare. On the other hand, you may note people of the same sex walking hand-in-hand, which is simply a gesture of friendship.

§  Don't worry about a bit of pushing in stores or when groups board public buses or trains. Apologies are neither offered nor expected.

o   BECKONING GESTURES

§  The open hand or the middle finger is used for pointing.

§  To beckon someone, the palm faces downward and the fingers are moved in a scratching motion. Using the arm and hand up, palm toward the face is used only for calling dogs and children.

o   OTHER NONVERBAL GESTURES

§  Respect is always shown to elderly people, so it is appropriate to rise when a person-- especially an elderly man enters the room or giving up a seat on a subway. However, an elder may not give up a seat for a young boy.

§  Men generally have priority in Korea: Go through a door first, walk ahead of women, and women may help them on with their coats.

§  Among the Koreans, laughter is used to disguise many emotions: anger, frustration, and fear.

§  Loud talking or laughing is usually avoided. Koreans, especially women, will cover their mouths laughing, resulting in giggling rather than wide open-mouth laughing.

§  Periods of silence are common and accepted, even during dinners.

§  Correct posture is important, especially when seated. Don't slouch or put your feet on desks or chairs. Try to maintain a balanced posture, stand or sit erectly or squarely. When seated have both feet squarely on the ground with arms in the lap or on the armrests. Crossing the legs at the knees or ankles is the preferred form rather than with one ankle over the other knee.

§  When walking in public, keep to the left side of the walkway and stairway.

o   OTHER NONVERBAL GESTURES

§  It is considered impolite to enter a room without knocking first. However, Koreans may not wait for you to come to the door and open it. They may knock and then enter.

§  When walking in public places, direct eye contact is uncommon in the larger cities. However, visitors may be the subject of much curiosity and therefore you may notice some stares.

§  Blowing you nose in public is considered rude, especially at a meal. Paper tissues are used for blowing the nose and then discarded.

§  When entering a private home, it is usually customary to remove your shoes.

§  Spitting (except for young women) and burping in public is acceptable.

•  PHILLIPINE

o   GREETING GESTURES

§  Handshaking is the common custom, with both men and women shaking hands in a friendly and informal fashion.

§  Filipinos may greet one another with the "eyebrow flash" which is merely a quick lifting of the eyebrows.

o   TOUCHING GESTURES

§  Generally speaking, the Filipinos are a touch-oriented society.

§  People of the same sex may be seen holding hands in public places, which is simply a gesture of friendship.

§  Don't worry about a bit of pushing and shoving when using public transportation, Filipinos seldom queue or observe orderly lines.

o   BECKONING GESTURES

§  Instead of pointing to an object, Filipinos will shift their eyes toward it, or purse the lips and point with the mouth.

§  To beckon someone, the palm faces downward and the fingers are moved in a scratching motion. Never curl your index finger back and forth because that is considered insulting.

o   OTHER NONVERBAL GESTURES

§  It is considered rude to stare. Prolonged direct eye contact is considered impolite and even intimidating.

§  Respect is always shown to elderly people.

§  Among the Filipinos, laugher is used to convey both enjoyment and pleasure but also to mask embarrassment over another person's misfortune.

§  Speaking in a loud voice is considered ill-mannered and rude.

•  TAIWAN

o   GREETING GESTURES

§  The western custom of shaking hands is spreading rapidly and is now probably the customary form of greeting, but often a nod of the head is sufficient. Hugging and kissing when greeting are uncommon.

§  Repeatedly blinking the eyes at someone is considered impolite.

§  Business cards are often exchanged, but it is considered impolite to "scrutinize" card in their presence; place it near you for reference rather than quickly putting it aside or in your pocket. Also it is more respectful to present your card (or a gift or any other article) using both hands.

§  One gesture of special respect for the elderly is to cover your left fist with your right hand or place palms together, and raise both hands to your heart.

                                 

o   TOUCHING GESTURES

§  Generally speaking, the Taiwanese are not a touch-oriented society.

§  Public displays of affection are very rare. On the other hand, you may note people of the same sex walking hand-in hand, which is simply a gesture of friendship.

o   BECKONING GESTURES

§  The open hand is used for pointing (not just one or two fingers).

§  To beckon someone, the palm faces downward and the fingers are moved in a scratching motion. Never use the index finger, palm up and toward you, in a back and forth curling motion toward your body. That gesture is used only for animals.

§  Also, avoid using your feet to gesture or move or touch other objects because the feet are considered lowly and dirty.

o   NONVERBAL GESTURES

§  Great respect is afforded the elderly, so it is important to let your actions reflect this. Speak to them first, hold doors open for them, rise when they enter a room, give up your seat if no others are available, remove glasses (especially sunglasses) when addressing them, etc.

§  Posture is important, so don't slouch or put your feet on desks or chairs.

§  The gesture to indicate "no" is to lift your hand to face level, palm facing outward, and moving it back and forth like a windshield wiper, sometimes with a smile.

§  Loud, boisterous, or rude behavior is a strong taboo in Taiwan, however loudness may be accepted in restaurants.

•   INDONESIA (JAVANESE)

o   GREETING GESTURES

§  Shaking hands, when we meet with someone who the same age we ought to do it.

§  Kissing the hand on the head, when we meet someone who older than me we ought to do it. Impolite when we don’t do it to the older.

o   TOUCHING GESTURE

§  Same like the greeting gesture, shaking hand and kissing the hand on the head is commonly done.

o   BECKONING GESTURE

§  When we walk in front of people especially to the older we ought to bow or beckoning our body. Impolite when we don’t do it.

  

Chapter III

CONCLUSSION

      Every country has different culture. Automatically most of the thing will be different such as the greeting, beckoning, touching and nonverbal gestures, although some of it has the same meaning.

INTERFERENCES

Fieg, John and Lenore Yaffee. Adjusting to the U.S.A. Meridian House International, Washington, D.C. (1977)

Harris, Philip R. And Robert T. Moran. Managing Cultural Differences. Gulf Publishing Co., Houston. (1977).