NON VERBAL LANGUAGE

With respect to non-verbal communication, we found that there are big differences between Colombians and Chinese, for example in physical contact, hand gestures and greetings. With respect to physical contact, according to intenert sources, the Chinese unlike Colombians avoid physical contact, since they keep their distance, the opposite is the case in Colombia, where we are very friendly with physical contact in greeting and in other aspects without this meaning a lack of respect. In the same line we have that in China, greetings are made only by making a reference while in Colombia as in other Latin American countries we use kisses and hugs to greet or a simple handshake. On the other hand, with respect to hand gestures, we have that in Colombia it is very common to point with the index finger, while in China it is frowned upon to make this gesture, so when pointing, it is done with the open palm. Thus, it is evident to us that these two cultures have great differences with respect to non-verbal language and it is important to know it, since we could offend another person by ignorance of their culture.

1022. (2005, March 15). Body language in China Watch your gestures . Protocol and Etiquette. https://www.protocolo.org/internacional/asia/el-lenguaje-del-cuerpo-en-china-cuidado-con-sus-gestos-nuestro-cuerpo-habla-gesticular-discretamente.html 

Raijenstein, L. (2019, October 31). Nonverbal Language varies by Culture. Laura Raijenstein Online Psychology Cabinet; GPO Therapy. https://gabinetedepsicologiaonline.com/el-lenguaje-no-verbal-varia-segun-la-cultura/.