I am currently in China and get a lot of nodding and smiling. The problem is that they do not say yes to anything or even that they understood what I am saying. They plainly acknowledge that I made a noise.
Sorry for being very plain about it, but that's one of the biggest points I had to learn here.
Looking forward to more comments!
Great questions, Samer!
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1 reply by Samer Alhmdan
Aug 15, 2017 6:32 AM
Samer Alhmdan
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Hello Tina,
Thank you for sharing your experience, it is interesting to know some about Chinese culture. I would like to share one example, which may be well known to everyone in the Arab Gulf area and specifically here in Dubai, Shaking head by Asians ( mostly from India ) to the right and left means yes, and it could be understood by majority of other nationalities as No.
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Samer AlhmdanSenior Project Manager, PMP, PMI-RMP, LEED AP, EDGE Expert| darDubai, United Arab Emirates
Aug 15, 2017 4:36 AM
Replying to Tina Schaumburg
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Hello Samer,
I am currently in China and get a lot of nodding and smiling. The problem is that they do not say yes to anything or even that they understood what I am saying. They plainly acknowledge that I made a noise.
Sorry for being very plain about it, but that's one of the biggest points I had to learn here.
Looking forward to more comments!
Great questions, Samer!
Hello Tina,
Thank you for sharing your experience, it is interesting to know some about Chinese culture. I would like to share one example, which may be well known to everyone in the Arab Gulf area and specifically here in Dubai, Shaking head by Asians ( mostly from India ) to the right and left means yes, and it could be understood by majority of other nationalities as No. Saving Changes...
Great topic. In the Middle East I believe you should not sit in such a way that others can see the soles of your shoes, as that will cause offence.
As for yes and no, in Greece "Ne" means Yes. Nodding the head down is "Yes" and nodding it up is "No". Saving Changes...
Antonio UncalProjec Manager| TECNOCONSULTCaracas, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Body language is the best way to transfer information. However, gestures like nodding and smiling can only reflect the reception of the message, but it does not guarantee their partial or complete compression, let alone that it is agreed with it. For this reason, the written request for confirmation of the understanding and/or agreement is mandatory. This applies regardless of the culture background of the actors and is fundamental between different cultures. Saving Changes...
