Thursday, July 17, 2008
Odessa Reis, 2007 graduate, found herself in an embarrassing social interaction with an American boy who drove her to school. Reis, a native of Brazil, showed her appreciation and friendship the way she would in her country, by kissing his cheek. He froze in surprise and confusion while his friend watched from inside the car.
Reis knew cheek kissing was uncommon between friends in the U.S. But she said it was her natural response and was difficult to repress.
Students experience cultural differences in physical communication when they study abroad or travel to different countries. Reis’ story is just one example of the misunderstandings that can occur between people of two different cultures.
Jeffrey Hall, associate professor of communication studies, said while business communication, such as handshaking, has become more common among professionals around the world, the types and rules of physical communication were often culturally specific.
Greetings in different countries often involve physical communication, such as hugging and kissing.
Cheek kissing is a common way of saluting friends in several places around the world, including Brazil, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy and Spain.
Reis said while many Americans hugged when they met friends, Brazilians kissed on their friends’ cheek to greet. She said usually men wouldn’t kiss each other.
Brenna Daldorph, Lawrence junior, said people would kiss each other in France even though they were introduced for their first time. Daldorph, who spent a semester in Angers, France, said the tradition helped break awkwardness between people.
“It’s really a nice way of building a contact,” Daldorph said.
Hall said closeness was also influenced by culture along with other factors, such as relationships, preferences of individuals and gender. For example, people from Southern Europe and Latin America touch more than people from Northern Europe, Northern America or East Asia.
Stephanie Mattingly, Overland Park graduate student, spent a semester in Italy and said that when she talked to friends in a bar or coffee shop, she found people used less personal space. When she asked for directions from Italians, they sometimes grabbed her arm abruptly and dragged her to the place.
“It’s their way of helping and being friendly,” Mattingly said.
Kazufumi Shinjo, Naha, Japan, senior, said during conversations, Americans often sat closer to each other than the Japanese.
Differences in physical communication can cause misunderstandings and awkwardness without awareness and cautious observation of different cultures.
Josie Ho, Macau, China, sophomore, said Chinese culture involved less physical interaction than American culture. Ho said she felt uncomfortable when she was hugged and greeted by a man with whom she rarely talked.
Making eye contact and smiling at strangers can be misleading. Adrienne Harris, lecturer of Russian, said men could interpret it as a signal of interest and seduction in Russia, even though women only meant to be polite and friendly.
Maria Carlson, professor of Slavic languages and literature, said observing natives and imitating their actions would help students adjusting to a different environment.
“The best behavior is to keep your eyes open,” Maria said. “And watch to see how people interact around you.”
However, Carlson said respecting different cultures did not mean students had to follow all the rules and participate in everything natives did.
“There are other ways to show pleasure at greeting,” She said. “You don’t have to duplicate the culture.”
Reis said she was aware that Americans preferred to have more personal space, but she sometimes became physically expressive. She said she hoped that she would not give wrong impression and hoped people would be more accepting of different cultures.
— Edited by Rustin Dodd
Ho: Social cue ignorance offensive
By not knowing proper social rituals, you could embarrass yourself.
Sealed with a kiss
A brief investigation into kissing and why we do it
My two worlds
How one KU student is learning to live in two different cultures.
Daldorph named first Hall Center Scholar
Lawrence sophomore Breanna Daldorph’s time spend in the Hall Center for the ...
Hawk Week event shows campus multiculturalism
“Take Over the Beach” lets students explore the University’s ethnic and cultural ...
Foreign students bring culture to campus
Students from across the globe have come to the University and brought ...
Striving for parental acceptance
Gay and lesbian students at the University of Kansas have revealed their ...
Chinese students adjusting to life in Kansas
Acclimating to American culture has its challenges, but the adjustment process can ...
Culture shock
Traveling far from home can jolt your system and derail your confidence, ...
Study abroad sets students up for success
Deadline to apply for summer, fall and 2009-2010 academic year programs is ...
Home away from home for the holidays
Homestay program brings together international students and American families for Thanksgiving.
In My World
I feel torn. I have to choose between the Deaf-World and the ...
See the World... One Couch at a ...
CouchSurfers explain why staying with strangers is the best way to travel
Malicious Intimacy
Four students' experiences with domestic violence.
Far from home
International students talk about what it’s like to be the new kids ...
Who's who at KU
English student adjusts to different kind of English
Depression plagues college students
Young people’s transition from high school to college often forces them to ...
The more the merrier
Grant will allow Spencer Museum of Art ...
The $1.2 million grant puts the University in a league with schools ...
Fan, age 92, tells of love, basketball
Margaret Shirk, 1939 graduate, and her husband have been longtime followers of ...
Your brain on the Book
The psychological appeal and effect of Facebook
Campus black student union provides solidarity and ...
The black student union provides a gateway to greater opportunities beyond KU
Basketball team greets fans at Hyvee Hawk ...
The University of Kansas women's basketball team entertained young fans before the ...
International students celebrate differences with Awareness Week
World Expo will give visitors a look at cultural aspects of 30 ...
Mexican Fiesta funds support spanish language class
The 26th annual Mexican Fiesta at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, ...
Global Partners program seeks members
The program matches American and International students for social events.
Former volleyball star goes pro in France
Kansan volleyball player Emily Brown sets to play volleyball in France this ...
Miyakawa: Just a girl who can’t see ...
Stand up for yourself and don't worry so much about what other ...
International students arrive, learn
Islam Week targets misunderstood beliefs
9/11 put a harsh stamp on Islam. With the help of Islam ...
The science of attraction
Use Darwin as your wingman: Evolutionary theory unlocks the secrets to attraction.
KU student uses research to help Navajo ...
Nasbah Ben, Chinle, Ariz., graduate student, researches air quality in the Four ...
New handbook to help international women
International Women Connect is an organization on campus that helps international students ...
Kansan’s Pride Week coverage dissapointing; needs controversy ...
Student film hits international scene
Sandra Ristovska created a film about how globalization and modernization have affected ...
The Greek Divide
Kelsey Schepmann studies the history hanging on the walls of the Gamma ...
Holtz: French protests highlight American political apathy
Do Americans no longer feel capable of making a difference?
Regan: this reporter misinterprets Irish charm
Before she begins to study abroad, Kayla Regan learns how some Irish ...
BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag
For more than just sack lunches
Students, faculty share mixed feelings on diversity
Despite the number of minority students increasing over the past 10 years, ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Sending mixed signals?
So I can seduce a russian man just by making eye contact and smiling? Count me in!!!!1
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID