Body language is the quiet, secret and most powerful language of all!
In fact, nonverbal communication takes up about fifty percent of what we usually mean. And body language is especially important when we try to communicate across cultures.
Indeed, what is called body language is so much a part of us that it’s actually often unnoticed. And misunderstandings happen as a result of it. For example, different cultures treat the distance between people differently. Northern Europeans usually do not like having bodily contact, even with friends, and certainly not with strangers. People from Latin American countries, on the other hand, touch each other quite a lot. So it’s possible that in conversation it may look like a Latino is following a Norwegian(挪威人)all over the room. The Latino, trying to express friendship, will keep moving closer. The Norwegian, very probably seeing this as rude behaviour, will keep backing away, which the Latino will in return regard as coldness.
Obviously, a great deal is going on when people talk. And only a part of it is in the words themselves. And when parties are from different cultures, there’s a strong possibility of misunderstanding. But whatever the situation, the best advice is to obey the golden rule: Treat others as they would like to be treated.
【小题1】You may find the passage in ________.| A．a science magazine | B．a guide book |
| C．a sports newspaper | D．a storybook |
| A．The Norwegian keeps moving closer. |
| B．The Latino’s being indifferent to the Norwegian. |
| C．The Norwegian keeps backing away. |
| D．The Latino’s way of expressing friendship. |
| A．languages | B．friends |
| C．cultures | D．countries |
| A．shake hands with him | B．give him a hug |
| C．refuse him | D．kiss him |
