Module 2: Awareness of ASEAN Cultures
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Reading Text & Presentation
2.2 Universal nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication consists of gesture, touch and eye contact. Sometimes, tone of voice, body language, eye contact and facial expression can often be more important than what is actually said. In this module the universal body language will be mainly focused on the ASEAN region. Although it is called universal body language, there are some exceptions. The universal body language is as follows:
- Nod our heads for "Yes." and shake them for "No." However, in Bulgaria, Turkey, Yugoslavia and Albania for example, the reverse is true and the nodding of the head indicates "No."
- Shaking hands is practically a universal greeting around the world.
- A circle made with thumb and index finger is considered to signify ‘OK’ in many western countries.
- Crossing your arms may mean you're distant, insecure, anxious, defensive, or stubborn.
- The “shoulder shrug” means I don’t know or “whatever” or “it doesn’t matter to me.”
- Beckoning with upturned palm and moving the finger(s) means “Come here.”
However, the universal body language as stated above can’t be applied to ASEAN. In the 10 nations in ASEAN, they have similar nonverbal communication, but some might indicate something different, and some of them may be considered rude.
| Universal body language (Western culture) | ASEAN body language |
| 1. Shaking hands is practically a universal greeting. | Some ASEAN cultures prefer to bow like Vietnamese and Cambodians, and some prefer to place their palms together at chest level or in front of the face like Thais and Laotians. |
| 2. Touching or patting the head especially with children, is seen as a friendly gesture in western cultures. | Touching the head is inappropriate in many ASEAN cultures. |
| 3. A circle made with thumb and index-finger is considered to signify ‘OK’ in many western countries. | Beckoning with a curled finger is seen as rude in China, Malaysia and Singapore, and it can get you arrested in the Philippines. |
| 4. Hands on the hips can make you bigger and more noticeable as you use more space. | If you stand with your hands on your hips, it will mean you are angry to Filipinos. On the other hand, Indians standing with their hands on their hips in Malaysia have their own unique way to show agreement. |
| 5. Hugging, holding hands while walking, and touching (with the same sex or the opposite sex) show their relationships and they seem to show their love and care for someone. Therefore, in western culture men and women can show affection in public. | In many ASEAN countries, touching between men and women is not appropriate in public. |
| 6. If you sit with your legs crossed, ankle over knee, you're confident and dominant. | Sitting with your legs crossed showing the soles of the feet may also cause offense to someone who originates from Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia. |
Greeting ASEAN languages
| Country | English | Thai |
| Brunei | Salamat Datang | ซาลามัต ดาตัง |
| Cambodia | Shuo Sa Dai | ซัวสเด |
| Indonesia | Salamat Siang | ซาลามัต เซียง |
| Laos | Sabaidee | สะบายดี |
| Malaysia | Salamat Datang | ซาลามัต ดาตัง |
| Myanmar | Mingalar Par | มิงกาลาบา |
| Philippines | Kumusta | กูมุสตา |
| Singapore | Ni Hao | หนีห่าว |
| Thailand | Sawadee | สวัสดี |
| Vietnam | Xin Chao | ซินจ่าว |
There are no right or wrong signals, only cultural differences. Lack of cultural understanding can lead to disharmony among people from different cultures. When we know what to look for, such encounters with other cultures can actually be very interesting, fascinating and fun. Moreover, there are some unique body languages which may have some meanings for only one or two countries. Study the body language below;
1) Crossing your fingers in Vietnam
Many western cultures make this gesture when wishing for good luck. A hand with the index and middle fingers crossed is even the logo for the UK’s National Lottery. But in Vietnam, this is an obscene gesture, especially when done while looking at or addressing another person. The crossed fingers are said to resemble female genitals.
2) Interesting gestures in Thailand
The ‘thumbs up’ gesture of agreement or approval is an easy reflex when language barriers are at play. It is also a gesture of hitch-hiking for a lift in Greece. However, try to avoid it in Thailand in some situations though, as it’s a sign of condemnation. It is also typically a child’s gesture.
Another one that is perhaps unique to Thailand is sticking out your tongue to people who have sore eyes; it means you are preventing yourself from getting the sore eyes.
Do not step on a doorstep when entering a temple or a chapel because Thais believe that some kind of gods reside in the doorstep; stepping there will offend those gods.
When passing in front of an elderly or more senior person in Thailand, Thais will lower the upper body slightly.
3) Beckoning in the Philippines
Curling your index finger to say “come here” is a no-no in many ASEAN countries. In the Philippines, this gesture is only used for dogs. To use it with a person is considered rude.
(Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com/gabrielakruschewsky/simple-gestures-that-might-be-highly-misunderstood-abroad retrieved 30/1/2014)
4) Two unique gestures of Indians in Malaysia
There are three main races in Malaysia: Malay, Chinese and Indian. Each culture has its own customs, but the two unique gestures are from the Indians.
- When a person stands with their hands on their hips Indians in Malaysia show agreement.
- Indians moving their head quickly from side to side means “Yes.” but is often misread as “No.”
5) Indonesian pointing
When pointing at something, Indonesians will point with their thumb extended, instead of the index finger.
6) Handing with the right hand in Myanmar
The left hand is considered unclean or dirty in Myanmar. Therefore, any time you hand an item or pass something to someone, you have to use your right hand. If you want to be more polite, cradle your right elbow with your left hand as you extend your right arm.
(Source: http://twotravelaholics.com/2013/06/23/5-ways-to-make-the-most-out-of-myanmar/ retrieved 30/1/2014)
7) Waving the hand in Laos
When Laotians wave their hand at us, it doesn’t mean they want us to go away, it means they are calling us.
8) Pointing with their right thumb in Brunei
In Brunei people will point with the thumb of their right hand. The other fingers of that same hand should be folded under the thumb.
(Source: http://blog.asiahotels.com/tourism-in-brunei/ retrieved 30/1/2014)
9) High context in Cambodia
Cambodians will avoid starting confrontations in public, preferring to subtly refer to the desired outcome through words and gestures. Cambodia is considered a very ‘high context’ society.
(Source: http://www.retireinasia.com/people-and-culture-in-cambodia/ retrieved 30/1/2014)
10) Bubble trouble in Singapore
Chewing gum in Singapore is extremely frowned upon. One too many people started discarding their gum inappropriately in the subway, cars and on the streets, and the impeccably clean country just didn’t want to have it. So if you chew the gum and discard it inappropriately you might have to pay a fat fine.
(Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com/gabrielakruschewsky/simple-gestures-that-might-be-highly-misunderstood-abroad retrieved 30/1/2014)
Gesture Vocabulary |
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to stamp (one's foot/feet) |
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