Body Language & Behavior Customs: East & West" from Arnaud van der Veere (2012)

Arnaud van der Veere Podcast

The document "Body Language & Behavior Customs: East & West" from Arnaud van der Veere (2012) explores the nonverbal ways people communicate across different cultures, particularly focusing on differences between Eastern and Western societies. Authored by Arnaud van der Veere, the text emphasizes that body language, or nonverbal communication, forms a large portion of how humans express themselves, estimating that 75-80% of communication is nonverbal.
A key theme in the book is the cultural gap in interpreting body language between East and West, highlighting challenges that arise when people from these regions interact. The author addresses topics like gestures, facial expressions, and public behaviors, offering insights into how cultural backgrounds shape these actions. For instance, Chinese body language is often more subtle and restrained compared to more expressive Western body language.
The book also touches on specific situations such as business meetings, public etiquette, and interpersonal relations, analyzing how body language plays a crucial role. Additionally, it explores how body language has evolved through history, from basic survival gestures to more refined, socially conditioned movements.
In a practical sense, the text offers guidance on observing and interpreting body language in different contexts. It suggests that understanding these nonverbal cues can improve communication and foster better relationships, particularly in multicultural settings.

Support the show