The Differences and Importance of Non-verbal Communication
in Western Business
Abstract: It is a necessary subject for western businessmen to learn how to deal with the relationship between the language, non-verbal communication and the culture in which they do business in order to ensure benign communication. Language is a tool of communication and it’s a carrier of the culture. Non-verbal communication is an indispensable part of communication, but people always pay more attention to verbal communication and ignore the non-verbal communication. This thesis demonstrates the differences and importance of non-verbal communication in western business by comparing the same non-verbal communication symbols which have a completely different meaning in another culture. It also aims to provide a better understanding of non-verbal communication for businessmen.
Key Words: non-verbal communication; western business; importance; differences
非言语交际在西方商务交往中的差异及其重要性
摘 要：在西方商务交往中如何掌握好语言、非言语交际和文化的关系，达到一种良性的沟通，对西方商务人员来说是一门必修的学科。语言是交际的工具，是文化的载体。非言语交际是交际的重要组成部分。人们在交际的过程中往往只注重语言的交际而忽略了非言语的交际。本文通过比较相同的非言语交际的内容在西方不同国家文化中产生的不同的实际意义，通过正反两方面研究论证了在商务交往中非言语交际的差异及其重要性，为从事西方商务交往的人士提供借鉴，从而使商务交往朝有利的方向发展。
关键词：非言语交际；西方商务交往；差异；重要性
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
1. The Definition of Non-verbal Communication and Its Main Contents 1
1.1 What is communication?…………………………………………………………………1
1.2 The Definition of Non-verbal Communication 2
1.3 The Main Contents of Non-verbal Communication 2
2. The Different Meanings of the Categories of Non-verbal Communication While We Do Business in the Cross Cultural Context 2
2.1 Dress and Appearance 2
2.2 Eye Contact 3
2.3 Facial Expression ………………………………………………………….………….4
2.3.1 Smile ………………………………………………………………………………4
2.3.2 Raised Eyebrows………………………………………………………….…………4
2.3.3 Winking……………………………………………………………………………….5
2.4 Personal Space ………………………………………………………………………5
2.5 Touch………………………………………………………………………………………6
2.6 Postures…………………………………………………………………….….…………6
2.7 Gestures…………………………………………………………………….…………7
2.7.1 The OK Sign……………………………………………………………………………7
2.7.2 Thumbs up…………………………………………………………………………….7
2.7.3 The V Sign…………………………………………………………………………….7
2.7.4 Nodding/Shaking Head Left to Right……………………………………….…………8
2.7.5 Chin Flick………………………………………………………………….…………8
2.8 Adornment………….…………………………………………………………………….8
3. The Importance of Non-verbal Communication in the Western Business .9
3.1 Why Is Non-verbal Communication Important?……………………………….……….9
3.2 Why Are Non-verbal Communication Skills So Important?…………………………….9
3.3 The Importance of Non-verbal Communication…………………………………………10
4. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….10
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………….13
