India

India
India offers a variety of gestures. It has a long history of tolerance, and has accomidated a variety in culture, and cross-cultural communication. India is grounded in tradition. Even among young Indian Yuppies, there are distinctly Indian ways of doing things - such as the proper handshake, proper bow, and the right way to respect elders. They normally make eye contact, anywhere between 40% - 60% of the time while communicating with others. Anything less than 40% is seen as “shifty” and “unsure”, while anything over 60% is bordering on staring and intimidating. Maintaining eye contact is difficult for some people. Eye contact is also very cultural. Many Asian cultures like India, consider a direct eye contact rude and disrespectful while most Western countries interpret is as a sign of openness and honesty. There is also a gender angle to making eye contact!


 * Pro:** In India, gestures are used as signs of respect and they are far more used to respect than speaking verbally. They are also helpful if you cannot remember the language or how to pronounce the words.
 * Con:**Tourists quickly realize that the head wobble so common here means "yes" and not "no". Similarly, some Western gestures can be misinterpreted. The Western gesture for come here palm face up and moving as if you are throwing salt over your shoulder would be considered rude in India. The comparable Indian gesture is with the palm facing down and moving like you're doing the 'dog paddle'.

Gestures are formed by movements of the facial muscles, head, limbs or body. These movements may express or emphasize a thought, feeling, or mood. They may accompany speech or may be used in the place of speech as found among deaf-mutes, among people who do not know each other's language, or among those who have taken a vow of silence and so on. In addition to their use as an accompaniment to speech and their use as an independent means of communication (in place of language) between individuals and groups, gestures are also frequently used in the aesthetic acts, in the theatre and dance, and in religious and/or secular ceremonies....[]
 * Article:**

"Remember that the world as defined by your own culture is only one manifestation of reality. Other perspectives are also valid, and certain elements of a different culture may actually suit your personality better than those you were raised with. Try and be aware of the positive aspects of the cultures you travel through. These could be the most valuable souvenir you return home with." www.Indax.com

media type="youtube" key="unipffCFDKQ" height="251" width="329"media type="youtube" key="-JXtVc6tVSE" height="252" width="336" This represents how many people use these simple gestures on a daily average in India.



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