| 1. |
In Paragraph A, the authors discuss how
people can misinterpret nonverbal language that is culturally different
from their own. Has this ever happened to you? Describe what took
place and your reactions to the incident. |
| 2. |
In Paragraph C, the authors describe a
study that found that 93 percent of a person's attitude was communicated
nonverbally and only 7 percent with words. If this study were done
in your country, do you think the results would be the same? Explain
your answer. |
| 3. |
The authors discuss the expression of emotion
in Paragraph D. Do people from your culture show their happiness and
sadness openly? What cross-cultural similarities and differences in
the area of facial expressiveness have you observed? |
| 4. |
Do you think it is important to understand
other cultural communication styles? Explain your answer. In Paragraph
F, what do the authors suggest that people do to understand other
cultural styles of communication better? |
| 5. |
In Paragraph H, the authors tell us that
not all gestures are universal. What gestures do you know of that
have the same meaning in more than one culture? What gestures have
different meanings across cultures? |
| 6. |
In Paragraph J, the authors tell us that
Americans smile at strangers, although this is not so common in big
cities. Why do you think this is true? What is your experience? |
| 7. |
What explanation for an American teacher's
difficulty in a Japanese classroom do the authors suggest in Paragraph
K? What advice would you give a new American teacher in Japan? |
| 8. |
According to the authors' statements in
Paragraph L, should people judge others according to their own cultural
norms? Do you agree? Why or why not? |
| 9. |
What is the American expression about eye
contact that is quoted in Paragraph N? Why is it not a universal belief? |
| 10. |
In Paragraph O, the authors describe conversational
distance as the space that forms "invisible walls" around
a person. If someone is standing too close to you (because of that
person' culture practice), what would you do or say? Would you inform
that person? Would you use verbal or nonverbal communication? Explain
your answer. |