(Inter)cultural Communication & Nonverbal Communication (general concept)

In last week's class, we explored the topic of non-verbal communication in Japanese culture and how it differs from communication styles in other parts of the world. One of the most notable differences lies in the role of silence. In Japan, staying silent is not interpreted as passive aggression or hostility. Rather, it is understood as a sign of respect and a deliberate way to avoid conflict, which is a value deeply embedded in the culture.

This contrasts sharply with communication norms in Costa Rica, where silence in conversation can be perceived as rude or dismissive. Costa Rican communication tends to be more expressive, with greater use of eye contact and hand gestures to convey meaning and maintain engagement. Confrontation, or at least a more direct response, is more socially acceptable in that context compared to Japan, where maintaining harmony typically takes priority. I myself had a couple of exchanges with japanese people where i had to limit my eye contact and actively try to keep silent on certain topics. I certainly have gotten better at this in the time that I've lived here but it is something that i still keep in mind.

Understanding these differences is valuable not only for academic purposes but also for navigating real intercultural interactions. Non-verbal communication shapes how people interpret respect, engagement, and intent, and assuming these cues are universal can easily lead to misunderstandings.

Matsumoto, D., & Hwang, H. C. (2013). Nonverbal communication: The messages of emotion, action, space, and silence. In D. Matsumoto, M. G. Frank, & H. S. Hwang (Eds.), Nonverbal communication: Science and applications (pp. 3–20). SAGE Publications.