Cultural Differencesarm touching during an Italian conversation is nothing
more than a way of stopping the listener from raising his
hands and taking the floor. To interrupt an Italian you must
grab his hands in mid air and hold them down. As a compari-
son the Germans and British look as if they are physically
paralysed when they talk. They are daunted when trying to
converse with Italians and French and rarely get an opportu-
nity to speak. French use their forearms and hands when they
talk, Italians use their entire arms and body, while the Brits
and Germans stand at attention.
When it comes to doing international business, smart attire,
excellent references and a good proposal can all become
instantly unstuck by the smallest, most innocent gesture
sinking the whole deal. Our research in 42 countries shows
North Americans to be the least culturally sensitive people
with the British coming in a close second. Considering that
86% of North Americans don't have a passport, it follows that
they would be the most ignorant of international body lan-
guage customs. Even George W Bush had to apply for a
passport after becoming President of the United States so he
could travel overseas. The Brits, however, do travel extensively
but prefer everyone else to use British body signals, speak
English and serve fish and chips. Most foreign cultures do not
expect you to learn their language but are extremely impressed
by the traveller who has taken the time to learn and use local
body language customs. This tells them that you respect their
culture.The English Stiff-Upper-Lip
his gesture relates to pursing the lips to control the face so
that facial expressions are reduced and as little emotion as
Possible is shown. This way the English can give the impres-
sion of being in complete emotional control. When Princes
Philip, Charles, Harry and William walked behind the coffin
of Diana in 1997, they each held the Stiff-Upper-Lip expres-