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Here's a guide to body-language etiquette around the world

Kathleen Elkins,Mike Nudelman   

Here's a guide to body-language etiquette around the world
Strategy1 min read

The body speaks volumes.

But what it says depends on the culture you're in. Facial expressions, gestures, mannerisms, and degree of eye contact vary greatly across countries.

For example, "Arms, which are used little by Nordics during conversation, are an indispensable element in one's communicative weaponry in Italy, Spain, and South America," writes Richard Lewis in "When Cultures Collide: Leading Across Cultures."

The cultural differences in body language are vast - there are entire books dedicated exclusively to hand gestures - but we've selected a few to create a simple, body-language etiquette guide that highlights some surprising differences, thanks to information from Lewis' book and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA):

Body Language Infographic_02

Mike Nudelman/Business Insider

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