American Body Language: Helping Your Learner Make a Good First Impression

Some practical advice to help your learner better understand U.S. conventions around body language.

Besides teaching your learner vocabulary, grammar and spelling, you can help your learner better understand typical U.S. body language and gestures.

Here are some body language conventions you might consider passing along to your learner.

Eye contact:

Let your learner know how highly Americans value making consistent eye contact in face-to-face introductions and conversations, and why. Typically, Americans interpret eye contact to show interest and attentiveness. 

Explain to your learner that if she doesn't make eye contact when meeting someone for the first time, she may be perceived as unfriendly, disinterested or disengaged. (Paradoxically, in many Asian cultures, minimum eye contact is a sign of respect, whereas some African and Latin American cultures consider extended eye contact confrontational. In Middle Eastern cultures, intense eye contact to an extent that may be uncomfortable for Americans is a symbol of trust and sincerity.*) Explain that in the U.S., frequent eye contact is your learner's best bet.

Handshakes:

Americans typically introduce themselves with a firm right-handed handshake, preferring a firm handshake over a limp one. Americans may be taken aback by the warm, affectionate double-handed handshakes used by many Latin-American cultures. If your learner is Latino, let your learner know that an American may misinterpret his friendly gesture as too intimate. Muslims and Asians prefer loose handshakes because they interpret firm handshakes as aggressive.*

In short, a combination of frequent eye contact and a good, firm handshake is ideal, and often expected, in the U.S.!

The best way to let your learner know about typical American body language is neutral and informative, keeping in mind that your learner may be embarrassed. Simply inform your learner so that he or she may be aware of some helpful tips to keep in mind when meeting someone for the first time.

If this topic intrigues you, you can read more about body language in different cultures and increase your own cross-cultural awareness!

Happy tutoring!

Jiyoung

Jiyoung Song
Programs and Social Media Intern, English At Large
Dartmouth College, Class of 2016

*These facts come from an online source.

ENGLISH AT LARGE
Literacy and Learning for Life
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