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What gestures are considered polite in British and American cultures visualisation

What gestures are considered polite in British and American cultures

Die Geheimnisse der Körpersprache in der englischen Kommunikation: What gestures are considered polite in British and American cultures

Polite gestures in British culture include reserved handshakes, nods, and friendly waves for greetings, maintaining polite physical distance, orderly queuing, saying “please” and “thank you,” and using discretion with personal questions and hugs. In American culture, polite gestures commonly include greetings with handshakes or hugs (not kisses), using polite conditional language in requests, frequent smiling, waving to greet or say goodbye, and manners such as letting others exit first and avoiding double-dipping in social eating.

Polite Gestures in British Culture

  • Handshakes are the standard formal greeting; hugs and cheek kisses are reserved for close friends or family.
  • A polite nod or wave can be used for casual greetings.
  • Maintaining personal space is valued; overfamiliarity is avoided.
  • Queueing orderly is essential.
  • Saying “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” is expected.
  • Hugs and kisses in greetings are less common and more context-specific.
  • Informal greetings like “Alright?” are used, with restrained physical contact. 1, 2, 3

Polite Gestures in American Culture

  • Handshakes and hugs are common greetings, with handshakes favored in formal or professional settings, and hugs for friends or family.
  • Kissing as a greeting is generally avoided and seen as intimate.
  • Use of polite language often includes conditional phrases like “Could you please…?” to convey respect.
  • Smiling frequently is seen as polite and warm.
  • Waving is used to greet or say goodbye.
  • Courtesy behaviors such as allowing others to exit first and avoiding double-dipping in shared food situations are appreciated. 4, 5, 6, 7

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