Shoutbox

1. What is your gender?
   
2. (Optional) Your age and what do you do by occupation?
   
3. Where are you from (country and where in the country) ?
   
4. What is/are your native language(s)?
   
   
5. When you are talking, how far away do you usually stand (or sit) from people? Please give your answers for
   1. family members
      
   2. intimate friends
      
   3. normal acquaintances
      
   4. strangers
   respectively.
   
6. When you are talking, do you (consciously) touch the people you are talking to? If yes, how frequently? Please give your answers for
   1. family members
      
   2. intimate friends
      
   3. normal acquaintances
      
   4. strangers
   respectively.
   
7. Continued: If people touch more frequently (than the answer you gave in the last question), how do you feel?
   
   
8. In your culture, do people usually look at others when in an elevator?
   
9. In your culture, do people try hard not to touch others when in an moderately-to-much-crowded elevator?
   
   
10. Do you look people in the eyes when you are talking to them? Note your answer may vary depending on whom you are talking to; please give your answer as detailedly as possible.
    
11. In your culture, do people maintain frequent (yet not excessive) eye contact when talking to others?
    
    
12. In your culture, what do people do non-verbally, when they first meet someone new? (for example, exchanging handshakes, bowing, ...etc)
    
    
13. Give your ideas about the special meanings (if any) of the following hand/body gestures and facial expressions in your culture:
    1. The OK sign: forefinger and the tumb joining a circle
       
    2. Crossing your fingers
       
    3. Shurgging your shoulders
       
    4. Winking

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mnjul

# What is your gender?
# (Optional) Your age and what do you do by occupation?
# Where are you from (country and where in the country) ?
# What is/are your native language(s)?

# When you are talking, how far away do you usually stand (or sit) from people? Please give your answers for


   1. family members
   2. intimate friends
   3. normal acquaintances
   4. strangers

respectively.
# When you are talking, do you (consciously) touch the people you are talking to? If yes, how frequently? Please give your answers for


   1. family members
   2. intimate friends
   3. normal acquaintances
   4. strangers

respectively.
# Continued: If people touch more frequently (than the answer you gave in the last question), how do you feel?

# In your culture, do people usually look at others when in an elevator?
# In your culture, do people try hard not to touch others when in an moderately-to-much-crowded elevator?

# Do you look people in the eyes when you are talking to them? Note your answer may vary depending on whom you are talking to; please give your answer as detailedly as possible.
# In your culture, do people maintain frequent (yet not excessive) eye contact when talking to others?

# In your culture, what do people do non-verbally, when they first meet someone new? (for example, exchanging handshakes, bowing, ...etc)

# Give your ideas about the special meanings (if any) of the following hand/body gestures and facial expressions in your culture:


   1. The OK sign: forefinger and the tumb joining a circle
   2. Crossing your fingers
   3. Shurgging your shoulders
   4. Winking

---

Its pretty much like the (no wait  .... scrap that )

1. What is your gender? Male
   
2. (Optional) Your age and what do you do by occupation? 17 / Student
   
3. Where are you from (country and where in the country)? Finland, let's just say southwestern part as I doubt the actual name of the area would help you in any way.
   
4. What is/are your native language(s)? Swedish and Finnish
   
   
5. When you are talking, how far away do you usually stand (or sit) from people? Please give your answers for
   1. family members Hmm, this depends on the situation. Sometimes I shout from my room, but more often it's closer than that, so let's say 1-2 meters.
      
   2. intimate friends Same situation here as on the last one, 1-2 meters.
      
   3. normal acquaintances Not quite as close, mabye 2-3 meters.
      
   4. strangers 2-3 meters.
   respectively.
   
6. When you are talking, do you (consciously) touch the people you are talking to? If yes, how frequently? Please give your answers for
   1. family members Never
      
   2. intimate friends Never
      
   3. normal acquaintances Never
      
   4. strangers Never
   respectively.
   
7. Continued: If people touch more frequently (than the answer you gave in the last question), how do you feel? Depends on the person, but it would be a "huh?"-feeling.
   
   
8. In your culture, do people usually look at others when in an elevator? No, unless they know each ohter.
   
9. In your culture, do people try hard not to touch others when in an moderately-to-much-crowded elevator? Yes
   
   
10. Do you look people in the eyes when you are talking to them? Note your answer may vary depending on whom you are talking to; please give your answer as detailedly as possible. Yes, at least I try. It's the same for everyone I talk to, sometimes I might look at something else for a second, but I always try to maintain eye contact.
    
11. In your culture, do people maintain frequent (yet not excessive) eye contact when talking to others? I would say so, yes.
    
    
12. In your culture, what do people do non-verbally, when they first meet someone new? (for example, exchanging handshakes, bowing, ...etc) Shake hands.
    
    
13. Give your ideas about the special meanings (if any) of the following hand/body gestures and facial expressions in your culture:
    1. The OK sign: forefinger and the tumb joining a circle Not used at all
       
    2. Crossing your fingers When you have your fingers crossed behind your back it means you are telling a white lie. It means nothing else (no good luck, like in some ohter countries).
       
    3. Shurgging your shoulders That you don't know or are unsure.
       
    4. Winking Not really that much used, if used it usually means that you have done something clever, told a good joke or something.

1. What is your gender? Male
   
2. (Optional) Your age and what do you do by occupation? 17, I work in a delicatessen, Going to uni next year after finishing school this year
   
3. Where are you from (country and where in the country)? Perth, Western Australia (metropolitan area of the state)
   
4. What is/are your native language(s)? English (although some Australian slang is far from uncommon)
   
   
5. When you are talking, how far away do you usually stand (or sit) from people? Please give your answers for
   1. family members 1-2 metres
      
   2. intimate friends 1-2 metres
      
   3. normal acquaintances 1-2 meters
      
   4. strangers 1-2 metres
   respectively.
   
6. When you are talking, do you (consciously) touch the people you are talking to? If yes, how frequently? Please give your answers for
   1. family members never
      
   2. intimate friends Very rarely
      
   3. normal acquaintances very rarely
      
   4. strangers Never
   respectively.
   
7. Continued: If people touch more frequently (than the answer you gave in the last question), how do you feel? It's uncommon that somebody would do this but they would most likely be a close friend and/or somebody I could trust. Therefore, I am not bothered by it
   
   
8. In your culture, do people usually look at others when in an elevator? Not for an extended time, although a little nod or a quick hi is not uncommon (unless the person is known then yes)
   
9. In your culture, do people try hard not to touch others when in an moderately-to-much-crowded elevator? Generally, yes
   
   
10. Do you look people in the eyes when you are talking to them? Yes, Whether I know the person or not I try to keep a good level of eye contact (without staring). I heard somewhere that the person should have around 70% eye contact and that is a quite average amount for me I guess. Also I think guys would get a little less eye contact from me, I dont know why but I do that.
    
11. In your culture, do people maintain frequent (yet not excessive) eye contact when talking to others? Yes, I like to think that generally people in my 'culture' are quite confident and happy to make eye contact
    
    
12. In your culture, what do people do non-verbally, when they first meet someone new? Handshake is it is a formal introduction (for an informal meeting can be a nod, or just verbal). It is generally accepted in Australia that the handshake should be firm (without squeezing) and hands should be as level as possible (when somebody is angling their hand down during a handshake it is usually an indication of power). For a formal meeting between a man and a woman, or two women, a cheek to cheek kiss (one) is also normal
    
    
13. Give your ideas about the special meanings (if any) of the following hand/body gestures and facial expressions in your culture:
    1. The OK sign: forefinger and the tumb joining a circle Rarely used but an indication of 'good' or 'ok'
       
    2. Crossing your fingers [b]Hoping something will happen (for younger children it can also be used while telling a white lie)
       
    3. Shurgging your shoulders Unsure, also can accompany Can't be bothered on some occations
       
    4. Winking Can be a sign of a good job or can be used as a secret indicator between two people if they dont want a 3rd person to know about something. Also can represent a personal joke between two people

1. What is your gender? Male
   
2. (Optional) Your age and what do you do by occupation? 21, looking for a job, just finished university
   
3. Where are you from (country and where in the country) ? Just outside (30 miles) London, UK
   
4. What is/are your native language(s)? English
   
   
5. When you are talking, how far away do you usually stand (or sit) from people? Please give your answers for
   1. family members Few cms - half a metre
      
   2. intimate friends Few cms - half a metre
      
   3. normal acquaintances Half a metre - three quarters of a metre
      
   4. strangers A metre
   respectively.
   
6. When you are talking, do you (consciously) touch the people you are talking to? If yes, how frequently? Please give your answers for
   1. family members Rarely
      
   2. intimate friends Occasionally
      
   3. normal acquaintances Rarely
      
   4. strangers Never
   respectively.
   
7. Continued: If people touch more frequently (than the answer you gave in the last question), how do you feel? Depends who they are. Most likely "uncomfortable" or like one wants to flinch from the touch.
   
   
8. In your culture, do people usually look at others when in an elevator? They try not to, apart from the first evaluative glance
   
9. In your culture, do people try hard not to touch others when in an moderately-to-much-crowded elevator? Yes
   
   
10. Do you look people in the eyes when you are talking to them? Note your answer may vary depending on whom you are talking to; please give your answer as detailedly as possible. Mostly, yes
    
11. In your culture, do people maintain frequent (yet not excessive) eye contact when talking to others? Not always, but a large cross section of people do
    
    
12. In your culture, what do people do non-verbally, when they first meet someone new? (for example, exchanging handshakes, bowing, ...etc) Shake hands
    
    
13. Give your ideas about the special meanings (if any) of the following hand/body gestures and facial expressions in your culture:
    1. The OK sign: forefinger and the tumb joining a circle "Everything is fine/good"
       
    2. Crossing your fingers This is done for good luck, either for oneself or wishing good luck upon another
       
    3. Shurgging your shoulders "I don't know" or "I don't care"
       
    4. Winking A sort of secret, knowing non-verbal exchange or "good luck" again.

1. What is your gender?
      Male
   
   
2. (Optional) Your age and what do you do by occupation?
      18, unemployed (student)
   
   
3. Where are you from (country and where in the country) ?
      The Netherlands, east part (see world map)
   
   
4. What is/are your native language(s)?
      Dutch
   
   
5. When you are talking, how far away do you usually stand (or sit) from people? Please give your answers for
   1. family members
         1-10 metres (varying by circumstance, e.g. when we're having dinner or when we're both doing different things at different parts of the living room)
      
      
   2. intimate friends
         1-10 metres (the more intimate, the closer together - however, when you're very intimate friends you can also talk to eachother when there's quite a distance between you, e.g. you wouldn't go shouting to a stranger at the other side of the street as easily as you would go shouting to a friend at the other side of the street)
      
      
   3. normal acquaintances
         approximately 1-5 metres (varying by circumstance)
      
      
   4. strangers
         1-3 metres
         Note: the distance is to illustrate that it is more common that there is a big space between two family members than between two strangers. Of course, we are usually closer together than e.g. 10 metres.
   respectively.
   
   
6. When you are talking, do you (consciously) touch the people you are talking to? If yes, how frequently? Please give your answers for
   1. family members
         Not or rarely
      
      
   2. intimate friends
         Occasionally
      
      
   3. normal acquaintances
         Not or rarely
      
      
   4. strangers
         Not
   respectively.
   
   
7. Continued: If people touch more frequently (than the answer you gave in the last question), how do you feel?
      Usually family members don't touch me. When they do (e.g. mother, sister) they're just playing around. Depending on how intimate friends are, they can touch eachother (e.g. lovers). Normal acquaintances touching me are in a good mood/playing around. Strangers touching me are weird
   
   
8. In your culture, do people usually look at others when in an elevator?
      Sometimes - it's not impolite or something, you can smile to someone, but it's also not uncommon to just ignore others (don't look at them).
   
   
9. In your culture, do people try hard not to touch others when in an moderately-to-much-crowded elevator?
      As a kind gesture, yes, but others will understand if you happen to touch them accidentally.
   
   
10. Do you look people in the eyes when you are talking to them? Note your answer may vary depending on whom you are talking to; please give your answer as detailedly as possible.
       I look everyone in their eyes (intimate friends, strangers, ...) when I'm talking to them. When they're talking to me I've noticed I either look into their eyes or focus on their mouth.
    
    
11. In your culture, do people maintain frequent (yet not excessive) eye contact when talking to others?
       Yes. Looking away/not looking at someone means the person is shy or embarassed.
    
    
12. In your culture, what do people do non-verbally, when they first meet someone new? (for example, exchanging handshakes, bowing, ...etc)
       When a stranger asks me the way we don't usually express non-verbal actions. When you'd meet someone like on a meeting you'd shake hands, but that's rather formal. When a mutual friend introduces you to a friend of him/her you'd either simply greet by waving your hand. Shaking hands would quickly be considered formal.
    
    
13. Give your ideas about the special meanings (if any) of the following hand/body gestures and facial expressions in your culture:
    1. The OK sign: forefinger and the tumb joining a circle
          "I've taken care of everything/arrangements were made. You don't need to worry about it."
       
       
    2. Crossing your fingers
          Hoping for the best, e.g. "good luck with your exams, I'll cross my fingers for you". It's also a lame thing to do when you do it behind your back and you're talking to someone, it then means you aren't serious.
       
       
    3. Shurgging your shoulders
          "I don't know/care"
       
       
    4. Winking
          To show that you're joking, not done to strangers/in formal encounters. Also to make eye-contact with someone.

quote:

---

Thanks for your information and time spent

---

1. What is your gender?
   Female.
   
2. (Optional) Your age and what do you do by occupation?
   21, university student.
   
3. Where are you from (country and where in the country) ?
   Estonia (Tallinn).
   
4. What is/are your native language(s)?
   Estonian.
   
   
5. When you are talking, how far away do you usually stand (or sit) from people? Please give your answers for
   1. family members
      0.6 - 2 metres or so.
      
   2. intimate friends
      0.6 - 2 metres again, although everything depends on the situation.
      
   3. normal acquaintances
      1 - 2 metres.
      
   4. strangers
      1.5 - 2 metres? Not sure.
   respectively.
   
6. When you are talking, do you (consciously) touch the people you are talking to? If yes, how frequently? Please give your answers for
   1. family members
      Usually not.
      
   2. intimate friends
      Usually not.
      
   3. normal acquaintances
      No.
      
   4. strangers
      No.
   respectively.
   
7. Continued: If people touch more frequently (than the answer you gave in the last question), how do you feel?
   Depends on who it is that I'm interacting with, so I might feel neutral or slightly uncomfortable.
   
   
8. In your culture, do people usually look at others when in an elevator?
   No, not really. Maybe a quick, casual glance (especially when new person enters), but that's it. No staring.
   
9. In your culture, do people try hard not to touch others when in an moderately-to-much-crowded elevator?
   Quite hard, indeed.
   
   
10. Do you look people in the eyes when you are talking to them? Note your answer may vary depending on whom you are talking to; please give your answer as detailedly as possible.
    Usually I do look people in the eyes, because it gives more information on what they mean, feel, and so on. I only don't look them in the eyes (or rather, don't maintain a constant eye contact) with people I feel uncomfortable speaking with (usually some very 'dominating' kinda lecturers, etc).
    
11. In your culture, do people maintain frequent (yet not excessive) eye contact when talking to others?
    This varies a lot from individual to individual of course. I'd say that mostly people do try to maintain eye contact, but they don't always succeed (mainly cuz they feel uncomfortable or something). But at the same time, if it's not possible to keep eye contact with the other person, it doesn't really hinder communication that much.
    
    
12. In your culture, what do people do non-verbally, when they first meet someone new? (for example, exchanging handshakes, bowing, ...etc)
    Exchanging handshakes (but the more informal the situation, the less the handshaking occurs), and maybe a slight nod of head. Usually no hugging, kissing or bowing.
    
    
13. Give your ideas about the special meanings (if any) of the following hand/body gestures and facial expressions in your culture:
    1. The OK sign: forefinger and the tumb joining a circle
       Everything okay/well done. (It's very rarely used.)
       
    2. Crossing your fingers
       Hoping that something will go well, wishing luck.
       
    3. Shurgging your shoulders
       That you don't know or are unsure.
       
    4. Winking
       Used to indicate some sorta secret or something between two (or more) people, mostly used in a joking manner. Or sometimes a wink accompanies the person's assurance that everything will go well. In some occasions also to catch someone's attention.