Haptics In Interpersonal Communication

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Pages: 6

A. Attention material/Credibility Material: Do you ever wonder how weird it would be to go to another country and see how different they communicate through touch?
B. Tie to the audience: As Americans, we can all relate to how haptics works in American culture, but you would be surprised at how different we are from other cultures. Psychologist Dr. Vincent Berger, defines haptics as the study of touch; which includes handshakes, holding hands, kissing, hugging, shoulder pats, brushing arms and so on. All of these can produce positive or negative nonverbal messages to the receiver (Berger, 2005).
C. Thesis and Preview: Today we would like to talk to you about how other cultures differ with haptics in interpersonal communication, whether
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According to Abby George and her article “nonverbal communication”, France is very intimate in the ways they show affection. Instead of high-fives and slaps on the back, they give hugs, kisses and walk hand in hand. French people feel that they can show their real feelings towards close friends. But, hugging is only an option with the people that are close to them. In France, hugs are considered more intimate than kisses. For Americans, it would be weird for a stranger to come up and kiss you when you first meet, and that is how the French feel if you hug them first thing. According to “French Together”, Houy states that the French feel hugging is just too …show more content…
There are four different universal aspects of haptics: professional, social, friendly, and intimate. In American culture, we use touch in all four of these categories. The amount and the way we use haptics varies in each category. We will do handshakes with those we don’t know or maybe a shoulder pat, and with those we do know could include, hugging, kissing, holding hands, high fives, and so on. While we handle touch differently, depending on the environment and person, most don’t mind a certain level of touch, as long as it stays within the boundaries of how well we know each other. However, in other cultures, such as the English culture, haptics isn’t as universal and they prefer to keep touch more private.
1. According to “The English Social Norm,” the English are a very high etiquette when it comes to their haptics. They are a culture that if you are not arm’s length away from a person it is considered aggression. Even in England, they are a “no touch” kind of place; they do not shake hands with anyone unless they are family. The English culture is more of a facial gesture than body movements. They do not like the sign of touch unless you are a family member; then you can shake hands or if you’re a female you will get kissed on the