4.4. Choose and display suitable and effective communication actions. Readings
Understanding Proxemics: Culture and personal space
Developed by anthropologist Edward T. Hall, proxemics refers to how different cultures perceive and use personal space.
For example
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In low-contact cultures (e.g., many Northern European and East Asian societies), people may prefer greater physical distance, minimal touch, and restrained facial expression during interactions.
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In high-contact cultures (e.g., Latin American, Mediterranean, and some Middle Eastern contexts), closer physical proximity, expressive gestures, and frequent eye contact may be the norm.
A culturally responsive lecturer takes these differences into account both in physical and digital spaces. In person, this might mean adjusting proximity and movement depending on students’ comfort. In online environments, it might involve modulating eye contact (via camera), using visual gestures deliberately, or even choosing to keep the camera off to reduce pressure.
Gestures also vary in meaning. A thumbs-up or a beckoning motion may be positive in one culture but offensive in another. Overusing hand movements or making direct pointing gestures may cause discomfort in cultures that value formality or group harmony. The goal is not to avoid all expressions, but to remain observant, adaptable, and context aware.