Essay Grade

Jillian Maybee
COM-263
22 April, 2018
Rae Thompson
Non Verbal Communication in Latin America: A Training Guide
When we deliver messages verbally we are conveying the literal meaning of the words
we are speaking. In intercultural settings, non verbal communication is critical in providing
context on how that verbal message is understood. If nonverbal cues are used properly they will
clarify the message, if used improperly, they can cause offense or confusion. Depending on the
culture, non verbal cues can have different meanings and several non verbal cues can be relayed
at the same time. There are specific rules that should be considered, including gender, relational
distance and socioeconomic status to name a few. Latin culture is very different from American
culture and understanding the non verbal cues within the Latin culture is paramount to
assimilating to their way of life and gaining trust and respect. This training guide will assist you
in understanding the nonverbal cues in Spanish culture.
How body motions are interpreted such as gestures and movement of any body part is
called Kinesics. In Latin culture hand gestures mean specific things. A great example of this is
the hand gesture Americans use to signal someone to come closer. Typically Americans turn
their palm upwards and extend and curl their index finger several times. In Spanish countries this
gesture is considered sexual in nature and can be considered as soliciting someone for sex.
How humans use space around them and the effects it has on their communication is
referred to as Proxemics. The personal space Americans keep around themselves when
communicating with others can clash with other cultures. Typically Americans keep
approximately an arms length distance when conversing with others and if someone gets too
close, this can be perceived as an aggressive action. For Latinos it is very much the opposite,
they tend to stand much closer to each other when speaking and if someone maintains a distance
that can be considered rude.
The way people communicate by touch is called Haptic communication. Generally
Americans limit touching to a handshake, especially with strangers and hugs and other intimate
touching is reserved for family members and loved ones. Latinos tend to be more personal with
their greetings. Kisses on the cheek and hugs are common in Latin culture and not just for loved
ones but to anyone they want to extend a welcome.
When speaking, the tone of your voice as well as the inflection, rhythm and pitch while
communicating is called Paralinguistics. Latinos typically speak faster and louder than other
cultures. To other cultures the speaking patterns of Latinos can be misinterpreted as an argument
or a deeply emotional conversation. Also, frequent interruptions by others can be considered
rude in many cultures but that is not the case in Latin culture as it is considered normal and not at
all invasive.
Americans rely on schedules and time is very important in the American culture. It is
considered rude to be late or to miss an appointment. The study of how time is perceived in
communication is called Chronemics. Latinos tend to have a much more relaxed approach to the
scheduling and management of time. This type of relaxed attitude about the use of time makes
Latin culture a Polychronic culture, meaning that their perception of time is very informal, and
they are not driven by any type of schedule or time constraints.
Physical appearance and dress within the Latin culture can relay regional differences,
education and political affiliation, which is much more complex than that of other cultures.
Similar to the Caste systems of India, attire can be indicative of where exactly a person is from
and how wealthy they are. Spanish natives can also distinguish physical features of people that
come from a specific country within the Latino community.
Eye contact in any culture can mean various things. In American culture eye contact is
perceived as respectful and can be interpreted as someone who is honest and trustworthy. In
Latin cultures, direct eye contact is considered threatening and rude. Eye contact in intimate
settings or with close family and friends is considered acceptable, however making eye contact
with strangers while walking down the street, for example, is not acceptable.
Olfactics is the study of smells and how they are perceived by others. In Latin culture
odor is used to communicate. Many Latinos use fragrances to convey their personality and
sometimes smell is used to show love of their family. Fragrances are used to communicate
something about the person, their hygiene, their affluence, etc. Latinos also tend to use very
fragrant cleaning products to communicate to others that they keep a clean house, office, etc.,
and can effectively take care of their house and family.
In conclusion, non verbal cues are very important within the Latin culture and
understanding the meaning of these cues will make your experience a good one, where you can
feel accepted and understand what is going on around you. If you are ever in doubt, please ask
someone. Latinos are very accepting of other cultures and they are happy to help you understand
their way of communicating.
Here is an infographic that can assist you when traveling to Latin countries:
References
Non-verbal Communication. (2016). Imgur. Retrieved 23 April 2018, from

Non-verbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication. (2018). Rpi.edu. Retrieved 22 April 2018, from
https://www.rpi.edu/dept/advising/american_culture/social_skills/nonverbal_communicat
ion/reading_exercise.htm
Spanish culture and nonverbal communication. (2018). Spanishprograms.com. Retrieved 23
April 2018, from http://www.spanishprograms.com/spanish-culture.htm
Jillian Maybee
COM-263
8 April, 2018
Rae Thompson
Stereotypes and Ethnocentrism: The Latino Community in US Media
The ideas of liberty and equality are often presented as the standard of American living,
but in its social relationships, the United States fails to show a truly egalitarian attitude towards
different ethnic and racial groups within the nation. The complexity of the racial and ethnic
relationships is complex. One particular manifestation of these interconnection of structures is the
prevalence of ethnocentrism in the nation’s social, cultural and political landscapes. Ethnocentrism
is a process by which a series negative attitudes of a particular group of people are perpetuated,
including “seeing one’s own group (the in-group) as virtuous and superior” and out-groups as
contemptible and inferior” (Hammond & Axelrod, 2006). For the latino community, this can be
manifested at both an institutional and a cultural level. The former is presented through the
statements of elected officials, who hold particularly contemptuous views on the ethnic group. The
latter, on the other hand, is perpetuated through various social mechanisms. Stereotypes, which are
often reproduced in popular media, in both fictional and real life productions, can aid in this
purpose. As a result, the individuals can begin to internalize the negative conceptions that are
presented about particular ethnic groups. Prejudice is fostered under these conditions which
hinders the relations between groups. As a result, ethnocentrism, and stereotypes as one of its most
insidious manifestations, can be said to create a series of cultural preconceptions that can make
communication difficult between members of the in-group (White Americans) and the out-group
(Latino-Americans).
Though in definition ethnocentrism sounds an abhorrent practice, in reality, the way in
which this systems are perpetuated often go unnoticed. Popular media, for example, is a very
efficient channel for the proliferation of societal ideals. Stereotypes are one of the most common
manifestations of ethnocentrism that is manifested through these channels. They can be defined as
“any collection of trait-names which are found to be appropriate in characterizing a class of
persons” (Vinacke, 2010, p.230). On their own, stereotypes are not meant to be inherently
negative. It is possible for individuals to develop stereotypes about other groups of people without
meaning malicious intent; for example, the assumption that people from France would enjoy
cheese due to the many kinds that are produced in the nation. Though this serves as an example of
an all-encompassing sentence, that might be reductive for some French individuals, it is not meant
to be inherently pejorative. Some of the racial stereotypes that are presented about Latino
individuals, and other ethnic groups, on the other hand, do carry these connotations.
In film and series, for example, the representation of the Latino community is not usually
favorable — though, in recent years, attempts have been made to include a more humanizing
perspective of the community. It should be noted, too, that the representation of the latino
community is also limited. In the early 2000s, though the latino community made up 12.5% of the
nation’s population, only 1% to 3% of the characters presented in primetime television were latino
(Mastro & Behm-Morawitz, 2005). When latino characters are included, their characters are not
often portrayed benevolently. Male latino characters, in particular, are often presented as
participants in stories that relate to criminal activities and will be more involved in conversations
about crime and violence than people of other ethnic groups (Rivadeneyra, et al., 2007). Similarly,
latino individuals are presented as being disorderly and defiant of authority. The representations
of men and women will differ, as well. The way in which latino women and latino men are
presented are a bit different. Men will be portrayed as less intelligent and hot-tempered: women
will be portrayed as lazier and having a poorer work ethic (Rivadeneyra, et al. 2007). When these
negative concepts of latino individuals are presented, over and over, in the media that is consumed,
they can quickly become a societal constant.
The existence of negative stereotypes can have a detrimental effect in inter-group
communication. The portrayals of the latino community in popular media can become internalized
by the population, to varying degrees. These notions are bound to be present in almost any
individual; the Latino community, too, will be have their own set of stereotypes for White
Americans. It is necessary, therefore, to challenge these preconceptions, in an effort that could
serve to both enhance the communication process and ease on the popular, stereotypic conceptions
of the community. To do this, the latino community needs to be presented in a less prejudiced
notion. Against popular conceptions, the Latino community tends to lean towards the acceptance
of power as a beneficial tool for society (Liu, 2016). While this is often translated unto criminal
organizations in mediatic appearances of latino people, in reality, this tendency should point
towards a more orderly and respectful community, as it is a high power-distance culture. The fact
that Latino culture also leans towards high uncertainty avoidance, making it more prone to the
acceptance of rules and structures (Liu, 2016), add another layer of contradiction to these popular
presentations. The differentiations made between men and women, though, can be said to hold
some weight; not in their presentation of latino men and women, but in the need to differentiate
between the expectations of both. As latino culture can be patriarchal in nature, the traits of
aggression, violence and power can be expected of the men in the subgroup. However, the
portrayal of women as being lax in their work ethic, would be contradictory to the cultural
paradigms imposed on women, which require their due diligence and service.
The internationalization of stereotypes, and the larger ethnocentric notions that come with
it, can even get in the way of common interactions between individuals. Even when there exists
an awareness of their interaction within society and the detrimental effects that can be brought
upon marginalized communities, unlearning societal notions is not an easy task. As a result, these
notions can become included into our daily interactions. Personally, I have found myself having
subconscious reactions that would fall under these stereotypical notions.
References
Hammond, R. A., & Axelrod, R. (2006). The Evolution of Ethnocentrism. Journal of Conflict
Resolution, 50(6), 926-936. doi:10.1177/0022002706293470
Journal of Social Psychology, 46:2, 229-243, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.1957.9714322
Liu, M. (2016). Verbal Communication Styles and Culture. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of
Communication. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.162
Mastro, D. E., & Behm-Morawitz, E. (2005). Latino Representation on Primetime Television.
Journalism
&
Mass
Communication
Quarterly,
82(1),
110-130.
doi:10.1177/107769900508200108
Rivadeneyra, R., Ward, L. M., & Gordon, M. (2007). Distorted Reflections: Media Exposure and
Latino Adolescents Conceptions of Self. Media Psychology, 9(2), 261-290.
doi:10.1080/15213260701285926
Vinacke, Edgar W. (1957) Stereotypes as Social Concepts, The

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