[Summary]Nonverval Behavior:Some Intricate and Diverse Dimensions in Interculture Communication

John Smith lived in New York and just had a vacation in Puerto Rico where people spoke Spanish.He thought that he was fluent enough talking to the nativepeople but considered people there are not organized.He showed the example about going to the largest department store.The salesman turned to greet him as soon as he walked in while he was serving the other customers.Later John was furious seeing that the salesman was interrupted and he needed to wait for his turn.
This is the misunderstanding because John can't "speak" the nonverbal language of Puerto Rico.John assumes every culture is a monochronic pattern of cummunication while people in Puerto Rico is a polychronic concept of time.From John's perspective,time tasks are completed one at a time and there should be an apology if customers are not served in the order of their arrival.However,from Puerto Rico salesman's aspect,he tried to serve all customers at the same time and thought he had down his duty and was polite.It simply is the different ways people use their time and the misunderstanding is easily to occur when they meet.