Body language, to me, is such a significant sector of language and culture. Especially for those of us who are more 'artistic' with our hand gestures. More gesturally inclined I like to call it. Speaking with my language partner over the weekend I not only learned a few of the hand gestures common to Iran but I also learned of surprising body language similarities Iran shares with Western society. This similarity I think is primarily because of globalization, especially of common Western behaviors.
My language partner shared with me the commonality of sharing kisses between peoples with greetings. Now this is something typical of most cultures, however, the number of kisses shared and the placement differs by location and location. Susan explained that in Iran they share three or more and up to five kisses one per cheek repeatedly. Practice of this by sex is another thing that sets Iranians apart compared to other places. Woman usually share the multiple kisses between one another while men will kiss each other on the cheek but usually only once. Men and women who are friends or strangers never kiss on the cheek in greeting. This gesture is only shared between relatives usually.
I interpreted this part of gesture to support the surrounding culture in Iran because there are stricter separations between the sexes. Gestures and body language are so significant because of situations such as physical human interaction where in one culture things, like kisses on the cheek between the opposite sex are acceptable whereas in other places is is strictly unheard of.
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