Politeness and Intercultural Communication - Essay Example

Japanese and Indonesian communication culture is more indirect and implied. Much emphasis is placed on the non-verbal form of communication. For example, the Japanese place emphasis on their bowing, not only as a sign of hospitality but also as a way to communicate or get the attention of others. In Indonesia, the offering of beverages or refreshments, and the timing and the manner of drinking them help indicate whether the talk of business is over or is still ongoing.Politeness in the United States is generally leaning towards the verbal, and will typically be very open or explicit.

One form of politeness in the United States is the usual regard of always saying ‘thank you’ as a proper courtesy for being given help. In the United States, it is polite to address people in the workplace setting with honorifics such as ‘Ms.’, ‘Mrs.’ or ‘Mr.’ among others. Such practice is especially important to superiors. Lastly, another form of politeness in the United States is the practice of keeping distance when it comes to another individual’s personal space, especially in a workplace environment.