Body Language and Culture

Using body language we can communicate with different langeage speakers.  But it is not always ture because our body language, gestures are related with our culture. For example, making thumb up has similar meaning in many different countries. tghe common meaning of "thumb up" is " OK", " Good" , " Perfect" and " Well done". However, it must not used in Iran, and Tailand becasue it has very obscene gesture meaning.

We'd better know about American gestures and Taboo when we live in US or as ESL learners or teachers.
A professor who teaches Linguistcs recommands a book named "Dangerous English". This book introduces many taboo words and gestures.  

[Dangerous English by Elizabeth Claire]

We call the body language as a part of paralanguage. Paralanguage includes gesture, facial expression, tone of voice, pitch of voice, and so on. These paralanguage has a important role in our life. Even through paralanguage is non-verbal, it implies sometimes  more than a word. According to research of our communication,  our communication is made with  7 % of language, 38  % of voice, and 55  % of body alnguage.