“Differences in Cross-Cultural Nonverbal Communication” Survey
Dear participants,
This questionnaire is designed to investigate cross-cultural differences in nonverbal communication and
culture shocks in nonverbal communication experienced by international instructors in Taiwan. The
following includes three parts and will take about 10-15 minutes of your time. Thank you for participation
and contributions, and please be assured that the collected information is only for research purpose.
Researcher: Yin-Chien (Connie) Chen, Graduate Institute of Applied Foreign Languages, National Yunlin
University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Advisor: Cheng-Ji Lai, Ph.D., Department of English, National Taichung University of Education, Taiwan,
R.O.C.
Part I: Demographic Information
1. Gender:_____________
2. Nationality:________________
3. Length of Stay/Residence in Taiwan: __________________
※Please rate your culture shock level based on when you first arrived Taiwan. If it's your first time to
know some of the nonverbal expressions, please image your culture shock level towards them.
Part II: Cross-Cultural Differences and Culture Shocks in Nonverbal Communication
(1) Cross-Cultural Differences in Hand Gestures
Hand Gestures in
Taiwan
Intended
Meaning(s)
Please tick (v) if it
means differently in
your culture.
Your
Meaning(s)
of the
Gesture
Please rate your culture shock
levels about this gesture in 0-4
with the higher indicating the
higher culture shock.
Using the index finger
to point at othersYou 0 1 2 3 4
Using the index finger
to point at oneselfI 0 1 2 3 4
Showing the middle
fingerCursing sb. 0 1 2 3 4
Both arms crossing in
front of one’s chest
offensive,
unsecure0 1 2 3 4
Using the middle
finger and the index
finger spinning
besides one’s head
Indicating
someone is
crazy or
mentally
retarded
0 1 2 3 4
Waving one’s hand to
others
Greeting or
saying good-
bye
0 1 2 3 4
money,
no problem 0 1 2 3 4
A sign of
feeling
cheerful in
photo-taking,
called “YA”
0 1 2 3 4
Male (sign
language),
good0 1 2 3 4
Female (sign
language),
loser,
small potato
0 1 2 3 4
Bad,
small potato 0 1 2 3 4
↓
Somebody
passed away 0 1 2 3 4
No
↓
0 1 2 3 4
I don’t know! 0 1 2 3 4
Pray,
worshiping,
begging
0 1 2 3 4
↓You’re dead! 0 1 2 3 4
↓Come over! 0 1 2 3 4
Please specify any commonly-used or tabooed hand gestures in your culture for us to learn or avoid.
Hand Gestures Intended Meaning(s)
(2) Cross-Cultural Differences in Body Movements
Body
Movements
in Taiwan
Intended
Meaning(s)
Please tick (v) if it
means differently in
your culture.
Your Meaning(s)
of the Body
Movement
Please rate your culture shock
levels about this movement in
0-4 with the higher indicating
the higher culture shock.
Nodding Showing
agreement
0 1 2 3 4
Shaking one’s
head
Showing
disagreement
0 1 2 3 4
Bowing Showing respect
or thanks
0 1 2 3 4
Jumping Feeling happy or
excited
0 1 2 3 4
Shrugging one’s
shoulders
I don’t know 0 1 2 3 4
Please specify any commonly-used or tabooed body movements in your culture for us to learn or avoid.
Body Movements Intended Meaning(s)
(3) Cross-Cultural Differences in Facial Expressions
Facial Expressions
in Taiwan
Intended
Meaning(s)Please tick (v) if it means
differently in your culture.
Your
Meaning(s) of
the Facial
Expression
Please rate your culture
shock levels about this
expression in 0-4 with the
higher indicating the higher
culture shock.
Happy0 1 2 3 4
Contempt,
scornful
0 1 2 3 4
Disgusting 0 1 2 3 4
Sad0 1 2 3 4
Interested0 1 2 3 4
Surprised0 1 2 3 4
Angry0 1 2 3 4
Fearful0 1 2 3 4
Worries0 1 2 3 4
Confused0 1 2 3 4
Please specify any commonly-used or tabooed facial expressions in your culture for us to learn or avoid.
Facial Expressions Intended Meaning(s)
(4) Cross-Cultural Differences in Touching Behaviors
Touching
Behaviors in
Taiwan
Intended Meaning(s)
Please tick (v) if
it means
differently in
your culture.
Your Meanings of
the Touching
Behaviors
Please rate your culture
shock levels about this
behavior in 0-4 with the
higher indicating the
higher culture shock.
Patting on
someone’s
shoulder
Showing care or comfort0 1 2 3 4
HuggingShowing care, sympathy, or
love, usually among females
0 1 2 3 4
Please specify any commonly-used or tabooed touching behaviors in your culture for us to learn or avoid.
Touching Behaviors Intended Meaning(s)
(5) Cross-Cultural Differences in Personal Distance
Personal Space in TaiwanIf different, please tick (v)
and specify differences.
Please rate your culture shock levels about this
distance in 0-4 with the higher indicating the
higher culture shock
Meeting someone at the first time
With the
same sex
About 60-80 cm
(23-31inches)
0 1 2 3 4
With the
opposite sex
About 100 cm
(40 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
Daily interactions
With the
same sex
About 30-50 cm
(10-20 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
With the
opposite sex
About 50-70 cm
(20-27 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
With About 30-50cm 0 1 2 3 4
parents (11-20 inches)
With
siblings
About 20-40 cm
(7-15 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
With
colleagues
About 60-80 cm
(23-31 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
With close
friends
Within 15 cm
(5 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
With
romantic
partner
Within 10 cm
(3 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
With spouse Within 10 cm
(3 inches)
0 1 2 3 4
Part II I : Coping Strategies for Cross-Cultural Differences in Nonverbal Communication
What are the commonly-adopted coping strategies taken by you to cope with the cross-cultural differences in
nonverbal communication and culture shocks in nonverbal communication?
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________
The end of the questionnaire!Your contribution is highly appreciated!
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