Fred has grown up in Ottawa,whereas Amir is a Muslim who was raised in Pakistan.They meet and become friends at university,where they are both completing their undergraduate degrees.In one class,Amir just finished a presentation and asked Fred how he thought it went.Fred gave Amir the "thumbs up" sign and Amir became offended.What is the most likely explanation for Amir's behaviour?
A)Amir is poor at interpreting nonverbal behaviour and requires an Emotional Social Intelligence Prosthesis.
B)Emblems may differ across cultures,and "thumbs up" is not a sign of approval in Muslim countries.
C)Fred used an inappropriate manipulator to convey his message,which sent a mixed message to Amir.
D)Amir misinterpreted the proxemics of this particular situation,and thus interpreted the symbol incorrectly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely explanation for Amir's offense is that the "thumbs up" sign is not a sign of approval in Muslim countries. Different cultures may have different emblems that convey various meanings, and it is essential to be aware of this when communicating with people from different backgrounds.

Fred Has Grown Up in Ottawa,whereas Amir Is a Muslim