Smiling, Eye-Contact, Sharing

The Smiling Factor

Hungarians tend to behave reserved, cautious and skeptical in public.
Americans behave alert and confident.

• In America: Children and Christians are expected to act happy and smiling.
• In Hungary: Children and Christians are expected to act serious and deep.

Hungarians commonly mention that Americans are very friendly, but it takes time for a Hungarian to learn that the friendly behavior is just that, and not an intention of actually becoming friends. At first Hungarians greatly enjoy the friendly American approach, full of smiles, but it is easily misunderstood. It is similar to the impression that the habitually asked American question creates: “How are you?”

It is quite a shock to the ignorant Hungarian that the friendly question, that if asked in the Hungarian culture, would communicates care and attention, is just a polite gesture. The person who asked the question has no intention of learning how they really are doing. Such experiences lead Hungarians and many other Europeans to the false conclusion, that Americans are ’superficial’ in relationships.

Eye Contact and Staring

It is courteous to maintain a good eye-contact in Hungary, and it is not a major offense to study someone on the Metro if you are bored. In America, such a behavior is called “staring”, and people who had parents to bring them up, would never commit such shameful crime in public.

• Personal space, distance - How far do people stand from each other when they talk to one another?
• Touching – social hugs and kisses - Any personal experiences in this field?

Hungarians tend to be shy and reserved when it comes to verbally expressing positive feelings in relationships. You rarely hear people saying “I love you” even to their own spouse or children. It does not mean that they would love them any less; it is a matter of expressing love that is different.

behavior, business culture, communication, non-verbal, nonverbal, smiling, eye contact, staring, body language