A. The same expression in Britain is a sign of skepticism B. but from a lack of awareness of the various interpretations different cultures ascribe to nonverbal forms of behavior C. Culture has a powerful impact on people’s behavior D. Of equal, and at times, greater importance is the knowledge of nonverbal communication, or body language E. On the other hand, if a Frenchman rubs the base of his nose with his forefinger F. A good way to become more aware of cross-cultural differences is to look at oneself through the eyes of people from other cultures G. Even clothing and colors are symbolic and have different meanings depending on the part of the world H. The use of gesticulations varies according to culture Beware of Body Language in Cross-Cultural Situations As the trade barriers come down in Europe and contact is increased, cross-cultural misunderstandings are bound to rise. As often as not, many of the misunderstandings in communications will arise not from what is said, (9) Attaining fluency in a foreign language is often only half the battle when it comes to mastering effective cross-cultural communications. (10) This "silent language", or the actions that accompany our words, includes such dimensions as touching, distance between speakers, facial expressions, speech inflection or volume, pauses, as well as hand and arm gestures. (11) Very seldom do we speak without an accompanying action in which hands invariably play a crucial role. (12) The Italians and the French are renowned for relying heavily on hand gestures to replicate or mimic ideas that they are simultaneously communicating in words. Germans often raise their eyebrows in recognition of a clever idea. (13) The French have some of the most expressive hand gestures. To symbolize exquisiteness, a Frenchman pinches his fingertips, raises them to his lips, and softly tosses a kiss into the air with his chin held high. (14) ,he’s warning "something smells bad, " "be cautious, " "we can’t trust these people. " Very similar is the Italian gesture of tapping the side of the nose with the forefinger. Its meaning: Take care. There is danger ahead. They are getting crafty. In the Netherlands, this gesture means I’m drunk or you’re drunk. In England, a forefinger tap on the side of the nose means conspiracy or secrecy.