North America is a low context culture. Direct communication is to be expected, which is why many Americans always get so confused about the indirect Indian head wobble when they first lived in American soil. Direct eye contact is especially important, if you do not have eye contact with another person in a social or business setting it is seen as showing disrespect. When greeting someone, a firm handshake and direct eye contact is the correct way to greet someone. Unlike the Indian’s acceptance of silence, American’s perceive a gap in conversation uncomfortable or awkward. At the dinner table, wrists are acceptable to be place on the table but the same cannot be said for one’s elbows. Americans will point with their index finger and talk with
