ÐßÐßÊÓƵ

Verbal

• Indirect Communication: East Timorese are generally indirect communicators. People are often attentive to non-verbal cues such as body language, posture, expression and tone of voice as a way to draw meaning from a conversation. Disagreements that must be discussed are usually handled in private and at a later time. Sometimes, a third person may be used as a mediator, to avoid directly addressing conflict. Nonetheless, people tend to be more direct with those who are more familiar.
• Refusals: As indirect communicators, East Timorese will often avoid direct refusals or negative responses. Instead, they may reply with an ambiguous response to direct or closed questions as a way to maintain harmony and demonstrate politeness. There is a general tendency to avoid giving a direct and flat ‘no’ or negative response. Consider checking for clarification several times and using open-ended questions that give your East Timorese counterpart the opportunity to answer questions with an indirect response.
• Agreement: In East Timor, the word ‘yes’ has different meanings depending on the context. For example, though it can indicate agreement, it is also sometimes used to indicate that the person is listening. Thus, it is important to note facial expressions, body language and tone to ascertain someone’s intention when agreeing.
• Silence: Silence is important and purposeful in Asian communication. Pausing before giving a response indicates that someone has given thought and consideration to the question at hand. Silence is often understood as reflecting politeness and respect, while interrupting someone who is talking is generally considered impolite.
• Shouting: Shouting or speaking overly loud, especially in public, is generally considered rude.

Non-Verbal

• Physical Contact: Showing physical affection among family or friends of the same gender is common. For example, people may walk hand-in-hand or with their arms around each other. However, it is generally rare for people of the opposite gender to come into physical contact. For example, it is unusual to see a husband and wife holding hands in public. Apart from greetings, men and women rarely touch one another.
• Personal Space: People generally prefer to maintain distance from one another where possible. For example, when standing next to friends or family, people will usually stand at arm’s length apart. This distance is further among acquaintances. However, attitudes towards personal space often depend on the context. For example, it is common for people to be pressed together in crowded public spaces or queues.
• Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is understood as a form of respect. East Timorese tend to maintain direct eye contact throughout a conversation.
• Gesturing: East Timorese may raise their eyebrows as a way to give an affirmative response to a question. To express discontent or disapproval, one may make a ‘tch-tch’ sound.
• Beckoning: The most common way to beckon another person is to have one’s palms facing up and waving their fingers inwards. Beckoning with the index finger alone is considered to be impolite.
• Pointing: It is generally acceptable to point to objects with the index finger. However, it is considered rude to directly point at someone. Rather, people will usually use a hand motion to direct someone’s attention in their general direction.
• Hands: Objects are usually passed with the right hand or both hands. The left hand is rarely used.
• Head: It is culturally inappropriate to touch people on the top of the head. This is seen as disrespectful.