expression) and the body (the distance we stand from others, our spatial orientation to them, posture, gesture, touch, and the like).
Even though some types of non-verbal behavior appear to be innate, cultures differ greatly in their use of this behavior and in their beliefs about what is appropriate.
Example:
For Americans, a “V” sign made with two fingers usually represents victory. Australians equate this gesture with a rude American gesture usually made with the middle finger.
A Japanese man may believe that Americans are excitable and emotional because they speak loudly, while the American he is talking to thinks he is reserved and inscrutable because he speaks softly and his face moves relatively little when they converse.
Generally speaking, the misunderstanding based on verbal and non-verbal behaviors is a result of Misinterpretation, Ethnocentrism, and Stereotypes caused by cultural differences among people who do not have benefit of shared experiences and different perceptions.
2.0.1 Definition
Perception is the process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting sensory data (what we see, hear, smell, feel or taste) in a way that enables us to make sense of our physical and social world.
2.0.2 Features of perception
Perceptions for even the same object, behavior or event are not always universal.
Culture predisposes what people see.
The ways of perception are differentially shared among cultural groups rather than universally applied. Culture provides us with a perceptual lens that greatly influences how we interpret and evaluate what we receive from the outside world. In the process of cultural learning we learn to make sense of the people and world around us. Our culture, therefore, filters what we pay attention to and determines what meanings we attach to our selection, that is, what we neglect and what we choose is determined by our culture.
culture sets the background for what we see in real life.
As in the Figures we have seen, the perceived image changes when we take different parts of the picture as the figure and ground. Similarly, our culture sets the background for what we see in real life.  
2.0.3 Implication for intercultural communication
The assumption of similarity is one of the biggest barriers in intercultural communication. The hazard assumption that we are all alike instead of being different seriously hinders effective communication across culture.
Different cultures have different perceptions for realities and such perceptual differences hinder the sharing of meaning and understanding between people from different cultures.
To understand other people we must go into their perceptual world and try to experience reality in the same manner as they do.
2.1.1 Cultures do not communicate; individuals do.
Everyone has a unique style of communication, but cultures determine a general style for their members. We are not always aware of the subtle influences of our culture. Likewise, we may not perceive that others are influenced by their cultures as well.
2.1.2 When Misunderstanding occurs, it is perceived as personal rather than cultural
Problems and misinterpretations do not result every time members from two cultures communicate. However, when cultural conflicts do arise, they may be perceived as personal rather