A Burmese
Guide to NonVerbal
Communication
Made by Myat Noe Kyi Phyu & Phyu Sin Lynn
Table of Contents
Introduction
01
A little more about
Myanmar’s customs
Gestures
02
03
Touch
04
To which extent is physical
contact considered appropriate?
Eye Contact
What are some gestures
05 How much eye contact would be
that are considered taboo or
enough to make you look
disrespectable?
approachable but not too direct?
Silence
What does silence means
or supposed to indicate?
01
01
02
03
Introduction
04
05
06
Introduction
01
02
03
04
05
06
01
02
02
03
Gestures
04
05
06
Gestures
Some certain gestures make you appear courteous and polite.
 Gestures like slightly lowering your head when passing through an adult could
01
02
03
make you seem more respectful and considerate towards people.
 Giving something using both hands would also make you appear more polite.
Whilst some gestures would make you look inconsiderate and ill-mannered.
 Pointing a finger to anyone can be seen as offensive especially for the ones
who are not close to each other. This is such a misunderstood behavior
because people might think the others are gossiping about them.

Feet are the lowest so that it won’t be acceptable to point a foot at an
object or sit on your foot on higher places or things.
04
05
06
01
03
02
03
Silence
04
05
06
Silence
01
Silence doesn’t necessarily denote rebuttal or discomfort
02
but rather, it is used to indicate careful thought. In a
03
conversation, silence is used to keep the interchange and
04
the atmosphere calm enough for the speaker to present
05
his/her opinion. Sometimes, butting in and interrupting
someone else’s talking is also thought of as obnoxious
behaviour.
06
01
04
Touch
02
03
04
05
06
Touch
Despite physical contact being used as a friendly gesture among family
01
02
or very close friends, it isn’t encouraged among two individuals who
03
are still distant from each other. Take patting someone’s else head for
04
example. Even though you might have meant it in a harmless and
innocent way, some people can still find it disrespectful because the
head is considered to be superior to the other body parts. So, it is
best to avoid physical touch during a first meeting or an outing with
someone you are not close to.
05
06
01
05
02
03
Eye Contact
04
05
06
Nature Facts Quiz
01
02
While eye contact is essential and could indicate interest in
what the person is saying, it still can be awkward for the
receiving end if excessive eye contact is present. This could
be considered passive-aggressive. Small eye contact while
talking can be comfortable for both individuals.
03
04
05
06
This is a basic guide to non-verbal communication and body
language in Myanmar!
The END!
Do you have any questions?