Cross cultural understanding: a handbook to understand others’ cultures

forced 
laughter
nervousness, 
cooperation 
Unnatural laughter is often a signal 
of nervousness or stress, as an effort 
to dispel tension or change the 
atmosphere. Artificial laughter is a 
signal of cooperation and a wish to 
maintain empathy. 

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Cross Cultural Understanding | 79 
biting lip
Tension 
One of many signals suggesting 
tension or stress, which can be due to 
high concentration, but more likely 
to be anxiousness.
hand 
clamped 
over mouth
suppression, 
holding 
back, shock 
Often an unconscious gesture of self-
regulation - stopping speech for 
reasons of shock, embarrassment, or 
for more tactical reasons. The gesture 
is reminiscent of the 'speak no evil' 
wise monkey. The action can be 
observed very clearly in young 
children 
when 
they 
witness 
something 'unspeakably' naughty or 
shocking. Extreme versions of the 
same effect would involve both 
hands.