Communication Continued

Communication ... page 2

When speaking with friends, Haitians will use direct eye contact, and an active tone of voice. Eye contact is usually avoided with people of a higher socioeconomic status or position of authority.²⁹^{, 30}
Tone reflects emotion. Speech is usually accompanied by hand gestures. Speech may get loud, but this does not necessarily mean there is anger.^{15, 29, 30, 36}
Except when discussing certain personal topics, communication tends to be direct.³⁶ Uneducated Haitians may be unwilling to expose their lack of knowledge to Americans, so will keep to themselves and may seem timid.²⁹^{, 30}
When in informal situations, touch is accepted, like embracing or kissing. In formal situations, a stern handshake is the accepted greeting.¹⁵, 29, 30 Gender is also a factor in touch; people do not generally embrace members of the opposite sex, even if they are friends. ²⁹^{, 30}
Haitians require much less personal space than Americans, so they may position themselves close to another in communication.¹⁵^{, 36}
Haitians may smile and nod their heads rather than reveal their lack of understanding.²⁹^{, 30}
Like other impoverished cultures, Haitians tend to be oriented in the present. It is not considered rude to be late to appointments. ²⁹^{, 30, 35}For example, a wedding invitation will show a starting time of 6pm, when the actual starting time is in fact 7 or 7:30 .²⁹ However, Haitians can be on time if punctuality is stressed or if being on time is a priority for them. "Many Haitians will be late for doctor appointments but be at work early every day. It must be a priority thing".³⁷
Name formats are similar to that of traditional U.S. name formats. Women are given a first, middle and last name. When she marries, she loses the last name of her father and is always called by her husband's last name.³⁰

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