Final answer:
The discomfort Jamal felt after Sandra looked him in the eye and shook his hand firmly may be due to cultural differences in nonverbal behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discomfort Jamal felt after Sandra looked him in the eye and shook his hand firmly may be due to cultural differences in nonverbal behaviors. Nonverbal behaviors, such as eye contact and handshakes, can vary across cultures and carry different meanings. In some cultures, direct eye contact and a firm handshake may be seen as confident and respectful, while in others, it may be viewed as confrontational or aggressive.
For example, in some cultures, people may avoid direct eye contact as a sign of respect or submission, while in others, it may be expected as a sign of attentiveness and honesty. Similarly, the firmness of a handshake can range from culture to culture. Some cultures value a firm handshake as a sign of strength and trustworthiness, while others prefer a lighter and more gentle grip.
These cultural differences in nonverbal behaviors can lead to misunderstandings and discomfort if individuals from different cultures have different expectations and interpretations of these behaviors.