Final answer:
Nonverbal communication such as giving business cards with the left hand, showing the soles of shoes, or winking are considered impolite in some cultures because they have different meanings or traditions. These practices are a part of cultural folkways, which signify appropriate behavior that varies from culture to culture. Understanding cultural norms is crucial for respecting and effectively communicating across different societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Actions such as giving business cards with the left hand in Malaysia, showing soles of shoes to a host in Saudi Arabia, and winking one eye in India are considered impolite interpersonal communication because people pick up nonverbal cues and understand them intuitively without being told. These nonverbal communications are symbolic and are learned through one's culture. For instance, while a smile and a handshake may be universally recognized as friendly gestures, they can have different connotations or be inappropriate in some cultural contexts.
Each culture has its own set of folkways, which direct appropriate behavior in the day-to-day practices and expressions, but these can greatly differ from one culture to another. For example, what is considered polite and standard in one culture may be seen as rude or strange in another. The concept of personal space, the way greetings are made, and what constitutes respectful body language are all deeply rooted in cultural norms.