At your next meeting, wait for a pause in conversation and try (measure) how long it lasts. Among English speakers, chances are that it will be a second or two at (many). But while this pattern may be universal, our awareness of silence differs (dramatic) across cultures. one culture considers a confusing or awkward pause may be seen by others as valuable moment of reflection and a sign of respect for what the last speaker has said. Research in Dutch and also in English found that when silence in conversation stretches four seconds, people start to feel uneasy. In contrast, a separate study of business meetings found that Japanese people are happy with silence of 8.2 seconds—nearly (two) as long as in American meetings. In Japan, it (recognize) that the best communication is when you don't speak at all. In the US, it may originate from the history of colonial America as a crossroads of many different (race). When you have a couple of differences, it's hard (establish) common understanding unless you talk and there's understandably a kind of anxiety unless people are verbally engaged to establish a common life. This applies also to some extent London. In contrast, when there's more homogeneity(同种族), perhaps it's easier for some kinds of silence to appear. For example, among your closest friends and family it's easier to sit in silence than with people you're less well acquainted with.
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