How to Get Better at Reading People from Different Cultures

Let’s be honest: reading people is hard enough even when they’re from your own country. But throw in a completely different culture, with different body language rules, facial expressions, and ways of showing (or hiding) emotions — and suddenly, you’re flying blind. Or at least, that’s how it feels.

If you’re someone who loves travelling, meeting people from all over the world, or just trying to avoid awkward misunderstandings during international Zoom calls — this one’s for you.

The Problem With Body Language

Body language is a brilliant tool for communication — until it’s not. What’s friendly in Spain might come across as way too intense in Sweden. What looks like quiet confidence in Canada might seem totally arrogant to someone from Germany.

Let’s take a basic example: eye contact. In many Western cultures, steady eye contact is seen as a sign of confidence and honesty. But in some Asian or Middle Eastern cultures, too much eye contact can come off as aggressive or even disrespectful. Same action — totally different vibes.

Gestures? Even trickier. A “thumbs up” is great in the UK, but it’s basically an insult in some other parts of the world. So how are we supposed to figure out what people are really thinking or feeling when the usual signals are lost in translation?

Enter: microexpressions.

What Are Microexpressions?

Microexpressions are tiny, involuntary facial expressions that flash across someone’s face in less than half a second. They’re super fast — blink and you’ll miss them — but they reveal what someone is actually feeling inside, whether they want to or not.

And here’s the cool part: while body language varies massively from one culture to another, microexpressions are universal. That means a person in Tokyo, Nairobi, Oslo or Bogotá will show the same tiny facial movements when they feel angry, sad, surprised or happy — even if they express those feelings differently in conversation.

A Tale of Two Cultures

Let’s compare Japan and the Philippines. In the Philippines, emotions are openly shown — people smile when they’re happy, frown when they’re sad, and you usually don’t have to guess too much. It’s all out there.

In Japan, things are more subtle. Showing negative emotions in public is often seen as rude, and even being too happy might be considered inappropriate. So people learn to mask their emotions, often with polite smiles or neutral faces.

But here’s the twist: studies show that both Japanese and Filipino people experience emotions with the same intensity. The only difference? The Japanese tend to hide their reactions — but the microexpressions still leak out.

So if you know what to look for, you’ll see the truth behind the mask.

A Real-Life Story From Qatar

A few years ago, I was co-hosting a body language workshop in Qatar with my husband. We were in front of 200 HR professionals — men and women sitting separately, as is common there, and the women were fully covered, including their faces.

At first, we felt completely unsure how our presentation was going. The usual visual feedback — nods, smiles, posture shifts — was harder to read. But then we started noticing the microexpressions: a raised brow here, a subtle nose wrinkle there. And suddenly, it was like we were back in London. Those tiny flashes of emotion told us everything we needed to know — when they were interested, confused, amused or impressed.

That day reminded me that while culture shapes how people act, it doesn’t change how they feel. Emotions are universal, and microexpressions are the key to unlocking them.

How to Get Better at Reading Microexpressions

Now you’re probably wondering — okay, so how do I learn this skill?

Great question. Here are a few practical tips to help you get started:

1. Learn the Basics

There are 7 universal microexpressions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise, and contempt.

Each one shows up in a unique way on the face. For example:

• Disgust: Wrinkled nose, raised upper lip
• Contempt: One side of the mouth pulls up (like a half-smirk)
• Fear: Wide eyes, eyebrows pulled together, lips slightly stretched back
• Surprise: Raised brows, wide eyes, mouth open — but no tension

Start by watching videos or studying photos that capture these expressions. YouTube is full of tutorials. Or just pause reality shows and watch contestants’ reactions!

2. Watch Real People From Different Cultures

If you know you’re going to meet someone from a specific culture — or travel to a new country — do a little homework.

Search for videos of people from that culture speaking in interviews or giving presentations. Watch how they express themselves. Notice how they smile, nod, pause. Pay attention to the tiny changes in their faces when emotions shift.

It’s not about becoming a robot analyst — just start noticing patterns. The more you observe, the more natural it becomes.

3. Stay Present and Pay Attention

You can’t spot microexpressions if you’re distracted by your phone, rehearsing what you’ll say next, or spacing out.

So when you’re in conversation, focus. Not in a creepy, stare-at-their-soul way — just calmly tune in. Let your attention rest lightly on their face and body. When a flash of emotion appears, your brain will catch it (often before you’re even aware of it consciously).

4. Trust Your Gut

Sometimes, your instinct will pick up on something before your brain can explain it. You’ll feel like “something’s off” or “they didn’t really mean that.”

That’s your subconscious reading microexpressions. Instead of ignoring it, pause and ask yourself: What did I just see? Was it a quick look of anger? Sadness? Fear?

5. Mirror What You Saw

Here’s a fun trick: if you spot a microexpression and you’re not sure what it means, try copying it. Raise your own eyebrow the way they did. Tighten your lips the same way. Often, mimicking the movement will trigger the associated emotion in you — because of your brain’s mirror neurons — and help you figure out what they were feeling.

6. Eliminate the Impossibles

If you’re unsure what an expression means, sometimes it’s easier to figure out what it doesn’t mean.

For example, if someone’s eyebrows go down and inward, you can rule out surprise or fear (both require raised eyebrows). Narrow the possibilities and work your way toward the most likely emotion.

7. Read the Room

If you’re speaking to a group — like in a meeting, class, or presentation — don’t focus too hard on one person’s reaction. Look for patterns. Are most people showing curiosity? Boredom? Engagement?

One person might be having a bad day, but if 80% of the group looks interested, you’re doing fine.

Final Thoughts

In a world where we’re constantly interacting across cultures — whether in person or online — the ability to read microexpressions is like a real-life superpower. It cuts through the cultural static and gives you insight into what people really feel.

It takes practice, sure. But with some curiosity, attention, and a bit of emotional detective work, you’ll get better and better. And hey — it might just help you avoid that next awkward miscommunication abroad.

After all, body language might be cultural…
…but emotions? Emotions speak every language.