Non-verbal communication is vital in our everyday communication interactions. Even the slightest facial gesture says no words, but communicates a lot towards your audience. What is interesting is how cultures attach meaning to so many gestures. Also, how these gestures are agreed upon, but vary between cultures and societies. For example, the thumps up sign in our culture is seen as a positive gesture while in other countries it can be seen as how we interpret giving someone the middle finger, which is another form of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication shows how tied together we are as people. In some contexts people do not even need to say a word for you to know exactly what they mean. At the bar in the restaurant I work in, I see examples everyday of people not saying one word, but giving me a non-verbal indication that they want another round, to pay for their tab, or are showing signs that I might need to cut them off.
I enjoyed your post, and I also think it is interesting how each culture has it's own non verbal communication and that they can be seen as offensive. It is important to consider others around you when you are speaking, or using hand gestures. I also like that you touched on the non verbal communication you see at work, and I think it is important to be in tune with your environment.
ReplyDeleteI have been taking a nonverbal communication class, so I found your discussion very relatable. I never realized that communication is everywhere, but like you said, even the slightest facial gesture says no words, but can communicate a lot towards your audience. Nonverbal communication is definitively an important and useful tool because it can help you see what someone may not be saying. Something as little as eye contact can tell us someone wants our attention or tapping of the foot can mean impatience or waiting. I also find it interesting that the clothes we wear can say so much about us as it is a form of expression and voice. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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