Sarah Kunz

10.24.2016
Mark Jarvis
Family & Marriage

OPTION C: NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

Reread the sections on proximity, eye contact and touch in our textbook. Visit
locations were groups of singles congregate (dances, church, the school cafeteria,
etc.) and watch the non-verbal behaviors of the singles. If married folks are in the
room, it might be interesting to compare their nonverbal behaviors to those of the
single people. What types of nonverbal behaviors do you observe? Are there any
differences in the nonverbal behaviors of the males and the females? Are there
singles from different cultures in the room? Do the males and females from those
cultures have any unique nonverbal behaviors? This does not have to be done in
one sitting and may involve several locations.
Watching warbling individuals interacting is endlessly fascinating and
plaguing all at once. It can quickly infect me with great compunction as I realize how
needlessly sickened I feel about the display of affection. Nonverbal behaviors are
the most decorated displays of communication, they can be noted throughout all
cultures ages and genders. I can recall back on time being in a relationship and
giving many nonverbal ques that I was angered or peeved by a situation by refusing
or deflecting physical contact. Being human I know all too well the strategic
splendor and squalor that may ensue with the use of nonverbal communication. The
first place I observed individuals was at a large community park and duck pond, I
then varied environment to my tattoo shop to give contrast to the experiences.
When I went to the park there was a slew of couples stationed throughout the
domain. There was a particular elderly couple that was sitting on a bench near to
me. It was easy to observe and equivocate their intimate relationship by their close
proximity; As stated in the book the intimate zone is 0-18 inches apart (Strong &
Cohen, 2014, p. 233). The woman was leaning her head on the mans shoulder as
he fondly stroked her hand, bringing a reminiscent and gagging memory to my
mind. The Man being the initiator of touch may be a clue suggesting that he holds
the dominance within the relationship which would be common for a Caucasian
couple particularly of that age range. As they were loftily gazing off into the marshy
pond of feathered friends there were only few moments of eye contact. I did note
eye contact when the woman would lift her head of his shoulder to bring the mans
attention to something. It was brutally evident that this was a romantic elderly duo
with their close proximity, delicate touch, and permissioned eye contact.
Now to my other lovely place of scenery, the tattoo shop! There is always the
kitschy goof dude harnessed with his coffee and sketch book, as he has told me
many a times he was raised by a hippy patchouli family. With this free spirit

upbringing he has a much more limited bubble of privacy. I noted as I read on the
couch waiting for my appointment to commence that he would eagerly jump up to
great individuals he wasnt even introduced to yet by pouncing on them merely
inches away from their face. It provides endless entertainment for me as I was able
to see the squirmy reactions of the masses of people. As other clients would be
seated on the couch near me, I would typically scoot over to allow them space out
of courtesy. As one of the fellow clients began to initiate conversation with me he
closed in some of the distance to allow for a more acquainted conversation. I
noticed that my body naturally leaned in while talking with him in order to assert
the fact that I was paying attention. Within the tattoo shop I was able to observe
single individuals varying approaches on proximity and how different personal
attributes can catalyze your proximity habits.
This activity allowed me to gather in life context on how nonverbal
communication is implemented. Nonverbal communication is an integral part to our
human existence and can also be noted in our close relatives, such as primates.
Whether it is taffy stretched limbed monkey pals or humans nonverbal
communication can express intent, culture, and other traits such as dominance.

References: Word count: 587

Strong, B and Cohen, T. F. (2014) The Marriage and Family Experience: intimate
relationships in a changing society. (12th ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth