Professional Documents
Culture Documents
For example, people may nod their heads vigorously when saying "Yes" to emphasise that they
agree with the other person, but a shrug of the shoulders and a sad expression when saying
"I'm fine thanks, may imply that things are not really fine at all!
For example by signalling to others that they have finished speaking or wish to say something.
For example, a nod of the head between colleagues in a committee meeting may mean
something very different from when the same action is used to acknowledge someone across a
crowded room, and again when two people are having a social conversation.
Non-Verbal Communication
Body Language, Posture and Proximity
This can make it harder to interpret consciously. However, if you stop thinking about it, you will
probably find that you have a very good idea of what someone meant.
3. Making a circle with your thumb and forefinger like this means OK in
Western cultures. It is used in particular by divers in this way. In
Japan, however, it is reputedly the sign for money, and in Arabic
countries, it is a threat.
Its worth being careful how you use gestures and body
language!
Non-verbal communication can have a great impact on the listener and the
outcome of the communication.
Warning!
People tend to have much less conscious control over their non-verbal
messages than of what theyre actually saying.
They include:
Body Movements (Kinesics), for example, hand gestures or nodding or shaking the
head;
Posture, or how you stand or sit, whether your arms are crossed, and so on;
Eye Contact, where the amount of eye contact often determines the level of trust and
trustworthiness;
Para-language, or aspects of the voice apart from speech, such as pitch, tone, and
speed of speaking;
Closeness or Personal Space (Proxemics), which determines the level of intimacy;
Body Language
The way you sit, stand, your gestures and mannerisms and your facial
expressions will say far more about you and how you are feeling at any given
time than the words you are using. When individuals are nervous or uneasy,
their behavioural 'bad habits' become more pronounced.
Awareness of your body language, of how you behave under pressure, what
signals you are unconsciously giving, how nerves and stress affect you
physically, can help you understand how you 'come across' to others. It can
also explain how the wrong impression is sometimes given and how confusion
can occur.
Body language can also be used as a mask to convey contrary feelings. How often have you
nodded firmly when you did not understand a word, smiled when your instinct was to scowl,
clapped enthusiastically at the end of a talk that nearly put you to sleep? In these cases you
were not being hypocritical, but using body language positively as the mechanism of good
manners.
Our gestures are part of our personalities, a part of how we express ourselves. Hand and arm
movements can add emphasis, aid explanation and convey enthusiasm. They only become a
negative signal when repeated so often that they become irritating to the observer. Listeners
can become so side-tracked by the sight of someone constantly playing with their hair, tapping
on the table with a pen, etc., that they no longer listen to the spoken word. These negative
signals can break down the communication process.
Maintaining eye contact with the person you are speaking to.
Nodding in agreement.
A firm handshake.
Looking interested.
Yawning.