Geoffrey Gross CAPS #2

Nonverbal Communication

Communicating with others usually involves the use of words, either spoken or written.  Through the words on this blog, I am communicating with you, the reader. However, there is much information you are missing while being absent during the moment I drafted this post. For instance, you were not there when I hunched over trying to read the text of our book while thinking of a topic for my next CAPS post. Also, you missed the moment I exhaled is frustration after thirty minutes of drafting and re-drafting this post.  Because of our chosen form of communication for this class, you really don’t know anything about how I communicate.

I base my assumption on a statement made by Janine Driver in the attached video. Mrs. Driver is a Body Language Expert that explains how 93% of communication between two people is through a nonverbal form. Nonverbal communication is defined as, “those aspects of communication, such as gestures and facial expressions, that do not involve verbal communication but which may include nonverbal aspects of speech itself (accent, tone of voice, speed of speaking, etc)” (dictionary.com).  This means that when you are speaking to someone face-to-face, the words you say convey less information than whatever you find yourself doing with your hands.  Some cultures, like those in Italy, hand gestures are almost just as important as the spoken words—a fact that is comically referenced here. How about other cultures?  What sort of nonverbal communication practices should or shouldn’t be followed during intercultural communication?

Figure 1 The geekiest gesture known to Vulcan kind

                In the early days of the study of intercultural communication, the Foreign Services Institute (FSI) was established to simplify communication practices between the United States and foreign countries. The need for this institute stems from the meanings different cultures give towards an action. For instance, down in Brazil—and many other places in the world, the OK sign is usually interpreted as an insult. I, myself, have been on the receiving end of the OK sign from Americans and Brazilians. At the time of both, I simply assumed the meaning to be that which I grew up with. In retrospect, I wonder what series of events led to the Brazilian interacting in such a way with me.

                Being knowledgeable of the nonverbal guidelines of different cultures is of benefit to any traveler. In my opinion, everyone should have at least basic knowledge of what gestures are risky to use and which ones should be avoided all together. If you do find yourself in a little bit of trouble, the least you could do is try the 7% strategy and talk your way out of it. Either way you look at it, being a master at nonverbal communication will help when communicating with other cultures, maybe even species...

Secrets of Body Language  (1 hour 30 min)

References: 

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2009). Intercultural Communication in Contexts. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.