Non-Verbal Communication

Most miscommunication occurs on the non-verbal level and to understand it, one must violate it. There are many types of non-verbal communication that have varying effects on interaction.

1. Touch. ……….The United States is a relatively non-contact country as opposed (stereotypically) to South Americans and Southern Europeans where touching is common and expected. The miscommunication might occur when a Venezuelan or Italian tries to touch an American at a time that is not perceived to be appropriate to the American.

2. Distance…… There are three basic territorial areas or circumferences that surround us. The public territory, the home arena, and personal space. Each area is measured by imaginary radar in our brains that will determine how close we get to someone. The personal space includes the skin and the clothes you wear. This aspect of communication is easily violated when someone invades another’s personal space. For example, (stereotypically) a person from the Middle East has a smaller personal space than an American, and it is obvious as they talk. Frequently, the American will back up uncomfortably to compensate while the Middle East person will move closer for the same reason.

3. Time…….Different cultures perceive time differently; they are on different “cultural clocks”. Some cultures treat time loosely while others are more precise. When an American says he will meet you at 7:00 pm, he means 7:00 pm, not 6:55 pm or 7:08 pm. On the other hand, when a South American (stereotypically) says 7:00 pm, he may arrive at 7:15 pm or 7:45 pm and not feel that he is late. This varies, of course, according to the setting, such as a party or a class meeting.

4. Kinesics…….This word is often associated with gestures, facial expressions, body position and movement. Kinesics is entirely learned within one’s cultural setting. For instance, posture is used to include and exclude people in conversations. Studies have shown that 55% of our meanings (emotions) are revealed through facial expressions. Kinesics is complicated and varies greatly from one culture group to another.

5. Gestures…..There are two types of gestures: emblems and illustrations. Emblems are gestures that have a relatively precise, clear referent and thus are culturally assigned some meaning. Examples are: the “Peace” sign or “Victory” symbol-turned around with the palm toward the body, this sign has an extremely different and significantly more vulgar meaning in Ireland. Illustrations serve to augment verbal meanings, to substitute occasionally for words or phrases and to provide emphasis. For example, in U.S. culture the thumb up symbol is a positive reaction to something, while in other cultures it has negative connotations.

6. Eye Contact…..The amount of eye contact that one uses also influences the interaction between individuals. This varies with personality and sex as well as cultural background. For example, in the United States, a female (generally speaking) maintains eye contact 80% of the time while a male retains eye contact only 20% of the time. However, a Nigerian considers it disrespectful to hold eye contact with the person to whom they are speaking.

7. Olfaction – Smell…..There are different perceptions from culture to culture as to what is offensive and what is pleasant or at least tolerable. Most cultures are not as antiseptic as the U.S.--evident in Americans’ obsession with soaps, deodorants and perfumes often advertised in magazines and television. Visitors need to be aware of and consider the effect of their non-conformity with the new culture. Specifically, Americans are greatly offended by natural body odor, which causes difficulties when trying to communicate to those who have this. The aromatic power of garlic and other spices does affect the ability of people to communicate with each other.

8. Physical Appearance…..The clothing that you wear also communicates to others. The way one relates to a Muslim woman from Saudi Arabia in her native attire is different from the way one would relate to the same women wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers.

References:

Hall, Edward T. 1981. “The Silent Language”. An Anchor Book, Doubleday, New York, New York.

Hall Edward T. 1982. “The Hidden Dimension”. An Anchor Book, Doubleday, New York, New York.

Hall, Edward T. 1981. “Beyond Culture” An Anchor Book, Doubleday, New York, New York

Hall, Edward T. 1983. “The Dance of Life: The Other Dimension in Time”. An Anchor Book, Doubleday, New York, New York.