Non-Verbal Commuication Modes

 What is non-verbal communication?

Definition (CBC): “nonverbal communication involves those
nonverbal stimuli in a communication setting that are generated by
both the source [speaker] and his or her use of the environment and
that have potential message value for the source or receiver [listener] 
(Samovar et al).   Basically it is sending and receiving messages in a
variety of ways without the use of verbal codes (words).  It is both
intentional and unintentional.  Most speakers / listeners are not
conscious of this.   It includes — but is not limited to:

o touch
o glance
o eye contact (gaze)
o volume
o vocal nuance
o proximity
o gestures
o facial expression ? pause (silence)
o intonation
o dress
o posture
o smell
o word choice and syntax
o sounds (paralanguage)

Broadly speaking, there are two basic categories of non-verbal

language: 
        nonverbal messages produced by the body; 
        nonverbal messages produced by the broad setting (time, space,
silence)

Why is non-verbal communication important?

Basically, it is one of the key aspects of communication (and
especially important in a high-context culture).  It has multiple
functions: 
 

o Used to repeat the verbal message (e.g. point in a direction

while stating directions.
 o Often used to accent a verbal message. (e.g. verbal tone
indicates the actual meaning of the specific words).
o Often complement the verbal message but also may
contradict.  E.g.: a nod reinforces a positive message (among
Americans); a “wink” may contradict a stated positive message.
o Regulate interactions (non-verbal cues covey when the other
person should speak or not speak).
o May substitute for the verbal message (especially if it is
blocked by noise, interruption, etc) — i.e. gestures (finger to
lips to indicate need for quiet), facial expressions (i.e. a nod
instead of a yes).

Note the implications of the proverb: “Actions speak louder than

words.”  In essence, this underscores the importance of non-verbal
communication.  Non-verbal communication is especially significant
in intercultural situations. Probably non-verbal differences account for
typical difficulties in communicating.

Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication

1. General Appearance and Dress

All cultures are concerned for how they look and make judgements
based on looks and dress.  Americans, for instance, appear almost
obsessed with dress and personal attractiveness.  Consider differing
cultural standards on what is attractive in dress and on what
constitutes modesty. Note ways dress is used as a sign of status?

2. Body Movement

We send information on attitude toward person (facing or leaning

towards another), emotional statue (tapping fingers, jiggling coins),
and desire to control the environment (moving towards or away from
a person).

More than 700,000 possible motions we can make — so impossible to

categorize them all!  But just need to be aware the body movement
and position is a key ingredient in sending messages. 
  

3. Posture

Consider the following actions and note cultural differences:

o Bowing (not done, criticized, or affected in US; shows rank in

Japan)
o Slouching (rude in most Northern European areas)
o Hands in pocket (disrespectful in Turkey)
o Sitting with legs crossed (offensive in Ghana, Turkey)
o Showing soles of feet. (Offensive in Thailand, Saudi Arabia)
o Even in US, there is a gender difference on acceptable posture?

4. Gestures

Impossible to catalog them all.  But need to recognize: 1) incredible

possibility and variety and 2) that an acceptable in one’s own culture
may be offensive in another.  In addition, amount of gesturing varies
from culture to culture.  Some cultures are animated; other restrained. 
Restrained cultures often feel animated cultures lack manners and
overall restraint.  Animated cultures often feel restrained cultures lack
emotion or interest.

Even simple things like using hands to point and count differ.

Pointing : US with index finger; Germany with little finger; Japanese

with entire hand (in fact most Asians consider pointing with index
finger to be rude)

Counting:  Thumb = 1 in Germany, 5 in Japan, middle finger for 1 in

Indonesia. 
 

5. Facial Expressions

While some say that facial expressions are identical, meaning attached
to them differs.  Majority opinion is that these do have similar
meanings world-wide with respect to smiling, crying, or showing
anger, sorrow, or disgust.  However, the intensity varies from culture
to culture.  Note the following:
 o Many Asian cultures suppress facial expression as much as
possible.
o Many Mediterranean (Latino / Arabic) cultures exaggerate grief
or sadness while most American men hide grief or sorrow.
o Some see “animated” expressions as a sign of a lack of control.
o Too much smiling is viewed in as a sign of shallowness.
o Women smile more than men.

6. Eye Contact and Gaze

In USA, eye contact indicates: degree of attention or interest,

influences attitude change or persuasion, regulates interaction,
communicates emotion, defines power and status, and has a central
role in managing impressions of others.

o Western cultures — see direct eye to eye contact as positive

(advise children to look a person in the eyes).  But within USA,
African-Americans use more eye contact when talking and less
when listening with reverse true for Anglo Americans.  This is
a possible cause for some sense of unease between races in
US.  A prolonged gaze is often seen as a sign of sexual interest.
o Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact. — believe it
shows interest and helps them understand truthfulness of the
other person.  (A person who doesn’t reciprocate is seen as
untrustworthy)
o Japan, Africa, Latin American, Caribbean — avoid eye contact
to show respect.

7. Touch

Question: Why do we touch, where do we touch, and what meanings

do we assign when someone else touches us? 
 

Illustration: An African-American male goes into a

convenience store recently taken over by new Korean
immigrants.  He gives a $20 bill for his purchase to Mrs Cho
who is cashier and waits for his change.  He is upset when his
change is put down on the counter in front of him.
 What is the problem?  Traditional Korean (and many other
Asian countries) don’t touch strangers., especially between
members of the opposite sex.   But the African-American sees
this as another example of discrimination (not touching him
because he is black).

Basic answer:  Touch is culturally determined!  But each culture has a

clear concept of what parts of the body one may not touch.  Basic
message of touch is to affect or control  — protect, support,
disapprove (i.e. hug, kiss, hit, kick).  

o USA — handshake is common (even for strangers), hugs,

kisses for those of opposite gender or of family (usually) on an
increasingly  more intimate basis. Note differences between
African-Americans and Anglos in USA.  Most African
Americans touch on greeting but are annoyed if touched on the
head (good boy, good girl overtones).
o Islamic and Hindu:  typically don’t touch with the left hand. 
To do so is a social insult.  Left hand is for toilet functions. 
Mannerly in India to break your bread only with your right
hand (sometimes difficult for non-Indians)
o  Islamic cultures generally don’t approve of any touching
between genders (even hand shakes).  But consider such
touching (including hand holding, hugs) between same-sex to
be appropriate.
o Many Asians don’t touch the head (Head houses the soul and a
touch puts it in jeopardy).

Basic patterns: Cultures (English , German, Scandinavian, Chinese,

Japanese) with high emotional restraint concepts have little public
touch; those which encourage emotion (Latino, Middle-East, Jewish)
accept frequent touches. 
 

3. Smell

o USA — fear of offensive natural smells (billion dollar industry

to mask objectionable odors with what is perceived to be
pleasant ) — again connected with “attractiveness” concept.
o Many other cultures consider natural body odors as normal
(Arabic).
 o Asian cultures (Filipino, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Indian)
stress frequent bathing — and often criticize USA of not
bathing often enough!

. Paralanguage

o vocal characterizers (laugh, cry, yell, moan, whine, belch,

yawn).  These send different messages in different cultures
(Japan — giggling indicates embarrassment; India – belch
indicates satisfaction)
o vocal qualifiers (volume, pitch, rhythm, tempo, and tone). 
Loudness indicates strength in Arabic cultures and softness
indicates weakness; indicates confidence and authority to the
Germans,; indicates impoliteness to the Thais; indicates loss of
control to the Japanese. (Generally, one learns not to “shout” in
Asia for nearly any reason!).  Gender based as well: women
tend to speak higher and more softly than men.
o vocal segregates (un-huh, shh, uh, ooh, mmmh, humm, eh,
mah, lah).  Segregates indicate formality, acceptance, assent,
uncertainty.