Communication requires interacting with people effectively. Communication - both verbal and non-verbal - is delivered after the application of many filters such as age, status, situation, subject, level of interest of the listener, nature of the relationship between the receiver and the speaker and so on. This has considerable impact on the meaning of the original message. Non-verbal communication relating to how something is said is more important than verbal communication signifying what is said. To interact successfully through non-verbal communication, understanding the context of the culture in which the message is delivered should be your priority.
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication reveals facets of personality through different messages that are communicated when facing another person. These include touching, standing at various distances and in varied stances. These non-verbal signals have some five times the impact of verbal communication. When you operate in another locale, you are likely to encounter significant change in patterns of non-verbal communication in addition of course to linguistic barriers. By learning other cultures and their associated communication patterns, you will find it far easier to adapt to the new environment. As an example in Spain and Italy, if the thumb points to the mouth it means ‘let’s have a drink’, whilst in China this is the sign for the number 6.
Body Posture
The movements of your body symbolise your attitudes and feelings. We use body language along with verbal communication to reinforce and add clarity and meaning to the message being conveyed. Body language involves gestures with hands and arms, facial expressions, eye contact and much more. As an example in the UK, a hand over heart gesture is used as a sign of respect towards flags, when singing the national anthem and in other situations requiring a demonstration of respect. In the US, it is used specifically as a part of the pledge of allegiance. It may also indicate shock or hurt.
Facial Expressions
More of the principal messages of non-verbal communication are conveyed by the face than by any other means. Facial expressions demonstrate feelings of friendliness, happiness, warmth, hatred and more. A close look at your colleague’s face will allow you to identify the difference between true emotions and pretence. In the Philippines, the Filipinos usually greet one another with an ‘eyebrow flash’ which is merely a quick lifting of the eyebrows. This would have no effect in the US where a firm handshake is expected.
Eye Movement
Direct eye contact helps with effective communication. It regulates the coherence of communication and indicates the degree of enthusiasm with which the verbal message is being received. In most cultures, people who use eye contact are viewed as confident. In Australia listeners are taught to focus on the speaker’s eyes for effective communication whilst in India this will be determined by the genders involved: there it is not considered appropriate for a man to focus on the eyes of a female colleague during a conversation.
Appearance
Communication is also affected by a variety of aspects related to appearance such as clothes and accessories. These convey signals relating to the context including formal and informal, status and individuality. In Islam, Muslim women are expected to covered in their entirety including the face, except for their eyes, while in Western countries most women, even in a business context, will wear somewhat more revealing attire.
Proxemic rules
Proxemics cover the way in which people position themselves in relation to another person during a discussion. Proxemics is important in business communication: people express their level of intimacy and trust towards a person through the distance that is chosen. The average personal distance varies from one culture to another. Americans tend to require more personal space: if you try to get too close to an American during a conversation, they tend to back away. Latin Americans, in contrast, demonstrate greater physical closeness during communication.
Understanding Non-Verbal Communication
Misunderstandings can be avoided or rapidly corrected if people have the ability to correctly interpret non-verbal communication. It is all too easy to irritate others unintentionally, if you are not aware of their standard non-verbal behaviours:-
Listen to the communication carefully and observe the non-verbal behaviours. Every gesture will convey some message.
If a person’s words convey one thing and their behaviour says another, you should act upon the non-verbal behaviour which is giving you the true message.
You will be a better speaker, if you can accurately deliver the non-verbal cues that will engender the correct mood and reaction in the audience.
Conclusion
The study of non-verbal communication has seen rapid growth in recent years reflecting its applicability to so many fields including business, international relations and education - indeed any field involving significant interpersonal communication. For anyone conducting business in an international arena, it is therefore essential to understand non-verbal communication in a cultural context.
Cathy Wellings is the Culture and Communication Manager at Communicaid.
Communicaid is a Culture and Communication Skills Consultancy and a global leader in Cultural Awareness Training
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