The Importance Of Non-Verbal Communication In The Chinese Culture

For example, some cultures speak loudly and/or often while other cultures speak softly and/or only when necessary. Eye contact also varies by culture. Some cultures see direct eye contact as respectful while others see looking away or looking down as a sign of respect. It is important to understand how other cultures communicate so that there are fewer misconceptions when caring for people of another culture (Giger & Davidhizar, 2002).

Non Verbal Communication: includes gestures, facial expressions, and body positions (known collectively as “body language”), as well as unspoken understandings and presuppositions, and cultural and environmental conditions that may affect any encounter between

Cross-cultural communication is about the manner people with different cultural background interact with each other face to face or at a distance, i. e. the process by which people exchange with information. Three broad areas of communication are written, verbal and non-verbal communication, or body language. Some communication styles include direct/indirect, formal/informal and emotional/neutral communication. Direct communication assumes saying what people think without adapting the message to the counterpart. The result is clear and transparent but can be considered undiplomatic by the indirect communicators whose concern is to avoid offence. Formal communication style implies respect to age, status and also requires more formal language than informal communication style. In the emotional communication style it is important to express one’s emotions as it is a significant aspect of self-expression. Neutral communication style implies control of emotions and restricted body language. (Brian and Tomalin, 2013, p10). There can be problems of communication even within one culture and the barriers to efficient communication between different cultures can be poor knowledge of cultural differences, ethnocentrism, stereotyping and fear of embarrassment (Najafbagy, 2008; Brian and Tomalin, 2013).

Non-verbal communication is very important and is often more important than verbal communication. This consists of eye contact, hand and body language and facial expressions.

Kinesics in communication does not only have to do with facial expressions, however – it also includes body movement, posture, and gesture (Dynel, 2011). A communicator can manipulate their body in ways that can potentially exaggerate whatever it is

Communication involves more than exchanging words between people. Gestures, postures, facial expressions and even eye contacts are important during communication. Both verbal and nonverbal cues are important during communication and can help a person understand the speaker or listener’s emotions, attitudes or status. Understanding the existence of various cultures is necessary since different cultures have varying ways of communication (Lustig & Koester, 2012). Therefore, a communication style that is perceived as bad by a culture may be good in another culture. Besides, characteristics that may be essential for a particular culture may be quite irrelevant for another. In line with this dissimilarity, individuals need to adapt carefully and understand communication preferences and desires among cultures.

I am originally from Puerto Rico, which is a country in which communication is an integral part of society. The cultural norm of the Puerto Rican culture is to speak up when necessary and communicate clearly if we want things to be done. At the same time, I believe that in order to produce results, the manner in which communicating takes place, is an extremely important component. My culture also showed me how the emotions used when communicating, such as the use of the hands and body language, will dictate the tone and flow of the communication. The literature suggests that the majority (as much as 76%) of the message we gibe to another person during conversations is carried by non-verbal or para-verbal communication. Thus, we must be very careful and strategic in our use o non-verbal communication (Van Acker, 1997).

Nonverbal communication or body language makes up 55% of effective communication. This plays the biggest part in communication, and it shows the client or colleague more information than words alone ever could. Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, body movement and gestures, head movements, eye contact, posture, and the use of distances and space. Understanding and using nonverbal communication can enhance the connection between you and others, navigate challenging situations and well as expressing interest in the conversation. this can also established effective rapport between you and the client or colleague.

Smiling can be used to replace words, it can indicate that a person is saying hello and can suggest that they are happy (Sundeen, 1998) which indicates that they were both comfortable and happy during the interview. It has been said that hand shaking is used as a formal greeting and would tend not to be used as a greeting between friends, this suggest that Andy and Jonathan had not met each other prior to the interview (Denesi, 2000)

Nonverbal communication plays an essential role in any conversation. Individuals who are aware of nonverbal actions during conversations can more effectively interpret what is being communicated.

There are eight key forms of nonverbal communications used on a daily basis. These forms can affect the way people view another person; however, without understanding the forms of nonverbal communication there is certain to be a lot of misinterpretations. Cultural and language differences are a common reason for miscommunication. When communicating with people in different cultures, a person should be extremely aware of the hand gestures and nonverbal communication tools they are using. Many of the hand gestures used in the United States that mean good things, mean offensive and profane things to other cultures. Nonverbal communication is described as body language, hand gestures, and facial expressions. It is known that people reveal more information through nonverbal communication, than words alone to get a point across. There will always be some interaction between two or more people that everyone’s

Kinesics is the first type of nonverbal communication mentioned in the chapter. It deals with the messages leaked through our body. Body orientation and posture, for example, may complement or oppose our words. Therefore,

This concept is a motion sent by our bodies that helps communicate what we are saying verbally. Kinesics can be body movements such as gestures, posture, and facial expressions (Mullin, Dolly, PowerPoint Presentation, January 21, 2016). There are subcategories of kinesics, which are emblems, illustrators, affective displays, regulators, and adaptors (O’Hair et al., 2015, pp.103). Using your hands to show excitement by throwing them up in the air or pointing at somebody are examples of body language. Ruth uses hand gestures and movement of her arms to express that she is upset that Carl was not being understanding about the situation.

In every society nonverbal communication is one of the most powerful tools that a person can use to interpret the message that is being delivered. Even though verbal communication is fairly straightforward, nonverbal communication allows others to sense the true emotions of the person that is expressing them. For example even though a person may say that they are not irritated, their usage of voice may display otherwise. Nonverbal communication not only reveals hidden messages, but it also complements, substitutes, and exaggerates verbal communication.

The term kinesics was coined by anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell in 1952 and refers to the interpretation of body movements, facial expressions, and gestures. Understanding the grammar of kinesics can be difficult because it requires careful longitudinal observations and are situationally dependent. To add to the issues not everyone has the same body language, however, some nonverbal behaviors are believed to originate from the limbic brain and are universal.