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Nonverbal Communication
When I came to PEI for immersion, I did not realize what would be my biggest learning experience. I was only worried about improving my English. That was my goal. The first day, I sat down in class with the other students and I realized everybody around me came from different countries like Japan, China, Mexico and Holland... I didn’t know anything about them and not much about their cultures. Sometimes it was difficult for me to explain something or make sure the people around me understood the meaning of my message. So I decided to stop talking and observe. I realized everybody was talking more without words.
In fact, nonverbal communication is about 80% of communication. We communicate through facial expression, posture, gesture and tone of voice. Nonverbal communication helps in reading other people, including the emotions they are feeling and the unspoken messages they are sending. Sometimes when you respond with nonverbal communication you can improve your relationship with that person, through eye contact or touch for example.
But, the significance of nonverbal communication will change depending on the culture of the person involved. Let me giving some examples.
Facial expression Many Asian cultures suppress facial expression as much as possible. Many Mediterranean (Latino, Arabic) cultures exaggerate grief or sadness.
Smiling: smiling is an expression of happiness in most cultures; it can also signify other emotions. Some Chinese, for example, may smile when they are discussing something sad or uncomfortable.
Eye contact Western culture sees direct eye to eye contact as positive. In Arabic culture making prolonged eye contact demonstrates interest and helps them believe the truthfulness of the other person. Japan, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean avoid eye contact to show respect.
Posture Hands in pockets means disrespect in Turkey. Sitting with legs crossed is offensive in Thailand or Saudi Arabia.
Gesture Pointing: US with index the finger, Germany with the little finger, Japan with the entire hand.
Touch Many Asian people don’t touch strangers. English, German, Scandinavian, Chinese and Japanese have a little public touch. Latino, Middle-Eastern and Jewish accept frequents touch.
So from the evidence of these few examples, our culture also influences our communication. We understand differently the same gesture depending on where we grow up. I really appreciate my immersion not only for improving my English but also for opening my mind to other cultures.
THE PROVIDER’S GUIDE TO QUALITY & CULTURE
AMA's Cultural competence Compendium
By Julie St-Onge Michaud |
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How much do you say when you’re not actually speaking? How much do you understand other people by the gestures they make? I give Julie’s article on nonverbal communication two thumbs up, see if you do, too. |