The key to becoming successful in both personal and professional relationships is to know how to communicate effectively. Nonverbal communication is as important as verbal communication as it is interconnected; both skills are needed to avoid misunderstanding.
Nonverbal Communication is communication that does not involve words. Some people would say that it is not words, but the body language that speaks the loudest. Nonverbal communication includes eye contact, facial expression, gestures, personal space, haptic or touch, and other ways people can communicate without using language.
Language barriers, in some cases, influence communication. American gestures mean various things in various nations. It’s critical to know about these multiple implications when traveling or working with individuals from a different culture.
Nonverbal joined with verbal communication can be deciphered in various manners. Individuals may appear to be confused on the off chance that somebody is talking in a well-mannered tone while swearing at them. Typically, individuals’ nonverbal communication flag their mood. Communication can either be viewed as inactive or forceful, relying upon both verbal and nonverbal intimations. The mix of both verbal and nonverbal communication is of the utmost importance for viably speaking with other people.
Nonverbal communication is essential as it be can be used to reinforce and modify what is being said in words. For example, the body language when someone nodding their heads mean that they are saying yes. When a customer is ordering two drinks at a bar and put up two fingers, it reinforces of what is being said and prevent misunderstanding. Another influence that nonverbal communication can do is that it can convey information about an emotional state. The facial expression, tone of voice, and body language can regularly tell other people precisely how you feel, regardless of whether they have not said a word.
The research by Albert Mehrabian shows that 55 percent of our message is conveyed by facial expression and body language, 38 percent by the tone of voice, and only 7 percent by words.
There are many forms of nonverbal communication, and it varies in a different culture. Eye contact is a crucial characteristic as it expresses feeling without using words, and it has a significant influence on individual’s social behavior. A facial expression is another form of nonverbal communication, it is used to convey emotions without using words, and it is universal. Gestures is a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning. Personal space is the space between yourself and others, where you feel safe and comfortable. It is your bubble. Haptic or touch is a type of nonverbal communication by touch. It can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy, and other emotions. Also, there are many different forms of nonverbal communication people use to communicate without using language.
Nonverbal communication can mean different meaning around the world, as not all culture has the same norms when it comes to body language. For instance, in Japan, a nod means that you have been heard, but not necessarily that there is agreement. Constant eye contact can make people feel incredibly awkward in Japan and blowing your nose into a handkerchief is considered dirty and rude to the Japanese. Clicking fingers or whistling is also considered very rude in China. A side-to-side head tilt is used to confirm something in India. The key take away in this is that just like every country have different spoken languages, they also have different nonverbal language. Everyone should respect other culture and knowing some nonverbal communication behavior can build a lifelong friendship and business deals.