Blog post #2

“Often what we do not say is more telling than what we actually speak”. (Communication a Critical/Cultural Introduction, John T. Warren, pg 102). Nonverbal communication one hundred percent speaks louder than words do. There are a number of way the body speaks without using words, for example there is chronemics, haptics, proxemics, facial expressions, artifacts, and kinesics. These are things that you may not think are sending messages, but your body is constantly sending messages. Chronemics is the study of how time functions as part of communication. I think this is even more relevant now because of social media and text messages. The amount of time it takes you to respond or not respond is also sending a message that can be very ambiguous. “Haptics is the study of the significance of touch” (Communication a Critical/Cultural Introduction, John T. Warren pg 110). Haptics is significant because the way people hug you or hold your hand says a lot about you as well as your relationship. If you give a big bear hug versus a weak side hug, you are sending a message of whether you like that person or not as well as the level in which you like that person.

            Nonverbal cues are so important because it is impossible to not communicate. Nonverbal cues say a lot about our presenting self and how we fit into society. For example appearance and clothing all tell a story about the kind of person you are, whether you are fun and outgoing or whether you are smart or funny. How attractive you are is also determined by other peoples nonverbal cues toward you. The book Looking out Looking In, Ronald B Adler says “Research shows that we do make assumptions about people bases on their clothing”. Clothing too gives off nonverbal cues, for example if you dress very formal and presentable to an interview you are more likely to get the job versus someone who shows up in sweat pants to the same interview.

            We give off nonverbal cues more than we think. Sitting in a classroom and making eye contact with your crush and either looking away or maintaining eye contact can say a lot to the other person about whether or not you are equally as interested as the other person. Nonverbal has such a more powerful way of communicating because you cannot hide your nonverbal. You roll your eyes or face toward another person while talking seem so harmless but give off a powerful message.