Between having something to say and saying something lies the territory non-verbal communication. This is something that adds to the impact of whatever it is that is to be communicated. The body must be in sync with what you are saying… I mean, a peppy waving of hands at a solemn moment runs the risk of being misconstrued for sure.
“A smile goes along way.” This is very true. A smile is a sign of friendliness, understanding, and caring. It is easily recognized and can be used throughout the world to mean the same thing to everyone. A smile can be used to show someone that you mean no harm; it can also be used to create peace. When you walk into a room and smile, people are comforted by you, regardless of your race, religion, or social status. A frown is used in the same way as a smile, however, a frown can indicates disappointment, anger, or sadness.
A person’s tone of voice is another type of communication. When a person is yelling, regardless of the language they are using, it makes one think that the person is angry. When someone talks quietly, it is obvious that they are peaceful. A person who is laughing gives the indication that they are happy and carefree.
Another type of non-verbal communication is body language. Some people use their hands to express their views and this is a big clue as to what they are saying. When a person waves their hands around a lot it makes one think they are angry or upset about something. When someone has their hands on their hips it makes one think they are frustrated or bored. Crossing your arms in front of you, gives someone the idea that you are defensive or upset about something. When someone fidgets a lot, one gets the indication that the person is nervous.
Eyes can be another important clue as to what someone is saying. When a person raises his or her eyebrows, one thinks he or she is surprised. A person can show they are angry at someone just by the way they look at them. When someone smiles, their eyes reflect their happiness. A person who is sad often shows it by the tears flowing from their eyes.
The final way that people communicate is the use of symbols. By using objects and actions to show what you mean, people can usually figure out what you are trying to say. Acting out what you mean or drawing a picture can often be very useful in getting your point across. A friend works at a Hotel and meets a lot of people who don’t speak English. This fellow has learned to read people’s facial expressions and their body language. He has got used to being able to tell if someone is getting angry by their tone of voice. When he is trying to check someone in, it is often difficult to explain to people that he needs their credit card and signature so he often has to use objects and actions to explain to them what he needs. This is all that communication is about… and the body does its bit to help communicate better.
Although there is the boundary of spoken language between humans, there are obviously other ways that people use to communicate with one another. Facial expressions, body language, and symbols can collectively be used to get your point across. I think I would not be wrong if I say that the body is always tuned in to communicate… therefore, make this as peppy as possible and let the response always be: Fantastico! I understand you now.
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Let the body say it for you
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This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.
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Arvind Passey
08 February 2016
