Demonstrative Communication Paper
Me
BCOM 275
03/18/2012

Abstract
Demonstrative communication is a form of communication where two parts are required to be in sequence and work in harmony. In this way, one fully conveys to an audience what is being said and the true significance of the message is received. I think we can all relate to the days of old when the instructor was in the front of the class room rambling about a subject that his heart was not in and you could see in his eyes that he would trade his birthday just to skip out of the particular subject. The only saving grace to this type of delivery was the “stomping of the foot on the floor” or the tone of his voice changing way out of the norm. These none verbal messages would indicate to us that whatever he was about to repeat would be directly on the test. Then we would drift back to our personal thought until the episode would repeat itself and the flurry of writing would happen again. Demonstrative communication is the true essence of how and sometimes why we as humans can come to the edge of self annihilation, and rebound into a devoted and responsible society. Let’s take a vague look at 9/11. Was there any chance that the United States of America was not going to hurt something or somebody for this unspeakable act? Why? Airplanes each year run into buildings and have been since the start of flight. Why then did this make a difference to the normal self-serving American? What was the first thing you did when you heard this take place? You turned on the TV or radio to be bombarded with graphic videos and pictures of the event, reporters going over and over the devastation and carnage depicting victims who lost everything. The pictures, presentation, and tone were purposely meant to evoke fear for our nation and maybe even its very existence! This event sparked outrage and determination to seek out and take revenge. Through expressions and gestures we can enrage our audience with enthusiasm to the point of going to war with another nation or quiet an uncontrollable mob just through presence of a respected authority figure who has a look of genuine resolve to show us that we will be taken care of.
Now let’s take a look back from the moment we are born. This is when demonstrative communication begins to play an ever expanding role in our everyday lives. As babies the old saying is eat, sleep, and, poop. Through nonverbal cues we can pacify the youngster and also deliver love and compassion without vocalization. As we grow up we pick up even more understanding of nonverbal communication. How we would anticipate our parents were going to react to any given situation or the telltale look in your mother or fathers eyes that said YOU ARE IN BIG TROUBLE! Did you need any form of verbal warning or did you just know “yep I am through”. Furthermore without looking at facial expressions have you ever heard one of your parents call you by voice and know instantly if it was good or bad? Of course you can. This is a trait we will all pass on from generation to generation to come.
As we venture into the work place we project our feelings to each other every day without saying a word but we may also say one thing and project the opposite in return. An example of this would be when I asked a colleague of mine if he would be interested in looking over a report I was writing for a class. His verbal response was “sure buddy, I’ll do that” However his non-verbal language said ‘I would rather shove pencils in my eyes than look at it’.
I will share some thoughts on non-verbal communication taken from America to other countries and some adverse troubles associated with it. Showing the soles of your feet in most Middle Eastern countries is frowned upon. For Americans, sitting for any length of time we always cross our feet in one way or another which in turn shows disrespect to our hosts. I grew up in the heavy metal era of music and would make my hands into “horns” by using my thumb to hold down the number two and three finger. This normal hand gesture conveys a completely different meaning in Spain and South America as there is it interpreted as one’s wife is being unfaithful. As demonstrative communication is always evolving, in the end it can be the manifestation of your true nature coming out in a natural and unique way.