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Non-Verbal Communication

In: Philosophy and Psychology

Submitted By Travvvy3x
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Non-Verbal Communication
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said” (Peter F. Drucker, N.D.). Non-verbal communication is defined as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless cues between people. These wordless cues comes from our non-verbal behaviors; body movement, gestures, eye contact, personal space etc. (Richard Nordquist, N.D.). Although words are usually used to express our thoughts, we still convey most of the meaning through nonverbal codes. The world’s vast cultural diversity influences the way each culture interprets these non-verbal messages whereby a non-verbal expression is considered to be fine at one place but not at another.
Touching perspectives are culturally determined as each culture has a clear view on when and where one may touch or not. In year 2009, as the First Lady of the United States briefly laid her hand on the back of Queen Elizabeth II at a reception, it sparked a global debate as etiquette is stern about this matter as rules are set in stone regarding one’s touch towards the queen (NYDailynews.com, 2009). Here in the United States, handshakes are common even towards strangers while hugs and kisses are exchanged between the opposite gender in the family or close acquaintance. Another example would be an African-American male who came across a Korean female receptionist and got upset as she put his key down on the counter instead of handing it to him. This doesn’t mean that the Korean is unfriendly or rude as it’s her culture; be it a traditional Korean or many other Asians to not touch strangers, especially of different sex. The same logic goes for the Islamic culture believers as touching between genders are not appropriate even though it’s a formal handshake. However, touching among the same-sex like handshake or hugs are allowed. Islamic and Hindu believers also do not touch

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