BUSINESS

COMMUNICATIO
N
ASSIGNMENT

“IMPORTANCE OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND ITS

IMPACT ON CULTURE”

Rupanshi singh
)

SEMESTER IV
ROLL NO. 21
 Contents

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION.....................................3

IMPORTANCE OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION..........3

EFFECTS OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION.................7

Non-verbal communication impact on culture...............9

 NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter
F. Drucker

Nonverbal communication describes the process of shared cues between people, which goes
hand-in-hand with public speaking. This can include eye contact, frequency of glances, blink
rate, gestures, facial expressions, postures, and more.

The presentation is, perhaps, the one mode of communication that has proved relevant
through every technological innovation. Our decks get more glamorous, but it’s still just you
on stage, in front of an audience. Nonverbal signals can increase trust, clarity, and add
interest to your presentation when yielded properly. Learning how to become more sensitive
to body language and nonverbal cues will make you the best presenter you can be.

IMPORTANCE OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Some important points expressing the importance, necessity, advantages or functions of non-
verbal communication are discussed below:

Well Expression of the Speaker’s Attitude

Various non-verbal cues of the speaker like physical movements, facial expression, a way of
expression, etc. play an important role in expressing the inner meaning of the messages in
face-to-face conversation and interview.

For example, the facial expression of the speaker indicates his attitude, determination depth
of knowledge, etc.

Providing Information Regarding the Sender of the Written Message

The format, neatness, language and the appearance of the envelope used in a written message
send a non-verbal message regarding the writer’s tests, choice, level of education, etc.
Expressing the Attitude of the Listener and Receiver

Sometimes the appearance of the listeners and receivers conveys their attitudes, feelings, and
thoughts regarding the messages they have read or heard.

Gaining Knowledge about a Class of People

Clothing, hairstyle, neatness, jewellery, cosmetics, and stature of people convey impressions
regarding their occupation, age, nationality, social or economic level, job status, etc.

For example; students, policemen, nurses, etc. can easily be identified through their dresses.

Gaining Knowledge about the Status of a Person

Non-verbal cues also help to determine the relative status of persons working in an
organization. For example, room size, location, furnishings, decorations, lightings, etc.
indicate the position of a person in the organization.

Communicating Common Message to All People

In some cases, non-verbal cues can effectively express many true messages more accurately
than those of any other method of communication.

For example; use of red, yellow and green lights and use of various signs in controlling
vehicles on the roads.

Communicating with the Handicapped People

Non- verbal cues of communication greatly help in communicating with the handicapped
people.

For example; the language of communication with the deaf depends on the movements of the
hands, fingers, and eyeball.

Conveying Message to the Illiterate People

Communication with illiterate people through written media is impossible. There may also be
some situations that do not allow the use of oral media to communicate with them.
In such situations, non-verbal methods like pictures, colors, graphs, signs, and symbols are
used as the media of communication.

For example; to indicate danger we use red sign and to mean dangerous we use a skull placed
between two pieces of bone put in a crosswise fashion.

Quick Expression of Message

Non-verbal cues like sign and symbol can also communicate some messages very quickly
than written or oral media.

For example; when drivers of a running vehicle are to be communicated that the road ahead is
narrow or there is a turn in the road ahead, we generally use signs or symbols rather than
using any written or oral message.

Presenting Information Precisely

Sometimes quantitative information on any issue may require a lengthy written message. But
this quantitative information can be presented easily and precisely through tables, graphs,
charts, etc.

Convey empathy and emotions

Non-verbal communication is used to show emotions like happiness, anger, sadness, interest,
curiosity, hurt, annoyance, anxiety, embarrassment, pleasure, hope, etc. People show these
emotions unconsciously most of the times.
They express their empathy through non-verbal communication too. People do not
unconsciously fake non-verbal communication but only sometimes do it deliberately. When
you communicate, you must compliment what you say with your gestures and body language.
You should also work to notice the non-verbal cues of the people you are interacting with.

Proper interpretation

Interpretation of non-verbal signals us not very easy at all times as it differs from person to
person and culture to culture as well as non-verbal communication does not have fixed
meanings and is different according to contexts.

But noticing and interpreting it properly gives you an advantage over the other person. We
learn to do it since childhood and we try to interpret consciously when we need it.
Misinterpretations can destroy relationships and creates problems.
Instinctive nature

As non-verbal communication is based on instinct mostly, people speak truth. We should

believe non-verbal massages more than verbal messages if there is a conflict between two
people. They show non-verbal cues as an instinct and accompany verbal communication.

Non-verbal communications are mostly natural like crying or laughing or having a personal
space. Not only humans, some animals also show this kind of behaviour.

Workplace Efficiency

Non-verbal communication makes work in offices better. It can also help in interviews and
businesses. Many other professions like teachers, journalists, lawyers, doctors, etc. need to
communicate in regular basis.
If their non-verbal communication is not up to the mark, then their work will suffer. For
example, eye contact in interviews and meetings show confidence and interest. While eye
contact shows those things, it can also show over confidence. It also shows trustworthiness
and accuracy of intentions.
Understanding

Non-verbal communication increases understanding of messages. When verbal and nonverbal

communication is similar, it establishes better perspective on the message being sent. The
sender of message as well as receiver gets what is the intended meaning of the message and
can act accordingly. Process of sending and receiving of message is successful and gets
desired results.

EFFECTS OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

These are the 5 effects of non-verbal communication:

Repetition

Non-verbal signs are important as it puts more emphasis and reinforcement to the things
being said. When you are angry and your body language also shows you are, then the person
who is being scolded will feel afraid. If body language is different, then the scolding won’t
work.

Contradiction

Non-verbal signals can be contradictory to what is being said. At those times, non-verbal
signals are true mostly. For instance, when you ask someone and he/she says that they are
fine but are crying or having sad expressions. Contradiction in verbal and non-verbal
communication is also sometimes important to know emotions of the people involved.
Substitution

Complementing

Non-verbal communication mostly works complimentary to verbal signals. For example,

people in pain say that they are in pain whereas their expressions and gestures also say the
same thing. Gestures add and accompany words which have similar meanings.

Substitution

Many times, non-verbal communications take place instead. Sometimes silence also
communicates better than words and it is contextual. Traffic signals can make people do
things without words. Similarly, signals in games also denote different things which are
established and everybody understands.
Accenting

Non-verbal cues can act as a way to emphasize certain points in a conversation. Non-verbal
communication acts stronger than verbal communication in most cases. If you want to point
or underline a specific part of message, then you use some signs which show that you mean
it. For example, you can pound a fist on table to show it is said with power or anger.

Therefore, non-verbal communication is more important than verbal communication in many

situations. So, its importance is situational and contextual but without it communication is
incomplete. Sometimes, non-verbal communication can stand alone and gives out important
messages.
 Non-verbal communication impact on culture

Across the world, people use nonverbal communication as a way to communicate with
others. However, how that nonverbal communication is presented may vary greatly from
culture to culture and country to country.

Here are the top 8 differences in nonverbal communications across cultures:

1. Eye contact.  In most Western cultures, eye contact is considered to be a good thing.
It demonstrates attentiveness, confidence and honesty. In Asia, the Middle East, Hispanic
cultures and Native American cultures – eye contact is often considered disrespectful. In
many Eastern cultures, women are discouraged from having eye contact with men as it
conveys authority or sexual interest. In some cultures, gazing at someone is normal but in
most cultures, staring is considered rude.

2. Touch.  Cultural expressions and communication is often derived through touch.

However, touching other people is often taken as rudeness in many cultures. Yet, shaking
hands is considered to be acceptable in most cultures. People in Asia are more conservative in
these types of non-verbal communication. Patting head or shoulder also has different
meanings in different cultures. In some Asian cultures touching children (or anyone for that
matter) on the head is quite disrespectful as the head is considered to be sacred. In the United
States, we often pat children on the head and it is okay and can be a show of endearment.
There are also a wide range of cultural viewpoints on the appropriate rules regarding physical
contact between both similar and opposite genders. In parts of the E.U. it is common to kiss
someone you greet informally on both cheeks but not in the U.S or other areas of the world.
In the Middle East and India, the left hand is customarily used to handle bodily hygiene, so
using the left hand to accept a gift or shake hands (or eat) is considered extremely rude.

3. Gestures.  Gestures are a common form of nonverbal communication whether we

shrug our shoulders, give a high five or nod our heads (the most recognized gesture in the
world). When travelling in Costa Rica, pedestrians give drivers a thumb up if they allowed
the foot traveller to walk by. In the United States, the thumb and index finger in a circle
means “Okay” but is seen as vulgar in other cultures and in Japan some even take the thumbs
up as a deference to money; whereas in France it’s meaning is associated with worthlessness
or zero. Snapping your fingers to get the attention of a waiter is okay in some parts of the
world but is disrespectful and offensive in other areas of the globe. Some cultures consider
pointing fingers at someone as insulting whereas in other parts of the world it is often used as
a reference. In Polynesia, people stick out their tongue to greet people, but in most other
cultures it is considered a sign of mockery.
4. Physical Space.  Also known as proxemics, the physical space between other people
is a form of nonverbal communication. There are four zones of proxemics:  intimate,
personal, social and public. People in different cultures have various levels of tolerance for
proxemics. In many cultures, people are uncomfortable with close proximity (intimate and
personal) to others and prefer a more social distance (four to seven feet) when
communicating. Entering somebody’s personal space (1.5 – 2.5 feet) is normally an
indication of familiarity or intimacy. However, it can be problematic to maintain personal
space when in a crowded situations such as a train, elevator or street. Many people find such
physical proximity to be psychologically disturbing and uncomfortable, although it is
accepted as a fact of modern life. When in doubt, give more clearance than less until you are
invited in closer.

5. Facial Expressions.  Facial expressions are responsible for a huge percentage of

nonverbal communication. A simple smile, frown or smile can convey a ton of information.
A person’s face is often the first thing we see even before we hear what they have to say,
giving rise to a lot of nonverbal speak. Interestingly, the facial expressions for happiness,
sadness, anger, and fear are universal around the world!

6. Appearance.  How we present ourselves to the public eye through our outward

appearance is nonverbal communication. People are often judged or assessed based on their
appearance. How one dresses (clothing), grooms oneself (hair, makeup, etc.) and even
modesty can convey various messages in communication. Many cultures are offended by
shoulders or legs exposed even while visiting museums and places of worship. The variances
are so great on this topic that we would recommend dressing up or more conservatively is
always best when travelling. 

7. Body Movement & Posture.  Body movements can clearly convey intent, emotion
and communication. It can show how people feel or think about you. Whether you face a
person while talking, how you hold yourself when expressing confidence or simply whether
you sit near or far from another person can provide nonverbal communicative messages. In
some cultures, keeping your hands in pockets is a sign of disrespect while in other countries,
sitting cross-legged is offensive.

8. Paralanguage.  Paralanguage refers to vocal communication that is separate from

actual language. Paralanguage includes factors such as tone of voice, inflection, loudness,
speed and pitch. Simply changing your tone of voice may change the meaning of a sentence.
More relevant today is the lack of paralanguage in our everyday use of texting, emailing and
chatting on line. This phenomenon or lack thereof, is one of the main reasons people get
upset with each other over electronic communication rather than in person or on the phone.