Chapter 4 : Words are not
Enough : Body language
I.Objectives:
Realize the importance of non-verbal communication
Describe the different elements of body language
Discuss correct eye contact
Demonstrate elements of body language and eye contact
Name some differences in Vietnamese and Anglo-Saxon body language
Give concrete examples of common Vietnamese and foreign body language
II.Non-verbal communication
Definitions : Non-verbal communication takes place when the sender passes a message to the reciver through a means other than speech
Components:
Body language
Eye contact
Tone of voice
Attire
Grooming
Comportment
Etiquette
Attitude
Contact and distance
III.Gesture
Definitions : the movement of a finger, hand or arm
type of gestures:
Autistic
Technical
Folk
Autistic, or nervous,gestures are made by individuals in
response to their own emotion
Examples : biting lips or fingernails ,cracking knuckles , or jiggling a leg
The sign of the deaf, the gestures of umpires and reverees, military salutes, and the signals of the music conductors,traffic directors and radio performers
on the other hand, are the property of an entire culture and are passed on by imitation . Something as simple as the act of pointing is a folk gesture
V. Facial Expressions
Kineme is a single communicative movement
The most common facial expression is the smile . Smile is a way to put people at ease and make them feel welcome
Another common facial expression is the frown . This should only be used as a control measure if a tourist is behaving in an inappropriate manner
Wrinkling the nose.This expression means that something is distasteful or smells bad
Stick the tongue out of the mouth : This is considered very rude
IV.Posture :
Posture can send many messages to the observer. These are some different postures used to mean humility or modesty in cultures accros the world
Sumatrans : Bowing while putting joined hands between those of the other person and lifting them to one's forehead
Chinese : Joining hands over the head and bowing
Turks and Persions : Bowing,extending the right arm,moving the arm down from the horizontal position , raising it to the level of one's head, and loweing it again
VI. Eye contact
Eye contact is the process of looking directly in the eyes of the person being spoken to.
Making eye contact indicates that a person;is self confident and sure of themselves .
It also indicates an interest in other or attentiveness to their needs
It can also mean that the person making the eye contact has nothing to hide and therefore is being honest