Cross-Cultural Training

Lesson 4: Global Communciations

Introduction

Which of the following is a form of communication?

a)Speaking to someone

b)Standing in a corner in a crowded room with your arms folded

c)Avoiding eye contact as you make a store purchase

d)All of the above

If you chose d) all of the above, you are absolutely correct.

Speaking, or the use of language as a form of communication, is probably the most obvious form of communication. However, the body language used in answer (b) and the lack of eye contact in answer (c) are just as vocal as the spoken word.

Let’s take a closer look at response (b). You are at a party and see an acquaintance of yours named John standing alone in a corner with his arms crossed. You approach him and ask if he’s enjoying the party. He says, “Yes, I’m having a great time.” Do you believe him? Probably not because all of the non-verbal messages you’re receiving are telling you quite the opposite. Indeed, his body language is saying, “No, I’m miserable and I don’t feel comfortable in this setting.” The next day someone asks you if you thought John enjoyed the party. Your response may be, “He said he did, but it sure didn’t look like it.”

Now let’s look at response (c). Pretend that you are a cashier at a department store. You always greet your customers with a smile, followed by some polite conversation. However, when you smile at this one customer, she makes it a point to avoid eye contact as she hands you her purchase. Do you continue with your customary way of handling customers and speak to her? Probably not. By diverting her eyes she has essentially rejected your invitation to talk as clearly as if she had said, “I don’t want to talk to you.” You probably continue the transaction in silence.

These are examples of both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. What are some other factors that effect communication? You´ll find the answer in the sections that follow.

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