How to build rapport while wearing Mask?

With the onset of COVID-19, the balance of the world will be

tilted for some time and all the basic activities will see an undue
change. One of the most basic and vital activities that will see
this change is Communication. Mask has a vital role in
containing this pandemic and it will be challenging to
communicate with others while wearing a Mask. Since half of
the face will be covered by the mask, so it will be tough
communicating with people without knowing their expressions.
An expression is a part of non-verbal communication which is
extremely important in a conversation. The expression on the
face of a person helps in understanding their emotions. But this
barrier will help us in exploring some new ways of
communicating with people by focusing on some new aspects.
Some of the ways through which we can communicate by
following the protocols and while effectively engaging in
meaningful conversation are as follows:

Talking With Your Eyes

Talking with your eyes is one of the most expressive ways of
communication. A person’s eyes convey a lot of information.
Even though it is difficult to see a person smile in a mask but a
twinkle and wrinkle in his eyes will answer the question. An eye
also displays Fear, Sadness, or Anger. So practicing
communicating with your eyes is one way to conquer the wall of
communication.

Talking With your Mask on

Practicing speaking with your mask on is also one easy way of
effective communication. With little practice and by modulating
your voice effectively is one way to solve the problem. It will
require you to speak a little louder than you generally do but not
extremely loud. Taking pauses and speaking expressively is
also one way to go.
Listening
Listening is one of the most essential components of
communication. You need to listen carefully and diligently to a
person when he is speaking. As half the communication is in
listening and responding. Actively listening and nodding your
head in a conversation is very important. When you listen
properly you understand the tone of the person and you can
understand some of his emotion which in turn helps you in
responding to him appropriately.

Gestures and Body Language

55% of the time communication is the Body language. Body
language is very important and is one of the important
nonverbal communication tool. Your body language sends a lot
of information to the person you are talking to and a lot can be
interpreted. The way you Sit, Stand, or the position of your legs,
your position of arms always convey some meaning to the
person talking to you. So, it is important to understand and
adjust your body language accordingly. Gestures are also
important as the Mask will be covering your facial expressions.
You can display your expressions through your gestures. Like
waving of your Hands and folding your palms can be used to
communicate effectively.

Usage of Video Conferencing Platform

With the offices, Workplaces, and Classrooms taking the
backseat in this pandemic and the normalization of Work from
Home and Online Learning. Video Conferencing is proving to
be one of the most sought out methods in communicating.
Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype are some players who are
dominating the Video Conferencing platforms. These platforms
are not better than in-person interaction but are nonetheless
effective.
It will be some time before this pandemic subsides and it looks
like the masks are here to stay here for some unforeseeable
time. For the time being the methods stated above will ease the
communication blockade and ease our life just a little bit. 

Nothing Lasts Forever and This too shall pass.