Reading Non

Verbal
Communication
 There are always meanings to any movement or
activity of a speaker. Nonverbal communication or
body language includes facial expressions, body
movement and gestures, eye contact, posture,
voice tone, breathing, clothes and more. The
ability to understand and use nonverbal
communication can help connect with others, give
exact meaning and build relationships at work and
home. In doing so, one must:
 Be aware of individual differences

Culture and races are different. People use

different nonverbal gestures. Other factors
that signal the differences in nonverbal
gestures are age, religion, gender, emotional
state and environment.
 Meaning of Hand
Gestures in Different
Countries
 Match up verbal with nonverbal signals

These two should match. If they don’t

match, listeners take the nonverbal signal
than the verbal. The speaker should not
confuse his audience. The listener may
also think the speaker is not honest.
 Use gesture depending on context
The tone of the voice differs when talking to
children about values and to adult. Be careful in
using gestures in serious communication. Emotional
state of the conversationalist should be taken into
consideration also. Different occasions and places
also require different gestures. One hand gesture in
one occasion and place may not be used in another.
 Avoid negative gestures
Better use body language to convey positive feelings
even when not actually experiencing them. If one is
nervous about a situation like job interview, important
presentation, or first date, use positive body language to
signal confidence, although he is not feeling it. Instead of
having head down, eyes averted, and sliding into a chair,
try standing tall with shoulders back, smiling and
maintaining eye contact, and delivering a firm
handshake. It makes one feel confident and help put the
other person at ease.