Respond to the Classmate’s Discussion (below) to the above question as you would in a face-to-face class by stating why you agree as pertaining to the discussion and by probing questions. Your response posts need to be at least 200 words each. Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas.

Discussion (Sarah) Nonverbals include everything except actual words (Adams & Galanes, 2021 and Navarro, 2020). Communicating and speaking are not synonymous. You can communicate without saying any words. Body language, frequently done automatically rather than intentionally, uses actions, gestures, and expressions to communicate nonverbally (Segal et al., 2023). We constantly communicate information about our values and beliefs without realizing it or speaking a word (Navarro, 2020). Nonverbal communication is not only important but necessary. Without nonverbal communication, human interaction fails to make sense (Zhang & Qin, 2022).

According to Adams & Galanes (2021), the categories of nonverbal communication are appearance, space and seating, facial expression and eye contact, movements, voice, and timing. The category of appearance deals with first impressions: dress, grooming, body type, presumed age, etc. Navarro (2020) mentions in his Ted Talk that he was told he could dress down because the environment at Ted Talk Conferences is relaxed, but he wore a suit because that is what he feels is appropriate. People in the audience, most without even knowing it, probably formed an option of him based solely on his dress before he started talking. Space and seating deal with how much or little space people are comfortable with between them. Physical space can communicate signals of intimacy and affection, aggression, or dominance, and the meaning can and will change depending on the culture (Segal et al., 2023). Facial expressions and eye contact are significant factors in nonverbal communication. Your facial expression can change the entire meaning of your words. If you are smiling while you say something, it can mean something completely different than if you are scowling or frowning while saying the same words. Some people feel that direct eye contact means paying attention, but you are lying or uninterested if you avoid eye contact. Movements can deal with hand movements while talking or other small body movements. Hand movements while talking can be interpreted to mean that you are passionate about what you are speaking about. Small body movements such as shaking a foot or leg or tapping a pencil can be interpreted as anxiousness or annoyance (Adams & Galanes, 2021). Your voice can indicate if you are excited or upset, depending on your speech’s tone, pitch, and speed (Segal et al., 2023). An example of how the nonverbal category of timing can be interpreted is when someone shows up to a meeting late; some people will feel like that person believes that their time is more important than everyone else’s (Adams & Galanes, 2021).

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Nonverbal communication can cause difficulties when dealing with different cultures, or on the other hand; it can be a way to communicate without speaking the same language. “Culture plays an irreplaceable role in nonverbal communication” (Zhang & Qin, 2022, pp. 104-105). The same behavior may mean different things depending on the culture. In Chinese culture, seeing two young men holding hands is not uncommon, and they are only thought of as good friends. In Western cultures, the same two young men would be considered gay. “Eye contact in the United States is a sign of confidence, but in parts of Asia and the Middle East, it can be seen as rude or challenging” (Schueneman, 2023). Understanding cultural differences and how to communicate effectively, both verbally and nonverbally, across cultures is essential to avoiding unintentional offense or misunderstanding. When used effectively, nonverbals can be used to communicate with other cultures when language is a barrier. For example, if you are on vacation and need an extra pillow, the maid does not speak your language. You can pretend you are sleeping and make snoring sounds to help them understand. Another example would be smiling at someone going through a difficult situation and trying to show compassion, even if you cannot communicate verbally.