Nonverbal communication

Like any form of communication, it is very relative and open to interpretation. Through the previous chapter we learned that our minds are embedded with scripts so many times we hear something different than what is actually said due to the fact of expectation. Moreover, we have also learned that preexisting attitudes that we have toward people, subjects, and etc affect our interpretation. Many times I have found myself interpreting people’s nonverbal messages. A specific experience that I can recall is not related to how I interpreted a message but how someone interpreted mine. A person who works at my office seems to interpret my looking at him as a invitation for him to come and talk. More specifically, when someone walks into a room, you tend to unconsciously turn and see who it is. I have learned to no longer turn and see because if it is him, and he sees you look at him, then you have to listen to him talk for about an hour. A way to increase accuracy in reading nonverbal messages is to be aware and conscious of the messages you are sending or that people tend to send. Making sure you read people and what they usually mean by certain cues will allow a better interpretation of the messages. For example, I realized that looking at him (even though accidently) he takes it as an invitation to come and talk, so I altered the messages I send (ie avoid looking at him) so I can send the message I want to send.