Non-verbal
messages can be very confusing, especially to those who have never attempted
some level of understanding relating to how the conscious or subconscious body
language presents itself. If someone who is speaking is aware of their body
language, they can be attentive to their own body language to reduce the
potential for miscommunication. I personally have been very wrong about the
message that someone’s body language is conveying. The person I was
communicating with was acting withdrawn, and it was very difficult to get any
kind of response from the individual. Their body language was such that I felt
that they just needed some personal space, and wanted to be left alone.
Unfortunately, the person was suffering from a medium case of anaphylactic
shock. The person was unable to respond due to their body swelling and their
throat constricting. The person got my attention when I stated that I would
give them their personal space, so no harm was done. The situation could have
gone much worse. People can increase the accuracy that they interpret the
nonverbal messages by studying and understanding certain body signals. Does the
person have a nervous twitch? Do they just like talking with their hands?
Additionally understanding some of the signals, and how they can be different
from person to person is also helpful.
Oh my goodness that is definitely a shocking view of nonverbal messages! My grandfather was diabetic and would definitely change when his blood sugar was low. He became aggressive physically and exuded anger which was so unlike his personality. I am a very shy, introverted person so my body language usually comes off as standoffish, rude or impolite. Really I am just nervous and shy and avoid awkward conversations. My biggest fear is a conversation ending awkwardly or awkward pauses in conversation so I purposely avoid conversations with people I don’t know that well. I also avoid eye contact because I feel it is too intimate for someone I don’t know well.
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