Introduction
Culture and non-verbal communication are a study in contrast considering that in most cases, non-verbal cues vary depending on an individual's culture. The manner at which one ethnic group uses non-verbal cues may have a different meaning in another culture. Thus, in some instances, miscommunication happens. It is therefore of prime importance that people learn the various cultural differences and similarities when in a different country. Such is the case in the movie, Outsourced (2006), when lead character Todd Anderson's team of call center agents was relieved of their job because the company decided to outsource their job to India. Because of this, Todd was forced to move to India to set up a new call center and bring the agents up to speed. He was also required to train the future manager of the India team. The movie emphasizes the cultural differences between the United States of America and India, including the divergence in various non-verbal communications. The movie emphasizes the importance of understanding the meanings of non-verbal cues, especially in relation to cultural differences. Thus, to aid in understanding the subject of non-verbal cues, the term will be defined, examples provided, and a reflection about the effects of non-verbal communication will be discussed.
Defining Non-Verbal Communication
Communicating using non-verbal cues is an expansive theory (Hall, 2005, p. 160) and encompasses a lot of other concepts. According to definition, non-verbal communication refers to gestures, facial expressions, eye positions, body positioning during communication, and tonal voice, among others (Cheesebro, O'Connor, & Rios, 2010, p. 88). People communicate in this manner deliberately or unconsciously, thus, it is important to learn to discern the meanings behind the responses. Cheesebro et al. (2010) pointed out that "nonverbal communication is present everywhere and makes up the bulk of the messages" (p. 88) that one receives. In some cases, it is the only form of communication needed to understand what is happening to another individual. However, despite the many expressions of non-verbal communication, a collapse in the communication process transpires because those involved in the process "often do very little to learn and understand about nonverbal communication" (p. 88). These subtle cues often go undetected because of the inability to read between the lines or simply to interpret the actions. As this happens, a huge amount of information is missed along the process.
One more concept that further describes non-verbal communication is how messages are sent in advance of the spoken concept (Cheesebro et al, 2010, p. 89). Often, body language as well as eye communication convey what the speaker really implies particularly spoken phrases together with non-verbal hints usually do not enhance each other. For illustration, a man who is turned down by the lady he goes after and feels terrible concerning the predicament may actually express he is good rather than bothered by what happened, while his body language indicates a declined position and his eyes show a sad, expressionless appearance. The final principle refers to the previous one given that it suggests demonstrative communication is "about people's identities, their emotions, and their relationships" (Cheesebro et al, 2010, p. 89). The way a human being holds himself in public areas, his actions, the way he dresses, and accents used to raise one's appearance, among others, virtually all point out much in regards to the image a person wants to project as well as convey to others.
According to Hall (2005), there are other ways to determine the meaning of non-verbal cues. Individuals must learn to observe how others react towards them, including their bodily reactions and facial expressions (called kinesics); distance when talking with other people (called proxemics); and the use of paralanguage (p. 182). This last one refers to tonal quality, voice, rate of speaking, pitch, and quality of voice (Nikitina). Studies reveal that people respond better to others who talk the same way as them because voice can "engage, charm, encourage, motivate, persuade, or gain people's attention and trust" (Nikitina). In the same manner, the tonal quality of one's voice, including voice inflections, can also give the impression that an individual is unprofessional in dealings with others, lacks personality, is insecure, and has no interest on what others are saying to them (Nikita).
The movie revealed so many examples of nonverbal cues coming from the main actors as well as the supporting actors. For instance, the scene where Todd was approached by many taxi drivers all vying for his attention showed his extreme bewilderment on how a simple act of hiring a taxi can attract such attention from so many individuals. While trying to be polite, he also kept on saying "thank you, thank you", though no one seemed to notice. He only found his chance to leave the mob upon seeing a lone man standing near a taxi and who did not join the flock of people offering their taxi services. As the man simply stood as he looked at Todd conveyed a message that he can also offer the same services to him, but without the accompanying attention. It was a good way of attracting Todd's attention because the man was the only one not approaching him. In simple terms, it was also a form of non-verbal communication. But because Todd was not familiar with the culture and the language, he could not express what he wanted to do. This example proves that communication may occur even without the help of words, but through bodily movements alone. In fact, eye contact is already a form of non-verbal communication. To further support this argument, Hall (2005) insinuated that non-verbal communication skills are learned and begin at an early age, although people are normally not aware that they are already sending non-verbal cues to other people (p. 160).
Non-verbal communication also pertains to space or proxemics. Hall (2005) suggested that for individuals whose relationships are more intimate, distance is about 18 inches away from each other (p. 172), while those who maintain a professional relationship or are not within the immediate circle, the social space is about 4-12 feet (p. 172). This was very much evident on how Todd conducted himself when in the presence of Puro at the office. Because the relationship is that of mentor and mentee, their distance was oftentimes was about 4 feet away from each other. However, during a light moment when Puro and Todd were seen drinking, the distance between them was much closer because the relationship was more of friends and colleague. The same can be observed with Todd's relationship with Asha. Both tried to maintain a huge space in-between them when in the presence of other people, but during their romantic moments, they often stayed very near each other.
Finally, non-verbal communication may happen with the use of paralanguage, or use of hand gestures alongside changes in tonal quality. During instances when the boy would pretend to ask something from Todd, the boy would use a sad look to appeal to Todd's feelings. On the other hand, Todd would often allow the kid to get what he wants (food and pens), and every time, the boy would give him a big hug and steal his cell phone. During these instances, Todd would often shout after the boy and throw his arms in the air to show frustration on what the boy just did. Thus, it further strengthens the theory that hand gestures are effective ways to demonstrate what people feel when spoken words are limited.
Based on this exercise, including watching the movie and discussion in class, it further strengthened my supposition that people respond more on the way words are said instead of what the message is about. Thus, through changes in voice quality, pitch, speaking rate, and volume, perceptions that may be positive or negative are formed. In addition, understanding nonverbal cues is very important considering that they can be construed in many ways. It may be interpreted "in light of culture, status, gender, and personality traits" (Cheesebro et al, 2010, p. 91). A parent who is reprimanding a child may grip the child on the shoulders to give emphasis on what the parent is trying to convey. Thus, because of their relationship, the distance between them is closer. Patting someone on the back may be construed as a congratulatory act for doing something good or simply a manner of greeting another person .
Non-verbal cues, depending on culture, may be misinterpreted when done on a more conservative country. One example is how Latin Americans typically greet each other since kissing and hugging is normal for them (Cheesebro et al, 2010, p. 92). Thus, when done in countries such as India, it may offend the sensibilities of other people.
Non-verbal cues are effective methods of communicating thoughts and feelings. Therefore, individuals must not center on verbal cues alone when they want to send messages to others. To make the communication approach more effective, one must show a thorough perception of non-verbal styles of communication in order to interpret the actions and reactions appropriately.
References
Cheesebro, T., O'Connor, L., & Rios, F. (2010). Communicating in the workplace. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hall, B. J. (2005). Among cultures: The challenge of communication (2nd ed). Belmont, CA: Thomas Wadsworth.
Nikitina, A. (n.d.). Paralanguage: What does your voice say about you. Arina Nikitina's Blog. Retrieved from http://www.arinanikitina.com/paralanguage-what-does-your-voice-say-about-you.html
Outsourced. Dir. John Jeffcoat. Perf. Ayesha Dharker, Josh Hamilton, and Asif Basra. ShadowCatcher Entertainment, 2006. Film.
