Communication is a process in which people share information and ideas verbally or nonverbally. Nonverbal communication can be best defined as a silent form of communication with a person or party without using any form of speech to attract audience attention or exploit a message. Nonverbal communication is often used to express one or more thoughts and make your message more attractive and interesting to whomever you are speaking to. Nonverbal communication has a great influence on our social environment and the entire communication process. There are many types and functions of nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication regulates relationships and can support or even replace verbal communications in many situations. Different genders and cultures use nonverbal communication differently and these differences can impact the nature of interpersonal communication. Nonverbal communication can become a barrier or remove barriers to effective communication. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay I conducted my own observation of nonverbal communication in a restaurant, which is done daily. Nonverbal rules may differ in different situations, and each situation determines its set of rules. The restaurant is located in Waynesboro, Mississippi, where I live. The restaurant's clientele consisted of all types of cultures and family classes. The customers' distinctive designs were very visible. Different types of clients had very different but distinct sets of nonverbal communication behaviors. I observed three different groups, elderly people, young adults and children. I observed them differently to determine the differences in which age and gender play a role in nonverbal behavior rules. Many different types of nonverbal communication have been observed, such as body language, hand movements, facial expressions, and eye contact. There are four important functions of nonverbal communication. These functions can complement, regulate, replace or accentuate a verbal message. In addition to functions, there are many types of nonverbal communication. These different types include paralanguage, body movements, facial expressions, eye messages, attractiveness, clothing, body adornment, space and distance, touch, time, smell, and mannerisms. There are cultural and co-cultural variations in each case of what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable practice (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). When describing functions with complementation, body language can be used to support or add credibility to your words, and if this body language is considered authentic, then the overall message is reinforced (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). If body language is perceived as false or misleading, then it falls into the category of conflict. By regulating, body language fulfills the function of rhythm and regulation of communication (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). For example, in a group of people, there are a number of nonverbal cues indicating when one person has finished speaking and it is another person's turn. The substitution function uses body language to replace verbal communication (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). For example, if you're caught in a conversation with someone who won't stop talking, it's hard to come out and tell that person you're having it.enough of the conversation. Instead, you can substitute body language, such as looking away or walking away. The final function of emphasis is a type of body language that emphasizes, accentuates, softens, or otherwise enhances your verbal communication (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). You can point your finger to draw attention to the subject of your words, or you can reach out and touch the hand of a child you are correcting or disciplining. Paralanguage refers to the nonverbal elements of communication used to modify meaning and convey emotion. Paralanguage can be expressed consciously or unconsciously and includes pitch, volume, frequency and quality. Sometimes the definition is limited to sounds produced vocally. The study of paralanguage is known as paralinguistic cues. Bodily or kinesic movements refer to all forms of bodily movements that constitute an important part of nonverbal communication behavior. Body movement transportation has many specific meanings and interpretations that may be culturally related. Since many movements are performed without awareness, body movements are likely to be misinterpreted in a different cultural communication situation. Some words associated with bodily movement may be emblems that replace words and phrases, illustrators accompany or reinforce verbal messages, display of feelings show emotion, regulators control the flow and rhythm of communication and adapters release physical or emotional tension (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). Facial expressions can show happiness, sadness, fear and anger which are easily identifiable in all cultures. Additionally, facial expressions play an important role in proximity. Eye messages are messages given only with the eyes. In American culture, eye contact is a sign of honesty, credibility, warmth and involvement. Other cultures require eye contact. Conversations without eye contact represent disinterest, inattention, rudeness, shyness or deception. Eye messages show connection with others, attention, involvement, immediacy, but prolonged gazes show negative and intimidating expressions. Eye messages look delightful and wonderful in eye rolling as they are known to be flirtatious (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). The perception of nonverbal communication began during the first year of life, when we learned to communicate without words as infants. Infants learn the difference between a scowl and a smile early on, and they quickly learn to express their own feelings through nonverbal communication. How nonverbal cues are perceived and interpreted in relationships can make the difference between a positive and negative impression. Paralinguistics applies the old adage; It’s not what you say but how you say it. Regardless of speed, the faster the communicator speaks, the more competent he or she can appear. Speakers with a high and varied tone appear more competent; a consistent low voice is associated with strength and maturity, while a consistent high voice signals tension and nervousness. Loud speakers are generally perceived as aggressive and domineering, and soft-spoken speakers are perceived as shy and polite. How individuals view nonverbal communication often depends on how they view themselves. If a person takes everything personally, they may be offended bycertain nonverbal cues used, whether intentional or not. To avoid communication problems, it is essential that speakers become more aware of the nonverbal cues used (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). In the workplace, effective communication can be used to improve performance and produce desired results. There are many nonverbal cues used in the workplace every day, many of which are stronger than spoken language. Professionally speaking, a handshake can make a strong first impression, whether positive or negative. Men tend to have better handshake skills and etiquette than women; handshakes should be inviting, strong but not overwhelming. Workplace contact is often discouraged due to sending mixed messages, but handshakes are generally accepted and encouraged in most cases. Eye contact is another important nonverbal cue that can be used both positively and negatively in the workplace. In the United States, eye contact expresses honesty and sincerity; making eye contact is often an invitation for open communication and signifies the need for feedback. On the other hand, avoiding eye contact signals distrust, suspicion or a lack of interest; similarly, prolonged eye contact or staring signifies aggression or flirting (Henman, 2009). In the workplace, dressing professionally is something most employers require, it shows self-confidence. Dressing professionally includes the clothing worn, personal hygiene, and avoiding overly strong cologne and perfume. American businesses value being on time and being conscientious about it is crucial in business. Paying attention to all of these types of nonverbal communication can be effective in almost any business. Nonverbal communication has the ability to strengthen and develop existing relationships or destroy them. A relationship can be regulated by nonverbal communication because it can support or replace verbal communication. Some of the contributing factors are sending and receiving ability and accuracy, perception of appropriate social roles, and cognitive desire for interpersonal involvement. If communicators are unaware of the types of messages they are sending and how the recipient interprets the messages, difficulties may arise due to nonverbal communication. If the recipient's perception does not match the social norms appropriate for a particular situation, this could also cause problems. Everyone involved must want the interaction to occur for reciprocal communication to be successful. Facial expressions can force one person to communicate with another. Facial expressions can cause negative feelings if they evoke others. Introduction and management rely on nonverbal communication in interpersonal relationships. Through research, interpersonal relationships are successful through nonverbal cues (Dunn, 1999). Nonverbal communication impacts gender and cultural differences. There are different views on the society of men and women. Men are portrayed as aggressive, controlling and having a take-charge attitude. Women are seen as sensitive, emotional and passive. There is a difference in the way men and women communicate verbally and non-verbally. Women are more expressive when they use nonverbal communication, they havetend to smile more than men and use their hands more. Men are less likely to make eye contact than women. Men also seem more relaxed, while women seem more tense. Men are more comfortable being around women, but women are more comfortable being around other women. In terms of interpreting nonverbal cues, women are better than men (Coggins, 2006). Culturally, there is a world of difference in nonverbal communication. Comparing the United States with Latin America, we can see many differences. The hand gesture we use to tell someone to come here, palm up with the index finger extended three or four times, is different in Latin America. In Latin America, this hand gesture means that you are romantically interested in a person and it is considered solicitation. To tell someone to come here to Latin America, the palm is extended downward and the four fingers move in and out together three or four times. When traveling by bus in Latin America, elders hold their hand at the side with all four fingers extended to indicate that there is a pickpocket nearby. In the United States, when visitors come to our country, we generally do not greet them personally. Latin Americans give hugs and men greet women with “besitos,” meaning touching the cheeks and making a kissing sound with the lips (Language Institute, 2011). Some barriers to nonverbal communication include cultural differences, deceptive gestures, inappropriate touching, negative behaviors. non-verbal communication and perceptual filters. The different cultural differences are ethnocentrism, stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination as well as hand gestures, touch and facial expression. Ethnocentrism shows that one culture fulfills its group and is superior to all other cultures. Stereotypes show the distorted or simplistic views of different races and cultures. When one culture is prejudiced against another culture or group, a negative attitude arises based on little or no experience. Avoiding or excluding oneself from another culture or group is discriminated against (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). Different gestures often have very different meanings to people from different cultures. Non-verbal gestures can lead to misinterpretation. Touching can cause many communication problems if done incorrectly. A person can touch the other person a lot during a conversation and become closer to them. Some people view touch as an invasion of their personal space. It is an obstacle to all communication; people have difficulty communicating when they are uncomfortable. When a person displays negative nonverbal communication, this can also be a barrier. For example, slouching, rolling your eyes, moving quickly or slowly, or engaging in various other negative physical behaviors make it difficult to communicate with them. This is because the person creates a negative situation and when people feel uncomfortable, they don't want to communicate. The facial expression may show frustration, anger, embarrassment or uncertainty. They can contradict the verbal expression by sending the true message the speaker wants to send (Hybels & Weaver, 2007). It is very important to learn how to improve nonverbal communication now that we have discovered that the nonverbal communication of one communicator can influence the perception of another. of a.