Nonverbal Communication

Even When You’re Saying Nothing, You’re Saying Something

Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash

Depending on the context, silence communicates different things.

If a customer comes in and you do not greet or offer help, this sends a message to the customer that you’re unfriendly or rude.

If after an argument, you do not say anything, this communicates to the other person that you’re upset.

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If after someone does you a favor, but you do not say anything, this communicates to the other person that you’re ungrateful and rude.

If you just received bad news, silence communicates a moment of sadness.

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If you keep to yourself and don’t mingle with your peers, this communicates to others that you’re timid or shy.

The list of scenarios can go on.

Maybe you don’t mean to communicate that you’re unfriendly, rude, or ungrateful?