Week 7: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication


European and American verbal and nonverbal communication are quite different. In class, when we are having discussions, I notice that when an American student is called on, we will respond very loudly compared to the German students. I also notice, at the school coffee shop, the man working behind the counter will be very soft-spoken when talking to a customer. I almost want to shout, "CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE LOUDER?!", even though I can hear him perfectly fine from a few feet away. I realize the reason I want him to talk louder is simple: I am nosey. I am also use to a loud coffeehouse setting. When you go to Starbucks in the states, you typically walk into a setting of glasses clinking together, music blaring from the speakers, and names being shouted so people can pick up their orders.

With nonverbal, I notice that we also are very different. When the teacher is speaking and looking around the room, she typically makes eye contact with everyone. When she makes eye contact with the American students, I notice we all smile or nod in agreement to signal that we are listening to everything she is saying and show her definite feedback. When she looks at the German students, I notice they just look back at her expressionless. There is no smiling or nodding, just a serious stare. It seems kind of intimidating. I often wonder if they are silently judging her or if they are even listening at all.

In chapter 7, it talks about "Direct and Indirect Styles". With direct styles, a person has a response that is to the point and you get all the information you need right away. With indirect styles, it will take someone five minutes or more to give you a straight answer. As Americans, we like everything done NOW and to get things done fast. Europeans are much more relaxed; they take their time. When I was talking to fellow Americans, we all agree that is one thing that gets on our nerves the most. In class, we could ask the Germans a simple question about something we are curious about. It will sometimes take them five minutes to give us an answer that could have been answered in thirty seconds. We as Americans will answer with a yes or no and if they want more detail, give them the simplest answer.

It is interesting to see how our American verbal and nonverbal style of communication is different from the European style. I am getting quite excited to go back home to people with similar verbal and nonverbal communication as me!

Here, I am expressing a nonverbal :)

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