Ataallh Alatoai

Three years ago, I traveled to Malaysia; it was a nice place, and Malaysia people are very respectable. However, I ran up against a problem. It was a bout some types of nonverbal communication. For example, I went to a store to buy some gifts for my family. I saw a man who waved his hand from right to left. In my country that gesture means "good bye". My reaction was like him; I waved mine to the right and left. Unfortunately, in Malaysia that gesture has different meaning. It means "come here". When I knew its meaning, I was really embarrassed. In fact, after that experience, I believe that knowing common nonverbal signals in a country which you will visit is important, so I became careful about learning common nonverbal communication.

Weblog Ass't # 3, Abdullah Alotaibi.

When I was in Chicago, my brother and I always walked downtown at noon. On day, I walked alone because my brother had a class at that time. I went to many places and I enjoyed seeing high buildings and the lake. I always wanted to practice English, but I did not, except with people who worked in stores. However, I saw someone standing alone outside a store. I went to him to talk and I said, "the weather is nice", but he did not answer. He nooded his head and I understood that he agreed with me. I also said,"Chicago is beautiful, isn't is? He also nooded his head. After that he signed OK by his finger. I talked to him about what places I saw and visited. Every once in a while, he smiled at me and liked what I said. I heard somethings. He said, "mm mm mm", but I did not understand anything. Furthermore, I felt that he was happy when he was standing next to me. After a while, I became bored because he did not say anything. I said to him, " I want to go to my home." He said "mm mm mm" and smiled at the same time. In that time, he started to talk with me by using his hands because I knew he was mute and could not speak. I understood from his gestures that he wanted to keep talking. Indeed, I felt sad about him; however, I learned different things from him. In the end, when I was walking to my brother's home, he was raising his hand to express "good bye".

Difficult Situation

Two years ago, I traveled to India to visit my uncle. I had a very interesting time. Indian people were very friendly and helpful. My uncle was living in a small and quiet village. One night, I went to the market to buy candy. When I reached the market, I met a very old woman. She seemed very poor. I smiled at her and waved. Suddenly, she started screaming and said: "thief! thief!" A lot of people came and started to shout at me. I was shocked and could not speak. Finally, my uncle came and helped me. My uncle told me that women in this village do not accept smiles from strangers. I learned that non-verbal communication is very important.

If There Is No Non-Verbal Communication

When I read about non-verbal communication in Academic Encounters, which is used in EAP 1 core class, there are many ways of non-verbal communication. I imagined that if people do not use non-verbal communication in conversation, what will happen to them? It will be hard to express their emotion and will be very awkward. Here are interesting instances. If I am just standing or sitting like a robot or a skeleton in a science lab during conversation, how does my friend feel? It looks like a "conversation machine." Or if someone tries to propose to his or her partner without non-verbal communication, how does the partner show reflex? Does it work well? I do not think so. I think that non-verbal communication is an important part in conversation like an ingredient in a meal. Delicious food needs a good source, and awful food has a bad source. I want to ask to my classmates, "was it an interesting subect in core class?" In addition, not very important, we can make a game that only uses a non-verbal communication with time limitation. The person who is smiling or laughing first is the loser. It will be very fun.
Sungu Kim