„‚ CONDITIONS THAT HINDER EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Oculesics
Eye-to-eye contact or avoidance is another nonverbal dimension. Americans are
dependent on eye contact as a sign of listening. We do not feel that there is human
contact without eye contact. But many countries follow elaborate patterns of eye
avoidance that we regard as inappropriate.
Haptics
The tactile form of communication is a fifth dimension. Where, how, and how often
people can touch each other while conversing are culturally defined patterns. We need
not go beyond the borders of our own country to see groups (Italians and blacks, for
example) that touch each other more often than Anglo-Americans do. Overseas,
Americans often feel crowded and pushed around by people who have a much higher
tolerance for public physical contact and even need it as part of their communication
process. An American may feel embarrassed when a hostnational friend continues to
hold his or her hand long after the formal greetings are over.
These five dimensions are by no means exhaustive. The list is literally infinite and
may include things such as dress, posture, smell, colors, time, and many others.
PREPARATION FOR DIFFERENCES
There are ways of helping people to prepare for crosscultural differences; and there are
some significant, additional benefits that trainees can gain through an appropriate
training technique.
The critical need for nonverbal communication skills is unquestioned, but trainers
differ as to whether and how these skills can be taught. While some trainers recognize
that proficiency in nonverbal communication would help to reduce unnecessary strain
between Americans and host nationals, others dismiss its importance, feeling that
trainees will simply “pick it up” or that it can be dealt with as a list of “dos and don’ts.”
Occasionally, a language teacher recognizes its possibilities, but generally nonverbal
communication has been dealt with in a very haphazard way. The fact that nonverbal
interaction is a part of every encounter between an American and a host national should
be enough to signify its importance.
TRAINING TECHNIQUES
The goal of making trainees aware of and sensitive to nonverbal communication
differences has been achieved by having them simulate a communication situation. This
results in emotional responses similar to those that would occur in particular
intercultural situations. Trainees are then encouraged to practice these new simulated
behaviors until they become a natural and comfortable part of their repertoire of
communication skills.
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The Pfeiffer Library Volume 6, 2nd Edition. Copyright © 1998 Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer