BCOM/275
Denise Rodriguez

There are seven types of nonverbal variations on demonstrative communication: chronemics is how people view the value of time. The importance of time seems to be everywhere, people rushing to be somewhere or needing to cut a conversation or meeting short. This can send a message that can be positive; they have an urgent matter to attend or a negative message; they prefer to be somewhere else. Whereas, others can be laid back and have no rush for time [ (Cheesebro, O'Connor, Rios, 2010) ]. Proxemics is the distance standing when taking with others. Intimate messages are about 18 inches; personal messages are from 18 inches to four feet; social messages are from four to 12 feet; public messages are beyond 12 feet. If a person is to share confidential information they are most likely to share that information in the intimate zone rather than the social zone. Also if someone is standing too close they may feel uncomfortable and get defensive at the same token someone standing close to you could be sending an intimate message. Some people get territorial and get attached to a fix space, such as a work area or at home a favorite chair. By putting personal belongings on the fixed space such as a coat, pictures or purse the person is sending a message that it is theirs [ (Cheesebro, O'Connor, Rios, 2010) ]. There are variations of eye contact called oculesics, most Americans make eye contact but look away from time to time called the "soft" eye contact. In other cultures have very little eye contact such as China or Japan, while other cultures gaze. Combining short distance and intense stare make most Americans uncomfortable and nervous, but for Middle Easterners the " eyes are the windows to the soul" for them the combination of short distance and looking into the eyes helps them read the persons true messages [ (Cheesebro, O'Connor, Rios, 2010) ]. Kinesics are the many behaviors of the body: gestures, postures, facial expressions, and hand gestures. Facial expressions can send various messages; smiles can be happy, a smirk that could be devious, a smile to someone you know or to some embarrassing behavior, a mean look shows anger or a frown showing sadness. Hand gestures can show emotion as in some cultures talk with hand movements. Body language can show if someone is interested in the conversation or lack of, tiredness, energetic, and flirtatious [ (Cheesebro, O'Connor, Rios, 2010) ]. Haptics various ways of touching; that can send a range of messages. A hug or a touch on the arm sends a different message than a slap in the face. A boss's hand on the back of an employee could be saying good job or a hand on the shoulder saying "I am here". There are people while talking they like to touch can make people feel uncomfortable. Especially, in the workplace if there is touching the purpose should be clear to both sender and receiver. Even between cultures touching is a norm as in Latin's they usually give a hug for hello, for the French a kiss on both sides of the cheek is hello [ (Cheesebro, O'Connor, Rios, 2010) ]. Vocalics is the study of vocal messages with regard to pitch, quality, volume, and rate. There are various ways to send a message using one or more of these methods, it also sets the tone of the message being sent. Example someone with a high volume, fast rate can say the person is angry, versus soft tone, and slow could be sexy.