This makes me think of all the times I've been misinterpreted, and how nonverbal communication affects verbal communication too. For example, early, early freshman year I remember seeing someone in the Johnson Center who lived on my floor, and as I'd do every time I saw someone I knew, I'd say a little "hey!" I was just passing through, a sandwich lunch in my hand, when I saw my former floormate standing, perhaps leaning, against a column, not really doing much other than what looked like good ol' people-watching, in the direction I was heading. As I approached closer, I had the impression that we had made eye-contact, so I lifted up an arm and waved.
The very next day I saw him as we were passing through the floor where we lived and, as usual, I went to say "hey" but, (I mean, I said "hey" the other day), so I told him: "Hey! I saw you the other day, I don't know if you saw me, I waved my sandwich at you!" (To clarify, my hands were full and it was the one carrying the sandwich that went up for the wave). Perhaps I should have clarified this to him when I saw his face contort into the most confused look I've ever gotten. And I'm sure I mirrored his expression because what I said didn't sound weird to me... if he'd seen me. His reply: "Well... I'm sure it was a very good sandwich?" And my reply: "What?"
Another example: I had gone to talk to my advisor to get his guidance on the classes I'd signed up for, for the year, and was admittedly nervous, but thought I was keeping it together when talking to him. However (of course) the nonverbals were there without my notice. For some reason (well, the reason is that I was nervous...) I was rubbing my arms as if I were cold. My advisor noticed and (well, he misinterpreted the nonverbal and thought I was, indeed, cold) asked the secretary to turn off the fan.
It's interesting to me how much we say without saying anything at all, and I feel empowered to be aware of the arsenal of nonverbals we hold, but also a little overwhelmed because I tried being ultra-conscious today and think I gave myself a migraine (from repeatedly adjusting my posture and controlling my face and rolling my eyes at myself when I caught myself slipping, crossing my arms across my chest, etc).
Excellent!!!
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