A concept that I found very interesting in Chapter 6 was regulation. This concept was interesting to me because it is something that I often use at work and didn’t realize that there was a clear defined term for it. At work this has become very useful because there is a person who works on our team who is very odd. This person comes to us and tries to hold very long, boring, unnecessary, uncomfortable conversations. Considering that we have a lot of work to do, it is difficult to sit there and listen to him, but at the same time it is rude to tell him to be quiet since he is somehow considered to be a superior. Luckily, we have found ways around this issue. Non-verbal cues are not always too helpful with this person because he seems to not get it, but there is one that works very well. My job consists of listening with ear phone on so once he begins and we can not get him to stop, we tend to smile nicely like if it was funny or interesting and proceed to put our earphones on. This usually woks and he goes away.
Some people, for a reason unbeknownst to me, do not understand nonverbal signals. This particular person does not get it when we avoid contact, interrupt, avoid responses, and put our headphones on. It makes it seem as if though these cues are not universal and understood by all cultures, all people or etc.
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Hi Mia!
ReplyDeleteYour post was enjoyable and quite funny to read – like when you were describing the “odd” guy at your work. I think we have all experienced an annoying co-worker, who is always talking to everyone and won’t shut up. I certainly have; I had one co-worker who would always try to carry on a conversation with me even when I was in the middle of helping a customer. I think putting on your headset is a pretty strong statement for him, as it did work, but unfortunately I did not get to wear any type of headset at this job. It is funny how sometimes we assume a particular nonverbal gesture has a universal meaning and then we meet someone who doesn’t get it; makes us realize just how many different cultures and nonverbal differences there are. Good post!:)
Mia,
ReplyDeleteThis post was very interesting to read. I think that many people encounter experiences like this in their lives and are not sure how to address the situation without being rude. You have seemed to found a way that works for you and the others at your work. I do agree that within many cultures that nonverbal cues are interpreted differently and people do not always understand or get the ides that you want to be left alone. I think that it goes back to the idea in the book of understanding the relationship, context, and environment that is presented. And we have to understand that different cultures will perceive nonverbal cues and communication differently.