Discussion Questions

  1. Talk about a time when you were falsely associated with a social group because of your nonverbal communication.
  2. Are there any nonverbal markers that you believe are universally (i.e. across cultural communication) understood?
  3. When communicating with friends, how close (in proximity) is too close, just right, or too far? How about with acquaintances? Business associates? Strangers? (How) Do you tell people when they are too close or too far?
  4. What possessions (artifacts) are considered “status symbols” on campus?
  5. Have you ever had a conversation with a friend, family member, colleague, or peer when your nonverbal communication contradicted what you were saying or feeling? How did it affect your relationship or future communication with the person?