- Identify and interpret TWO methods of non-verbal communication pertinent to your select country.
Communication is defined as messages or interactions between two or more people, and these messages can be strongly expressed non-verbally. Especially in Cambodia, non-verbal communication cues are incredibly important, as they enable people to understand what one another thinks about them and thus impacts the response. It is through non-verbal communication that the majority of messages within society are transferred, and thus are important to be aware of when visiting Cambodia.
Respect is one of the most important cultural values within Cambodia, and it is through initiating respect that successful communication will occur, especially pertinent when using non-verbal cues in Cambodia, which are common and must be realized in order to gain the most from conversations or interactions with Khmer people. Non-verbal cues are incredibly important in a high-context society such as Cambodia and foreigners must be aware of the importance of non-verbal cues in communicating with Khmer people effectively.
In order to portray respect within society or to those you are communicating with, style of dress is crucial, as it is a non-verbal cue that enables the opposing communicator to understand how you perceive them. For example, dressing in casual clothing such as jeans and a t shirt in front of a monk or elder gives cues that you are not dedicated to the discussion, nor do you respect them, and therefore the conversation will be strained and halted, and you will not reap any benefits from it. Furthermore, dressing in formal attire in front of elders or monks enables them to have effective communication with you as both understand where the other is standing, as appropriate respect is shown and thus knowledge, information or news can be successfully transferred. Remember that clothing is important as Khmer people will judge instinctively based on attire, and in Cambodia, it is rare for first impressions to be altered. Therefore do not allow for people to see you in pyjamas or short skirts or shorts, as this will heavily affect the communication that is able to occur as there will be a block in the information able to be parted. Dress is a sign of respect, and is especially important as a guest in a Cambodian household or business. Attire immediately imparts knowledge of your respect and how you hold another person, thus is an important non-verbal cue as it enables you to tell someone how you feel and respond to them by not saying anything.
As the reason for communication is to impart information or develop a relationship between people, it is important to understand that a way of portraying likeness towards Khmer people is by accepting any drinks or food that is given, as this portrays appreciation and thus leads towards a positive relationship. When entering a household, accepting a gift from an elder must be received with two hands, portraying the respect and gratitude you are imparting to the gift and elder. Also as a guest, removing footwear enables the house owner to understand the high esteem in which you hold them in, thus respect for you will be gained, enabling effective and easy communication to begin and a positive first impression to be created. To be respectful in these ways is to allow for you to tell Khmer people that you are appreciative, which is highly valued in Cambodian culture.
Material possessions are highly valued in Cambodian culture, and men will often wear pieces of jewellery or signs of wealth in order to portray their strength and demeanour. Wearing this attire gives non-verbal cues of status within society, an important distinction to be made in Cambodia, and impacts the way in which people behave and interact with one another, whether it is by not touching someone who is considered 'dirty' or respecting an elder, monk or wealthy person depending on the material possessions they are wearing.
Across the world, dance is a non-verbal form of expressing messages and communicating, and is an important non-verbal aspect of communication in Cambodia. Cambodian dance is divided into three categories.
The first category is classical dance, used in royal courts for the purpose of entertainment or for ceremonial purposes such as honouring ancestors or spiritual entities. Classical dance can also be performed for tourists visiting Cambodia, to portray thanks, excitement and welcome to tourists to welcome them to their country of Cambodia. Classical dance companies in Cambodia include the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, though it is not like the Western ballet constructed in Russia and France; this ballet consists of a repertoire based on poems and using choral singers, gong chimes and xylophones. Their dances are intended to entrance the viewer, and radical costumes are commonly used.
Folk dance was established during the 20th century and are fast paced movements put to music in order to portray the vast variety of ethnic groups and cultures in Cambodia. Themes of dances include love stories, and dances are performed during festivals or community gatherings, making this style of dance carefree and available to the public for viewing. Accompanied music is generally by a mahori orchestra.
Social dances are for all Khmer people and tourists to engage with, performed at parties and banquets and there are a set of common dances such as 'Romvong', 'Romkbach' and 'Lam Leav'.
Unfortunately during the Pol Pot Regime much of Cambodian dance was destroyed, and it has been difficult to regain this cultural value into the Khmer people's lives once more. Fortunately some survivors remember cultural dances and are spreading them to current generations so that this non-verbal communication can continue to grow and remain an integral part of Cambodian society.
Communication is defined as messages or interactions between two or more people, and these messages can be strongly expressed non-verbally. Especially in Cambodia, non-verbal communication cues are incredibly important, as they enable people to understand what one another thinks about them and thus impacts the response. It is through non-verbal communication that the majority of messages within society are transferred, and thus are important to be aware of when visiting Cambodia.
Respect is one of the most important cultural values within Cambodia, and it is through initiating respect that successful communication will occur, especially pertinent when using non-verbal cues in Cambodia, which are common and must be realized in order to gain the most from conversations or interactions with Khmer people. Non-verbal cues are incredibly important in a high-context society such as Cambodia and foreigners must be aware of the importance of non-verbal cues in communicating with Khmer people effectively.
In order to portray respect within society or to those you are communicating with, style of dress is crucial, as it is a non-verbal cue that enables the opposing communicator to understand how you perceive them. For example, dressing in casual clothing such as jeans and a t shirt in front of a monk or elder gives cues that you are not dedicated to the discussion, nor do you respect them, and therefore the conversation will be strained and halted, and you will not reap any benefits from it. Furthermore, dressing in formal attire in front of elders or monks enables them to have effective communication with you as both understand where the other is standing, as appropriate respect is shown and thus knowledge, information or news can be successfully transferred. Remember that clothing is important as Khmer people will judge instinctively based on attire, and in Cambodia, it is rare for first impressions to be altered. Therefore do not allow for people to see you in pyjamas or short skirts or shorts, as this will heavily affect the communication that is able to occur as there will be a block in the information able to be parted. Dress is a sign of respect, and is especially important as a guest in a Cambodian household or business. Attire immediately imparts knowledge of your respect and how you hold another person, thus is an important non-verbal cue as it enables you to tell someone how you feel and respond to them by not saying anything.
As the reason for communication is to impart information or develop a relationship between people, it is important to understand that a way of portraying likeness towards Khmer people is by accepting any drinks or food that is given, as this portrays appreciation and thus leads towards a positive relationship. When entering a household, accepting a gift from an elder must be received with two hands, portraying the respect and gratitude you are imparting to the gift and elder. Also as a guest, removing footwear enables the house owner to understand the high esteem in which you hold them in, thus respect for you will be gained, enabling effective and easy communication to begin and a positive first impression to be created. To be respectful in these ways is to allow for you to tell Khmer people that you are appreciative, which is highly valued in Cambodian culture.
Material possessions are highly valued in Cambodian culture, and men will often wear pieces of jewellery or signs of wealth in order to portray their strength and demeanour. Wearing this attire gives non-verbal cues of status within society, an important distinction to be made in Cambodia, and impacts the way in which people behave and interact with one another, whether it is by not touching someone who is considered 'dirty' or respecting an elder, monk or wealthy person depending on the material possessions they are wearing.
Across the world, dance is a non-verbal form of expressing messages and communicating, and is an important non-verbal aspect of communication in Cambodia. Cambodian dance is divided into three categories.
The first category is classical dance, used in royal courts for the purpose of entertainment or for ceremonial purposes such as honouring ancestors or spiritual entities. Classical dance can also be performed for tourists visiting Cambodia, to portray thanks, excitement and welcome to tourists to welcome them to their country of Cambodia. Classical dance companies in Cambodia include the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, though it is not like the Western ballet constructed in Russia and France; this ballet consists of a repertoire based on poems and using choral singers, gong chimes and xylophones. Their dances are intended to entrance the viewer, and radical costumes are commonly used.
Folk dance was established during the 20th century and are fast paced movements put to music in order to portray the vast variety of ethnic groups and cultures in Cambodia. Themes of dances include love stories, and dances are performed during festivals or community gatherings, making this style of dance carefree and available to the public for viewing. Accompanied music is generally by a mahori orchestra.
Social dances are for all Khmer people and tourists to engage with, performed at parties and banquets and there are a set of common dances such as 'Romvong', 'Romkbach' and 'Lam Leav'.
Unfortunately during the Pol Pot Regime much of Cambodian dance was destroyed, and it has been difficult to regain this cultural value into the Khmer people's lives once more. Fortunately some survivors remember cultural dances and are spreading them to current generations so that this non-verbal communication can continue to grow and remain an integral part of Cambodian society.