1. It's Always Occurring: Even when we're not consciously trying to communicate, our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and proximity to others are sending signals.
2. It's Powerful: Nonverbal communication can often be more impactful than verbal communication. For example, a dismissive tone of voice or a lack of eye contact can negate positive verbal messages.
3. It's Ambiguous: Unlike words, nonverbal cues can have multiple interpretations. What might be a friendly gesture in one culture could be offensive in another.
4. It's Culturally Bound: Nonverbal communication is heavily influenced by cultural norms. Gestures, facial expressions, and personal space preferences vary significantly across cultures.
5. It's Often Unconscious: We often communicate nonverbally without even realizing it. This can make it challenging to control our nonverbal signals.
6. It's Context Dependent: The meaning of nonverbal communication can change based on the context. For example, a smile could indicate happiness in one situation but sarcasm in another.
Remember, nonverbal communication is a complex and nuanced aspect of human interaction. Being aware of its characteristics can help us understand and interpret others' messages more effectively.