Assumptions in Communication

I watched the sitcom Rules of Engagement.  This show is about the different perspectives of a single guy, a married couple, and a recently engaged couple.  With the sound turned off I could tell that one of the couples was married and one was in the beginning stages of a relationship.  I did not know that they had just gotten engaged.  I could also sense sarcasm and other emotions with the married couple, perhaps because I was married for 21 years and remember those same actions, gestures, and facial expressions.  The single guy seemed to enjoy his life and even with the sound turned on, that one was dead on.  I was also intrigued by the older couple at the end of the show.  I assumed that the newly engaged couple asked them about their long life together and with the sound turned on, it was on that order, but not exactly.  What I did not expect was what happened when the engaged couple walked away and the older couple argued. 

From this experience, I learned that just as our text book says that verbal and nonverbal communication goes hand in hand, it truly does.  We need to be able to hear what someone is saying, not just look at the nonverbal cues.  While the wife said one thing, she also rolled her eyes a few times; without hearing the words I would not know that her nonverbal cues did not match her words.  I also think this experience is a good chance to take a closer look at the nonverbal cues we do send.  It made me think about the importance of not only listening to another person, but also of being aware of the nonverbal cues they are sending.  I need to be aware of both to get the full picture.