Francis
COMM-1100
3-5-10
Mrs. Caffrey Daws
Violating a Nonverbal Rule
More than half of our communication towards others comes from our nonverbal messages
so, for my communication class Dr. Daws told us to violate a nonverbal rule and write a paper
about it. I chose to violate a nonverbal rule that would catch a lot of people off guard. I showed
how a nonverbal rule can be violated by using the elevator in the mall to gradually invade the
personal space of others by my actions, movements, and facial expressions.
My first objective was to invade the space of others through my actions. As the elevator
doors open, I was ushered in by an older couple and their grandchild. I acknowledged their
welcome by a smile and a nod. I then proceeded to take my place among the three fellow
elevator riders. For the purpose of this paper, I decided to see how these people would react if I
brushed my hair. I started brushing vigorously from the top of my head to the bottom of my long
hair. In order to get every strand of hair, I decided to flip my hair over my head, and toss it from
side to side and back again. Through the flipping process, I noticed the defensive manner in
which my once welcoming fellow elevator riders now took. My actions had clearly invaded the
personal space of others. Like sardines, they were backed against the wall of the elevator with
their arms around their grandchild. Their once open stance was now closed and unwelcoming.
All chatter ceased among my fellow elevator riders and I noticed the focus was now on their fast
approaching floor. The elevator doors slowly open and it was obvious that they were opening
way to slow for my now departing fellow elevator riders.
The elevator doors remained opened while I said good bye to the old and hello to the
new. The new fellow elevator riders were not aware that they had now become the victims for
objective number two, or movement lack of. Face to face and toe to toe, I met the first of five
tattooed and pierced rebels. I stood my ground as he looked at me to move towards the back of
the elevator. I stayed positioned, front and center, and held a blank stare. Fellow elevator rebels
two through five, continued to shuffle in around me to meet rebel number one who was taking up
space in the back of the elevator. As they filed in holding onto their pants, the remarks about me
were abundant. The elevator rebels continued pushing and shoving each other which made me
start to focus on the floor that would be their final destination. The doors opened and I braced
myself as I held my position. The five elevator rebels made their exit as they did their entrance.
As they shuffled around me, I knew what it was like to be the sardine. Objective number two
was mastered by invading someones personal space through lack of movement.
Out with the rebels and in with John and Kate Plus Eight. Objective number three, facial
expressions, will be very fun. My new position was in the back of the elevator. I was excited to
see the group of eight children and their parents enter. I quickly zoomed in on two little boys
that were the comedians of the group. Mothers back turned, fathers attention on the little girl, I
looked at the little boys and made fish lips. That set the two boys into hysterics. In return for my
fish lips, they exhibited their art for arm pit farts. I traded their arm pit farts with crossed eyes.
As the little comedians exited, the mother and fathers facial expressions told me that I invaded
their personal space.
My elevator journey has come to an end. I felt relieved, when the doors finally opened
and I stepped out. Through my elevator journey, I showed, how a nonverbal rule can be violated
by invading the personal space of others by my actions, movements and facial expressions.