Non-verbal cues - meaning and definition
Alsobody languagenonverbal cuesnon verbal communicationbody signals
Definition
Non-verbal cues are signals given through body language, facial expression, tone or silence that can show how comfortable a person is.
At a glance
- Signals through body language, facial expression, tone or silence.
- Stiffening, turning away or going very still can show discomfort.
- Cues vary between people and cultures and can be misread.
- Any unclear or negative signal is a reason to pause and ask.
- The absence of resistance is never consent.
In detail
People do not always say out loud that they are uncomfortable. Stiffening, turning away, avoiding eye contact, crying, going very still or suddenly becoming quiet can all indicate that someone does not want to continue.
Non-verbal cues are useful but can be misread, and they vary between people and cultures. The safest approach is to treat any unclear or negative signal as a reason to pause and ask, and never to treat the absence of resistance as consent.
In a sentence
- He noticed her non-verbal cues, so he stopped and asked if she was okay.
- Non-verbal cues matter, but when in doubt, just ask.
Common questions
Can non-verbal cues show consent?
Actions can communicate a clear yes, but body language is easy to misread. Any cue that is unclear or negative is a reason to pause and ask, and silence or lack of resistance should never be taken as agreement.
What non-verbal cues suggest someone is uncomfortable?
Stiffening, turning away, avoiding eye contact, crying, going very still or suddenly becoming quiet can all suggest someone does not want to continue.