Non-Verbal Communication Speech – Interpersonal Communications Tracy Toner10/21/09

Coughing – How do people react to the sound of a cough? My test subjects were coming to my office for a meeting and upon approach, but before they could see me, they could hear my coughing. I did this with couples, males and females alone and those that English was not their first language.

My Findings Mentioned refers to a simple comment about the cough and hoping I felt better soon. No reaction refers to absolutely no mention or reactions. Non Verbal Reaction refers to those that kept their distance, stayed outside the door, and those that suggested rescheduling the meeting, all with a look of fear in their eyes. I did not cough again or reveal that I was looking for their reactions.

My Conclusions As you saw the reactions varied. I was surprised by the obvious difference of the males reactions as compared to the couples and females both English speaking and those that English was not their first language. As soon as their reaction was obvious I said that I had just taken a drink of water and it had gone down wrong. I didn’t let them leave thinking I was sick and would risk their health as that might risk my job at some point. I think in relation to the current H1N1 and influenza scares this was a telling test and revealed on a very small level who is aware and how is not aware and concerned for their own health.