Blog Assignment 3

Non-verbal communication is perhaps one of the most important types of communication. It expresses one's inner feelings and deepest emotions. Non-verbal communication consists of all our facial expressions, hand gestures, and other forms of body language. Trying to live a day without using non-verbal communication whilst talking to someone face-to-face would be a challenge. However, non-verbal communication differs from one country to another.

Back in Bahrain, the body language used is somewhat similar to the body language used in the USA. However, they are somewhat peculiar. One of the main differences is the type of body language used between persons of the opposite sex. The physical distance between women and men while having a conversation tends to be greater in Bahrain. In the USA, there is less physical distance between women and men. This is probably due to the different values and traditions.

Moreover, the physical contact between women and men in the USA is different. In the USA, it is acceptable for a man to have body contact with a woman while having a normal conversation. In Bahrain, that would be looked down upon. This is also due to the different values in the two countries. If a man were to keep a small distance between himself and a woman, the woman would feel very uncomfortable.

Lastly, the body language used tends to be different. In Bahrain, people tend to express a lot of their emotions through body language. This involves using their hands to express themselves. I am used to doing that, so I found myself trying to get accustomed to American tradition by not being so explicit about my emotions using my hands.

All in all, body language is essential while trying to express one's true emotions. It makes the people around you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

Blog Assignment 2 - Option 1

First impressions play a big part in an individual’s social life, academic life, and career path. A few factors shape a person’s public image such as clothing, posture, attitude, and body language. All these factors come together to give the public an idea of one’s identity. Different individuals portray different images of themselves, and the first impression they give off is not necessarily their true selves.

The type of image I like to portray when I meet someone varies. For example, the type of image I would like to portray at a job interview is a professional image. However, the type of impression I would like to render to my floor mates is a social, well-rounded, and outgoing image.

The first impression people get of me is not necessarily my true self. At first, I may appear to be quiet although I am actually very talkative. Once I get to know the people around me better and feel more comfortable around them, I start showing them my true self. I find it hard to reveal my true self around strangers or people I just met. Although the image I project is not necessarily my true self, a fraction of it is. I portray a certain kind of image with a few factors that give the people around me an idea of who I truly am.

Generally speaking, first impressions usually hint at a person’s overall personality. A person who comes off as rude is usually not a polite person even after you get to know them better. Individuals should work to create an image that reflects their personality in order to improve their social, academic, and career life.

Blog Entry #1

About Me:
My name is Hadeel Al Dallal. I am from Bahrain, a small island in the Middle East. I am eighteen years old, and my birthdate is March 22, 1991. My first language is Arabic and my second language is English. I have two sisters and a brother, two of which are younger than me. I am currently attending the University of Delaware and I plan to major in Business. My favorite hobby is reading, and my favorite genre is Romance, yet I still read some non-fiction books. Another two of my interests are music and art.

Response to Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue":
Language is an essential component in everyday communication. It gives people the ability to understand others and interact with the people around them. Whilst reading Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue”, I found that I could identify with the writer's thoughts and feelings.
The language individuals use in front of their peers might differ greatly from the language they use in front of their parents or teachers. In front of their peers, the language used tends to be informal, straight forward, and more explicit. Whereas the language used to communicate with elders tends to be formal, complex, and virtuous. This is due to various reasons, one of which is the laid-back atmosphere between them and their peers, and the other of which is the respect entities have for the elder.
I am bilingual, hence I have grown up speaking both Arabic and English. I would usually talk Arabic with my parents, yet I find myself talking a mix of English and Arabic with my brother and sisters. This is because of the different generations and the distinctive environments associated with each generation. While talking to my siblings, I use informal language and might even use impertinent language at times. However, I completely avoid using impertinent language around my parents and teachers. Things that my peers would overlook and perceive as normal might be perceived as rude by grown-ups. Hence, I find myself using two different kinds of languages.
Since my English teachings have all been done at school or through my readings, my English tends to be formal, whereas my Arabic tends to be more casual. My roommate and floor mates have also noticed and commented on the formality of my language. This is because of the my upbringing and the atmosphere I was surrounded by for the past eighteen years.
All in all, language reveals a lot about a person’s personality. It hints at their general moral and ethical values as well as their consideration for those around them.