Analysis of Non-Verbal Communication in Crazy Rich Asians: Management

This report analyzes a scene from the movie "Crazy Rich Asians," focusing on the nonverbal communication between Rachel Chu and Eleanor Young. The analysis covers six types of nonverbal cues, including eye gaze, gestures, paralinguistics, haptic, posture, and facial expressions, and interprets the messages conveyed by each. The Johari Window model is then employed to illustrate the relationship between self-awareness and how individuals reveal themselves to others, specifically in the context of Rachel's interactions with Eleanor. Furthermore, the report explores how cultural differences, particularly between Rachel's Chinese-American background and Nick's Singaporean family, influence nonverbal communication, covering aspects like eye contact, touch, gestures, facial expressions, paralanguage, and appearance. The report highlights how cultural norms impact the interpretation of nonverbal cues and emphasizes the importance of understanding these differences for effective cross-cultural communication.

Running Head: MANAGEMENT 0
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Non-verbal communication
In the scene, Rachel Chu meets her Boyfriend Nick Young's mother Eleanor Young for
the first in Singapore. There were two types of conversation that happened in the scene first type
was verbal and the second type was nonverbal conversation. A few non-verbal types of
communications are Eye gaze, gestures, paralinguistic, haptic, posture, and facial expression
(Knapp, Hall, & Horgan, 2014).
Eye gaze
In non-verbal communication, eyes play an important role. Eyes can express individual
feelings by blinking and staring. The rate of blinking eyes increases when people are glad to see
someone. And strong eye gaze or stare expresses that they are not much delighted to see you. In
the movie scene, Nick's eye gaze is constantly shifting from his mother to his girlfriend which
states he is happy and nervous at the same time. He is happy to introduce his girlfriend to his
mother, he is nervous about his mother's reaction. On the other side, Eleanor's eyes are fixed on
Rachel, Eleanor is not much happy meeting Rachel and is overseeing kitchen staff.
Gestures
Gestures are the movements of head, hands, legs, and arms. For example, a hand wave is
a nonverbal sign of hello or good-bye. In the movie scene, when Rachel hugs Eleanor her body is
stiff and her arms didn’t move that expresses she is not much interested in hug nor she is happy
meeting her son’s girlfriend. Nick is holding Rachel’s hand that shows he supports his girlfriend,
who is meeting Eleanor for the first time.
Paralinguistic
Paralinguistic defines the tone, loudness, pitch, and inflection in the voice. Voice in the
sentence contains a hidden meaning. A downcast and somber tone indicates something is not
fine. In the given scene Eleanor's voice is a little hesitant and bold at the same time when she
talks to Rachel that reveals her disapproval and lack of interest in Rachel.

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Haptic
Different types of touch demonstrate different messages hidden in it. Touch can convey
messages like sympathy, familiarity, affection, and other emotions as well. As soon as Rachel
saw Eleanor she hugged her and that touch expressed her affection towards Eleanor.
Posture
Body language and posture convey information. Crossing legs while sitting is considered
as a defensive posture (Segal, Smith, & Jaffe, 2012). In the middle of the conversation, Eleanor
walks away to check on the kitchen staff. This body language or posture is defensive and shows
that Eleanor is not excited to meet her son’s girlfriend.
Facial expression
Look on people face establishes a nonverbal communication. A smile on a face shows
happiness and interest in the matter (Mehmbmn, 2017). However, in the whole scene, Eleanor
didn't smile and kept a straight face while talking to Rachel that shows her cold behavior towards
Rachel.
The Johari window
Open/ self-area or arena
This is the area where a person's behavior, feelings, emotions, and skills will get known
to others. This area also includes "feedback solicitation”. This process helps in understanding the
intentions of another person (Osmanoğlu, 2019). This area also reveals the true feelings of
another person. Rachel Chu meets Eleanor for the first time with positive feelings, but on the
other side, Eleanor kept the interaction cold and straight. Only if Rachel had an idea of what kind
of feelings Eleanor had beforehand, she would have been more careful about her behavior and
emotions.
Blind self or blind spot
Blindspot states that others may interpret you differently than you expect. There will be
some information about you that others will know but you will be unaware of it in the group
( Rasheed & Parveen, 2011). Rachel was completely unaware of Eleanor's feelings. Awareness
of one's behavior or personality can help in establishing a comfortable relationship.

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Hidden area or façade
Sometimes we keep our feelings hidden or unknown from others because that may affect
the relationship. Personal information that you keep as a secret from others is a hidden area. This
includes past experiences, feelings, and fears (Oliver & Duncan, 2019). Rachel is a confident
woman but is nervous meeting Eleanor for the first time. Rachel tried to hide her feeling from
Eleanor to avoid awkwardness in the first meet.
Unknown area
Information that is unknown to others and yourself as well is an unknown area. This may
include feelings, talents, and information (Konings & Mann, 2017). Rachel Chu was unaware of
what kind of a person Eleanor will be and the same was for Eleanor. In future Rachel have to
keep herself aware of better recognition.
Culture could influence the non-verbal conversation
Rachel Chu is Chinese-American. She was born in China and was raised in New York.
Her mother was single and independent. Rachel herself is a self-made passionate woman. She is
a broad-minded girl and believes in freedom of speech. Whereas, Nick's family lives in
Singapore and believes is not so open-minded. Non-verbal communication is different in every
country. Non-verbal communication differs from culture to culture. That may include Eye
contact, touch, gestures, facial expression, paralanguage, and appearance.
Eye contact
In western culture eye contact is considered a good gesture. It expresses honesty and
confidence. But in Asian or Middle East culture eye contact with seniors or elders is not
considered as a good expression ( Hwang & Matsumoto, 2019). For example, in western culture,
a girl can maintain eye contact with her would-be mother-in-law but Asian, Native American or
Middle Eastern families may take eye contact rude and disrespectful.
Touch
In America, a handshake or hug is a sweet gesture when meeting for the first time. But in
some Asian countries, it is uncomfortable and people might take the touch as rude behavior.
Asian people are a little conservative in comparison to Americans (Greenfield & Cocking, 2014).

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For example, Asian daughter in law cannot hug her mother in law often. In America, it is
considered as a sweet gesture to hug mother in law.
Gestures
The hand, arm, and head movements are different in every country and culture. For
example in America looking at the wristwatch in the middle of the conversation is normal. In
Asian culture looking at the watch in the middle of the conversation is rude.
Facial expression
A facial expression like smiling is considered differently in every country and culture. In
America smiling in return to senior or elder is sweet. But in Asian culture smiling in return to
senior or elder is considered disrespectful (Matsumoto, Frank, & Hwang, 2013). Asian countries
like Japan and china smiling continually is considered rude expression.
Paralanguage
Generally in America increasing the pitch or volume of voice is for getting attention. In
Asian culture increasing the pitch and volume is directly taken as a strong expression or way of
expressing anger (Е.Ю, 2019). Asians keep their pitch and voice low as compared to Americans.
Appearance
Every culture has its perception of people’s appearance. Asians keep culture as their
priority (Gut & Wilczewski, 2017). For example, in America, a girl can wear a short dress and
meet her would-be mother in law but in Asian countries, a girl would be judged if she wears a
short dress on the first meet with her would-be mother in law.

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References
Hwang, H., & Matsumoto, D. (2019). The cultural bases of nonverbal communication. In APA
handbook of nonverbal communication. American Psychological Association., 77-101.
Rasheed, & Parveen, S. (2011). Introduction: Self-awareness. International Journal of Caring
Sciences, 211-216.
Greenfield, P. M., & Cocking, R. R. (2014). Cross-Cultural Roots of Minority Child
Development. New York: Psychology Press.
Gut, A., & Wilczewski, M. (2017). Cultural Differences, Stereotypes and Communication Needs
in Intercultural Communication in a Global Multicultural Environment. Journal of
Intercultural Communication, 1-20.
Knapp, M. L., Hall, J. A., & Horgan, T. G. (2014). Nonverbal Communication in Human
Interaction. USA: Cengage Learning.
Konings, K., & Mann, k. V. (2017). Uncovering the unknown: A grounded theory study
exploring the impact of self-awareness on the culture of feedback in residency education.
Medical teacher, 1065-1073.
Matsumoto, D., Frank, M. G., & Hwang, H. S. (2013). Nonverbal Communication: Science and
Applications. London: SAGE Publications.
Mehmbmn, A. (2017). NONNERBAL COMMUNICATION. USA: Routledge.
Oliver, S., & Duncan, S. (2019). Looking through the Johari window. Research for Al, 1-6.
Osmanoğlu, D. E. (2019). Expansion of the Open Area (Johari Window) and Group Work
Directed to Enhancing the Level of Subjective Well-being. Journal of Education and
Training Studies, 76-85.
Segal, J., Smith, M., & Jaffe, J. (2012). Nonverbal Communication.
Е.Ю, Р. (2019). Non-verbal communication in diff erent cultures. 2-6.

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