Nonverbal communication is a major part of our interactions, and the ways that we break or obey taboos tell people a lot about us. Although there are many forms of nonverbal taboos, we can classify at least some of them as based on 'clothing', 'actions', 'expressions', or 'gestures'.
Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves; as well as food and dining (primarily cannibalism and dietary laws such as vegetarianism, kashrut, and halal) or religious (treif and haram).
However, some anthropologists have argued that a few behaviors are universally taboo. These may include incest, cannibalism, and killing one's parents.
Nonverbal Communication Types
Facial expressions. Gestures. Paralinguistics (such as loudness or tone of voice) Body language.
One is kinesics, which refers to body language and gestures. Kinesics is only one part of non-verbal communication—there are also haptics, proxemics, territoriality, environment, vocalics (pitch and volume), chronemics (time), and attraction.
What are some examples of taboo behaviour? Well, you wouldn't walk down a street naked, burp in a stranger's face, or steal a purse from an elderly person. Calling someone a rude name and catcalling a woman in the middle of the day are also considered increasingly unpleasant.
However, what one society considers critical as a taboo may be irrelevant in the next society. There are four major types of taboos namely religious taboos, social taboos, legal taboos and sexual taboos.
Four taboos: sex, religion, politics, pessimism.
Taboo subjects include everything from the use of swearing, discussions on religion, the acceptability of alcohol, to attitudes to things like death and prostitution.
The most common workplace taboos that workers admitted to taking part in include: Falling asleep at work (45 percent) Kissing a co-worker (39 percent) Stealing from the office (22 percent)
Essentially, if a particular behavior violates a taboo social norm, it results in extreme disgust and most often expulsion from society. For example, incest or cannibalism is taboo in most cultures and countries.
What are taboos? Swear words, gay rights, torture, sex, one-parent families, drug abuse, divorce, political freedom, obscene gestures, incest, cannibalism, religious belief, death, alcohol, nudity, suicide, racial abuse, AIDS, terrorism, pregnancy, abortion, polygamy, depression, rape, democracy…
Making conversation
There aren't many taboo subjects in Australia, although if you've just met someone, you might want to avoid topics like race, religion, politics and sex until you know them better. If you're looking for sure and safe conversation starters, try the weather or sports (especially football).
According to Batistella, there are four types of taboo words. They are; epithets, profanity, vulgarity, and obscenity. In addition Jay also states that there nine types of taboo words. They are; obscenity, profanity, vulgarity, epithets, blasphemy, cursing, slang, insult and slur, and scatology.
Important examples of food avoidance are pork among Jews, Muslims and Ethiopian Christians; beef among Hindus, some Buddhists and Jains; chicken and eggs in some African communities; dog meat in the West; fish in Mongolia and other parts of central Asia; milk and milk products in Polynesia and parts of China.
: something that is not acceptable to say, mention, or do : something that is taboo.
Facial expressions
One of the most common forms of nonverbal communication is facial expressions. Using the eyebrows, mouth, eyes and facial muscles to convey emotion or information can be very effective. Example: Someone might raise their eyebrows and open their eyes widely if they feel surprised.