It is obvious that communication is essential to having healthy relationships between both friends and family members. But, it is important to know that most communication is not simply just a matter of using words. First of all, most of what we are trying to communicate is expressed through tone or body gestures. Secondly, most of how we interpret other’s communication toward us is based on our own personal experiences or backgrounds. For example, a message that is meant to be clear and non-threatening may be received as cloudy and aggressive.
A key to communicating is to be sensitive to the person you are communicating to. Understand that what you say may affect them deeper than intended. They cannot read your mind and just ‘know’ what you are trying to say. Also, I am pretty sure that they have not been through the same experiences you have in order to draw the same conclusions. Secondly, be careful when you think you know what someone is trying to communicate to you. Don’t make hasty assumptions. An aggressive act or gesture in one family may be seen and funny or friendly in another. The best thing you can do to communicate efficiently is to always ask questions. Instead of jumping to conclusions and getting into an argument, it is better to ask and LISTEN to what the other person may have meant. When they respond, tell them what you got out of it so you can then address where the problem was in communications.