Nonverbal communication is learned and practiced often on an unconscious level. As we grow older and become more aware of ourselves we should be able to recognize and weed out the unwholesome in favor of those for whom we have an affinity. Body language can be disguised behind a mask out of a fear of rejection. This can discourage wanted and needed relationships from developing. Those who want and need certain relationships to develop must relearn their nonverbal skills and unmask themselves in order to avoid alienation.
Body language is open to misinterpretation just as verbal communication is.
It must be interpreted in the context of one's lifestyle, family, cultural background, and other factors that may be obscure. Each person has a limited repertoire of gestures and uses the same gestures to signify certain feelings. Gestures also can occur in clusters, so that while any particular gesture alone may not mean much, when it is reinforced by other gestures in a cluster the feeling or attitude being projected is confirmed. These gestures can be observed in spouse relationships, parent child relationships, supervisor worker relationships, worker client relationships, and any other time that two people are communicating. Nonverbal Tips for Improved Communication Make yourself comfortable with the other.