Silence

Silence is golden. Once of the most famous proverbs know containing the word “silence.” This proverb is used in circumstances where it is thought that saying nothing is preferable to speaking. As a child, I was taught to speak when spoken to, and if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all. I believe my upbringing has taught me that sometimes silence is a wiser decision than telling lies or false statements. Silence has many meanings and uses, as discussed in interpersonal communications class.

Despite its dictionary definition: the absence of any sound or noise, silence communicates. Silence communicates just as intensely as anything spoken. Just like words and gestures, silence serves important communication functions. Silence gives the speaker time to think, and formulate and organize thoughts. In short, silence prepares the receiver for the importance of future messages.

Silence has many good and bad indications. For example, silence can indicate hostility. Pouting in silence is a way some people handle anger. This type of silence is usually pulsating with bad feelings and draw out anger on the part of the other person. Also, silence can indicate disagreement. When I experience anger, fear, or embarrassment, my brain shuts down. I sit fuming, enraged, and unable to find words. This is one of my most common uses of silence. Silence also indicates respect. In some cultures, a young person may be expected to approach an older person in authority and remain silent until acknowledged and spoken to. Lastly, and most frequently, silence is used during contemplation. The more withdrawn a speaker is, the more likely they will think before they speak. This allows the speaker to figure and sort out information inside their own head and heart before giving voice to it. As illustrated, silence has many indications, and is determined good or bad by the context it is used.