The Power of Nonverbal Communication Those in our society who are very aware of nonverbal communication in public places are the police. In most neighborhoods of every major city in the U.S. they are aware of the nonverbal interaction by those who live there and the ones who are strangers.
The police are capable of monitoring places for suspicious looking individuals: Places like Grand Central Station in New York City and other locations that might attract pickpockets who spot tourists by their nonverbal messages and relieve them of their wallets or jewelry.
I recall reading an article in the New York Times about a policeman who patrolled certain locations late at night. During his beat, he looked for those who had books in their possession. He noticed, after many years reading nonverbal signs, that a person who carried books usually wore glasses or appeared to be reasonably prosperous. However, he noticed that seldom did a pickpocket carry a book. Instead, they usually had rolled up newspapers or magazines.
As a result of his keen observation into the nonverbal cues left by crooks, he apprehended more pickpockets in New York City than any other policeman.
In mystery novels I’ve read, most writers do a good job of describing their characters’ nonverbal actions. Writers seem to know the exact gestures and posture book characters need to use in order to conceal their identity such as stopping to look at the display in a store window, lighting a cigarette, or checking a train schedule. The writers also do an excellent job of describing the way in which nonverbal messages are communicated by their characters when follow142