who says communication needs to involve speech only?
JAM! Not again.. Obviously, I was not tuning to any radio station while driving to school. This is one bad decision.
Are there any ways to beat any jams? Yes there is! One of the ways involves listening to the radio station where there will be constant updates on the traffic conditions all over Singapore. Another way is to observe the speed of the traffic and the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) overhead digital board. As such, one would be more aware of the traffic conditions of one’s travel paths.
EMAS digital overhead bulletin board
To be frank, there are not any EMAS digital overhead bulletin boards present when I nearly took the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE). Where are the signs?
Can communication then not rely on verbal means? Will communication be effective without speech?
As for myself, being a visual person, pictures and lively things capture my attention.
Taking note of all the colourful road signs, especially the ones that shouts ‘DANGER’, fully captures my attention on the roads. Would I like to speed at steep bends where warning signs are placed all along the road? I obey the signs because I know that the Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) has a good reason in placing the signs. Ethos is present.
Whether verbal methods work best or not highly depends on the individual amd the particular scenario. To me, listening to the radio is for music entertainmemt (strictly no news!). On the other hand, my Dad would tune in to listen to the news. I sigh whenever he is in the car.
As much as my driving patterns are concerned, I frequently communicate to other drivers without me speaking. High beaming and honking the driver in front of me are my favourite past times during driving. It helps the driver in front of me understand that he is getting on my nerves by either driving like a snail or inconsiderately by cutting my lane suddenly.
Hence, in this context of driving, verbal communication is not as important as signs warning from lights. Yes, it is an interactive model of communication because there is ‘noise’ (distractions) present, such as, talking over the mobile phone while driving. It is then up to the driver to be responsible and adapt accordingly. We can come up with plenty of communication methods, but as long as we do not pay careful attention to absorb the information presented to us, and we react in a misunderstood manner, we have not communicated well.
Would you then want to still drive in front of me?
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