Analysis On The Meanings Of Touching Behavior In Friends

Generally speaking, interpersonal communication is performed in two ways: verbal language and nonverbal communicative signals. Although the former is a more important form in the process of communication, it is difficult to achieve the communication goal without the cooperation of nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communicative signals play an important role in interpersonal communication process. Our tone of voice, eye movement, posture, hand gestures, touches, facial expressions and so on are also of vital importance in our communication. It is showed that in face-to-face communication over 70 percent of all information is sent by nonverbal means while 30 percent is conveyed through speaking. With the rapid development of science and technology, the world is becoming increasingly a global village. Cultural interflow and convergence are powerful trends. However, it is full of differences and contradiction in the world. Humans need to meet the demands of new situations. And to learn some nonverbal behaviors is one of effective ways. Touching behavior is an important part of nonverbal behavior. It is widely used. We shouldn't neglect its importance.This paper analyzes different meanings of touching behaviors under different situations by taking the vivid examples from "Friends", which is very popular lasting for ten years in America, based on the theory of communication, and theories of nonverbal communication and touching behavior.This paper can be divided into four parts. The first part is the introduction of: purpose, significance and scope of the study. The second part discusses the definition of communication and seven elements of communication process; the characteristics, functions and classification of nonverbal communication; the importance, classification and characteristics of the touching behavior, which is an important part of nonverbal communication. The third part analyzes the meanings of touching behavior by taking examples from "Friends". The last part comes to the conclusion: the meanings of touching behavior are quite different communicated by different persons under different situations. By analyzing on the meanings of touching behavior in "Friends", we want to draw people pay more attention to touching behavior while communicating and make their communication more successful.