LOOK INTO MY EYES
COMMUNICATION IN THE ERA OF FACE MASKS
Smile and the world smiles with you! A friendly idea in an ideal world, but in our COVID-19 world of mandatory masks this becomes a little more challenging. How often have we wondered: "Do you know I am smiling at you? Are you smiling back at me?" Or even: "Are you who I think you are, or did I mistake you for someone else? Do you recognise me?" Many of us are struggling with our so-called "new normal" of trying to breathe, talk and listen while navigating social distancing. All this with a backdrop of uncertainty, anxiety and discomfort in a world that doesn't seem as friendly when it's filled with people wearing masks. Masks are not simply covering our faces; they are creating a barrier to the communication channels we are so used to, making us feel alienated and a little disorientated in social situations.
In literature, comics and movies, masks have been used to suggest mistrust and suspicion. Among others, think of Zorro, Batman, Hannibal and The Man in the Iron Mask, all characters whose identities were hidden one way or another, creating discomfort and often fear. Such powerful cultural cues can be activated, however subconsciously, when we cover our faces, even for the valid protective reasons.
When body language specialists are asked if it is still worth smiling if your smile is hidden or blocked, the answer is a resounding yes, because so much information shows up in the eyes and eyebrows. According to one expert, a "true smile" shows in the laugh lines around the eyes, with the eyes crinkling and narrowing. People can also "hear" when someone smiles because it changes the shape of the mouth, causing the voice to become brighter.
Experts estimate that over 50% of our communication is non-verbal, with the eyes and mouth providing some of the vital clues to convey and receive messages to and from others. Certain facial expressions, including anger, fear, joy and disgust, communicate the same emotions across cultures, and the expressiveness of a person's eyes plays an important role. Although the mouth, nose, cheeks and jaw may be covered by a mask, we can still perceive the emotion in a person's eyes, which are powerful and highly accurate couriers of emotional information.
Some advice from these specialists can help us meet the challenge of communicating behind masks by being aware of our body language, but they caution against relying on just one cue. Wearing sunglasses and a mask blocks interaction with others so remove your sunglasses. When your eyes can't be seen, your feelings can't be interpreted, leading to uncertainty, discomfort and lack of trust. Folding the arms or holding your throat closes off the areas of the body which enhance friendliness and approachability. Tilting the head to the side while talking or listening is seen as showing interest in the other person and being compassionate. From a thumbs up to a wave, the hands can reinforce both verbal and non-verbal communication. Active listening skills, like nodding or leaning towards the speaker, are vital when we are masked, and facial and verbal cues are limited.
With eye gestures made by the eyes, eyebrows and eye lids, it is possible to say a lot while saying nothing at all. Eye contact is the fundamental pathway to creating connections and tuning in to others, but even the norms around eye contact have changed, as we hold eye contact longer that we used to as we try to read the other person's feelings. Dilated pupils and relaxed wide eyes indicate comfort and interest, but when the pupils constrict or the eyes narrow someone may be feeling upset, threatened or stressed. Observe the eyebrows, one of the most difficult muscles to manipulate. You can detect sadness when a person's inner eyebrows are pulled together and up, while the brows tend to come down in anger and up in surprise.
During these challenging times when communication behind masks is often difficult, there may be an unexpected positive consequence of having to focus on connecting with others in different ways. When speech may be muffled and not easy to hear, when half the face is hidden, when it feels easier not to try and interact with others, making an effort to be more aware of cues other than those we are so used to may be a gateway to more understanding, empathy and compassion between people. So, keep smiling and perhaps the world will smile with you!