what would you prefer????

Both actually. You listen to the words but sometimes gestures or the way the speaker moves validates the truth in their words. It's also kind of like observing their facial expressions when they're talking.

I think you i get what your talking about. i think your talking about when people are so animated when talking for me i cant help it.I move my hands around while talking depending on the topic.

Wow! Best Response! You just made my day! Thank you! I'm a bit curious, though...there were many other letters I thought were better than mine, so, what in particular led you to chose mine? I mean, if your finger just slipped & you put the BR on the wrong person, then it's okay to tell me; my feelings won't be hurt. Every writer worthy of the name must develop the hide of a rhino! Whatever the case, my sincere thanks. Maggiepie "England & America are two countries divided by a common language." ~ G.B. Shaw

Sometimes i do pay more attention with the gesture than with the words. I do this when the topic is already too boring and is already a repeated discussion. I easily get bored with topics that is not of my interest so what I do so the one speaking may not get upset, I just look at the gesture and nod, as if I'm listening.

When it comes to conversation I do my best to listen to the words that I speak and as well do my best to pay attention to the gestures that my body makes. Now and days you have to be careful of what you say and what gestures you make. If you say the wrong word or make the wrong gesture it can cause you to maybe lose a good friend or maybe even start a fight. As well when you having a conversation the words that you say can make an impact, and as well the gestures that you make reinforce the words that you are saying. So therefore when I am in a conversation I do my best to pay attention to what it is that I am saying and as well I pay attention to the gestures that I make while I am in a conversation with someone.

I prefer both because most people see you as a whole, how do you speak, how well verse you are and how you act on things that you say.

well,... you can't pay attention to only ur words... you need to listen to them also. if you pay attention to only your words then it means you are Rude to your guests. Listen more is better

No question--for me, it's my words that matter...hands down. Um...so to speak! Not that I don't gesture--I do!--but I don't pay attention to what my hands are doing, that's all. Maggiepie "You only have power over people as long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer in your power--he's free again." ~ Alexander Solzhenitsyn, novelist, Nobel laureate (1918-2008)

Well in the middle of conversation maybe I pay more attention to words but it depends on the topic sometimes it needs to express more gestures and words are not so important.

I tend to listen more to my words than to my gestures. This is beacuase most people can pick up on subtle clues in your words (or, the tone of voice you use) than they do to your gestures. Although, the gestures sometimes help to get a point across as well, so they both can be equally important at times.

well i just make a conversation and both just happen! :p usually my gestures are stiff when i'm nervous, so uh my gestures depend on words. :p

I pretty much just listen. I always pay attention to what the other person is saying. I am careful of the words I speak. I, after all have to understand the other person, and to find out what kind of person they are. Always keep your eyes and ears open. Listen and listen closely.

When I'm in the middle of a conversation I would say I pay more attention to the words I say than to my gestures. I gesture a little here and there but not a lot. I think then I concentrate more on what and how I'm saying things when I'm talking with others. I want to make sense with what I'm talking about so I focus more on that.

Hi Asliah, Nonverbal communication can count up to 80% of what your partner receives from you. If you say "I agree" but your shoulders are down and your face is sad, they will know that you do not agree. Communication is a really difficult thing - words are important and they must be chosen carefully, particularly when a sensitive subject is being discussed. HOWEVER, the way you say them (tone, inflection, eye contact, gestures, posture) is just as important. I have many times in my life felt people were insincere because of they way they portrayed a message, not so much because of the words they said. I vote nonverbal is the most important. You can always say to someone that you're struggling to find the words, but you hope they can feel the emotion and see how much what you're talking about matters to you.