Communication tactics: Hand gestures and touch

Hand gestures can help others follow conversation, particularly in background noise. Gestures can aid conversation, such as using a hand gesture to ask 'would you like a drink?'.

Touch can also be an effective way of getting someone's attention before speaking, such as a light touch on the shoulder. This prepares a person to listen from the beginning, which is important as this often conveys the subject matter and makes it easier to follow the conversation.