Communicating Non Verbal Impressions: Perspectives on the Exposed Feminine Cleavage

Abstract

Every day, people communicate millions of spoken and unspoken messages. Among the unspoken messages or non verbal messages is the exposed cleavage. For anybody that sizes up a lady, the eyes naturally go to any exposed cleavage. Attraction or attention appears instant. The question therefore is: why the trend of women exposing their cleavage with skintight blouses or dresses? If the goal of ladies who expose their cleavages is to attract attention, then the exposed feminine cleavage, with its attention grabbing quality, could work like magic. This study sought to establish the predominant impressions created by the non-verbal message of the exposed feminine cleavage. Two qualitative research designs – Focus Group Discussion and In-depth Interviews – were used to study ‘beholders’ perceptions of the exposed feminine cleavage. The results of the study established the message of the exposed cleavage as attention capturing and seductive. Moderation in dressing was recommended by the study so that the incidents of rape and sexual harassments associated with suggestive dressing would be reined in.

Keywords: Non verbal impressions, exposed feminine cleavage, attention grabbing, non-verbal message