In my experience persons living together in difficult circumstances (e.g. close friends, family members) often develop the ability to relate to the other person's non-verbal cues.

For instance; A spouse may go shopping with a list in hand prepared by his partner, and return with a few items not mentioned on the list - only to have his partner indicate one or more items were missed by oversight. Similarly roomies at hostel may merely by a glance communicate an unspoken understanding of intent & action.

Understandably such incidents probably do not occur with high frequency. They are, however, not totally rare either - which leads me to wonder whether such non-verbal communication may be taught rather than acquired?

In my experience people living together in difficult circumstances (e.g. close friends, family members) often learn to relate to each other's non-verbal cues.

For instance; A spouse may go shopping with a list in hand prepared by his partner, and return with a few items not mentioned on the list - only to have his partner indicate one or more items were missed by oversight. Similarly people sharing a room in a hostel may merely by a glance communicate an unspoken understanding of intent & action.

Understandably such incidents probably do not occur with high frequency. They are, however, not totally rare either. This brings me to my question:

Can such non-verbal communication be taught rather than acquired?

This may be subjective ... please feel free to vote to close.

In my experience persons living together in difficult circumstances (e.g. close friends, family members) often develop the ability to relate to the other person's non-verbal cues.

For instance; A spouse may go shopping with a list in hand prepared by his partner, and return with a few items not mentioned on the list - only to have his partner indicate one or more items were missed by oversight. Similarly roomies at hostel may merely by a glance communicate an unspoken understanding of intent & action.

Understandably such incidents probably do not occur with high frequency. They are, however, not totally rare either - which leads me to wonder whether such non-verbal communication may be taught rather than acquired?

In my experience persons living together in difficult circumstances (e.g. close friends, family members) often develop the ability to relate to the other person's non-verbal cues.

For instance; A spouse may go shopping with a list in hand prepared by his partner, and return with a few items not mentioned on the list - only to have his partner indicate one or more items were missed by oversight. Similarly roomies at hostel may merely by a glance communicate an unspoken understanding of intent & action.

Understandably such incidents probably do not occur with high frequency. They are, however, not totally rare either - which leads me to wonder whether such non-verbal communication may be taught rather than acquired?