A nurse who understands the healing (治愈) value of silence can use this understanding to assist in the care of patients from their own and from other cultures.

A silence in a conversation may also show stubbornness, or worry.

After a long silence, he said yes.

For example, Russian, French, and Spanish persons may use silence to show agreement between parties about the topic under discussion.

However, Mexicans may use silence when instructions are given by a person in authority rather than be rude to that person by arguing with him or her.

I soon realized that the silence was not unpleasant.

In still another use, persons in Asian cultures may view silence as a sign of respect, particularly to an elder or a person in authority.

In these cultures, silence is a call for reflection.

Into the complete silence of the waiting class came the teacher's sweet voice, \Good morning, children.\

Many native Americans value silence and feel it is a basic part of communicating among people, just as some traditional Chinese and thai persons do.

Now, I appreciate the silence and the new way of communication it opens.

Nurses and other care-givers need to be aware of the possible meanings of silence when they come across the personal anxiety their patients may be experiencing.

Nurses should recognize their own personal and cultural construction of silence so that a patient's silence is not interrupted too early or allowed to go on unnecessarily.

Other cultures may use silence in other ways, particularly when dealing with conflicts among people or in relationships of people with different amounts of power.

Persons in other cultural groups value silence and view it as necessary for understanding a person's needs.

Silence may be viewed by some cultural groups as extremely uncomfortable; therefore attempts may be made to fill every gap 间隙 with conversation.

Silences may be thoughtful, or they may be empty when a person has nothing to say.

Speech is silver; silence is gold.

The meaning of silence varies among cultural groups.

We've all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.

With time, an uncomfortable silence grew between us.

\We're in no way trying to silence parents' voices, \ Steinberg says.