Josh Baskin Character

How important is it to keep an open mind when communicating in the workplace? Distortions can mess with people’s perceptions of coworkers today more than ever. People work with people all over the world and a simple wave of the hand or making eye contact can be misinterpreted as an insult. Even people in the same region might have different methods of communicating. One business in town might be in little cubicles and can make announcements on the floor or in another business people have their own offices and email each other. Other’s distortions in of competitiveness, enthusiasm, and romance, in both verbal and nonverbal communication, help Tom Hank’s character, Josh Baskin, in “Big”.

First, Josh Baskin makes some mixed first impression during his interview with the manager at the toy company. Josh is picking at his lip at the beginning of the interview and the manager indicates he missed some information on the application. Incomplete applications and picking at the face is not generally accepted as interview behavior in western culture. Also, Josh has claimed 4 years’ experience on the computer, which the audience knows is from playing computer games. He later makes a connection with the interviewer, Mr. MacMillan, on the George Washington school, where Josh is refers to a middle or elementary school and the interview thinks post-secondary institution. Josh’s interview is not the unsurpassed but Mr. MacMillan is tries to be optimistic on Josh’s claimed computer experience.

In his next interactions with the boss, Josh shows several characteristics that put him on the fast track to a promotion. Tom Hank’s character is next childishly running through the office and literally runs into the manager when he is trying to comple...

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... stairs in heels and grabbing the kid to ask where Josh went. Josh also has deep feelings for Susan. He claims she is the only reason he did not change back into a kid the first chance he got. However, Susan finally realizes Josh is not ready and they cannot stay together. Josh has a fairly successful romantic relationship with Susan, but it cannot last given his present dilemma.

The distortions about Josh bring an array of communication related reactions. Josh has the pressure to mature to survive as an adult. He also has high expectations from his supervisor to propose more fun products. He also has a competitive coworker that perceives Josh as an enemy. In addition, Josh chooses to pursue a romantic relationship. All of these relationships cause Josh to revert to being an adolescent again.

Works Cited

Big. Dir. Penny Marshall. 20th Century Fox, 1988.DVD.