How can you communicate with people that you can't even see?

This came across the news wire the other day.

Laura Bush appeared in the Middle East to bring awareness to breast cancer. A very worthwhile and noble cause. Breast cancer is a global issue and it was nice to see the 1st lady offer her voice to the cause.

As I looked at the photo op, it hit me. I know what is wrong when it comes to us in the West and those in the Middle East....

How can we communicate with people that we can't even see? It is like playing with an "invisible" friend and then say you had important dialogue. "Oh, we had a great talk." you say but how can you tell when you can't see their expressions. Maybe that joke you told was greeted by a veiled frown.

It then becomes a case of "What they hear. What we hear."