Body Language, 3

 

Vocabulary

nod	actual	ancestor
tone	express	intention
tilt	bow (2)	stranger
nod	sign (3)	subconscious
reject	upright	elevator
conflict	lean (2)	measure (2)
inherit	way (2)	prehistoric
utter	off-guard	conscious
reveal	cross (2)	catch/caught
toe	gesture	behavior
scowl	come off	make faces
boost	offensive	turn away
choppy	frenemy	give you away
blink	impatient	overwhelmed
slouch	mean (3)	indication
tip off	posture	confidence
betray	palm (2)	empathetic
gaze	don’t care	in contrast
avoid	wave (3)	giveaway (2)
scratch	stammer	compassionate

 

Seven, Thirty Eight, Fifty Five

You’ve heard it said: in human communication, only 7% consists of a person’s actual words, and 38% is their tone of voice and the way they speak.

That means 55% is through body language.

Words vs. Gestures and Movements

People express themselves and send clear messages without uttering a single word. Simply nodding, tilting, or bowing your head can tip strangers off to your emotional state.

Moreover, when a person’s words and body language conflict with one another, a listener subconscious level will believe a speaker’s body language and rejects what he or she says.

The Elevator

Think of the last time you were in an elevator. When you were alone, you might have crossed your legs and leaned against the wall. But as soon as a stranger walked in, you immediately uncrossed your legs and stood upright.

Changing your stance like that is actually a protective measure we have inherited our prehistoric ancestors, says Joe Navarro, a retired FBI agent and author of the international bestseller, What Every Body is Saying.

“Your conscious doesn’t want you to be caught off-guard around strangers,” he says. Standing up straight makes you ready to attack, counter-attack or run if necessary.

6 Gestures and Movements

Here are 6 things your bodies can reveal about their emotions, intentions, thoughts, feelings — even if you don’t say a single word.

1. You like someone.

If you really like someone, your toes will tend to point directly toward the person you want in your life, says Lillian Glass, human behavior expert.

2. You don’t like someone.

Your feet will betray you again. In fact, Navarro calls feet “the most honest body part.” “If you’re in a room with someone you don’t like, you won’t scowl or make faces because you don’t want to come off as mean or offensive,” he says, “but your feet will almost immediately turn away from that person.”

That act distances you from your “frenemy”.

3. You’re impatient.

Your hands will give you away — and so will your voice, says Susan Constantine, a leadership coach. People who wave their hands in quick, choppy movements and talk very fast tend to be impatient.

4. You’re overwhelmed.

Your shoulders will slouch. Yes, it’s an indication that you’re stressed, but it can also be a sign of defeat. It’s another reason to improve your posture (which can also boost your confidence).

5. You’re compassionate.

You’ll touch your heart — literally. People who are empathetic show it through little movements in conversation, like putting a hand to their heart or gesturing with their palms up.

In contrast, if someone says, “I’m so sorry,” but makes no movement, he or she doesn’t really care.

6. You’re lying.

Lack of eye contact isn’t the giveaway you might think; someone who avoids your gaze could just be shy.

But if someone avoids eye contact while leaning back, blinking a lot, scratching at her arms or nose, or stammering, then you’ve probably got a liar on your hands.

Questions

1. What do the numbers 7, 38 and 55 refer to?

2. Do you always have to know another language to know how a foreigner feels?

3. Which is more truthful or revealing about a person, reading what he or she wrong, hearing him on the radio, or seeing him speak on Youtube?

4. People stand and behave the same way in front of strangers and when they are alone at home. True or false?

5. Our body language, gestures and movements are part of modern culture. Is this right or wrong?

6. How can you tell if Ryan likes Susan and vice versa?

7. Describe the behavior of someone on Monday morning vs. Friday afternoon.

8. Compare the behavior of government vs. private sector workers.

9. Mitch tells his friend Charlie that he was laid off from his job and his wife ran away with his other friend. How might Charlie react?

10. What are some features of lying?

 

A. Are all these body postures and movements similar in your culture?

B. I can usually tell how someone feels or thinks by their tone of voice and body language. Yes, no, usually, often, sometimes, rarely or never?

C. In your culture, are people open and talkative? Do people understand others more by words, or tone of voice and body language?

D. Is body language important in your profession? Would it be advantageous to know and be an expert of body language?

E. Would being a body language expert help in your social life and personal relationships?

F. What will happen in the future?