8 Tips on How to Read Body Language
Copyright (c) 2008 Pamela Scott
Our bodies communicate what we're feeling loudly and clearly. If you get angry in a conversation, your brain takes a minute or so to figure out how to respond without losing your temper. While your brain is doing its thing, your body is flashing signs that you are fuming. Here are eight tips for reading body language, so you can understand what's not being said.
All of these tips are based on American interpretations of body language. While some of this may apply to other cultures, not all of these aspects of body language convey the same message in other cultures.
A Smile is Just a Smile
Not always. A real smile involves crinkling around the eyes, the muscle action that leads to crows feet. The faux smiles you see on Hollywood faces are just poses. Unless the eyes are involved, the smile means nothing.
A Cold Shoulder is Really Cold
I was meeting with a friend and her husband. We were discussing business. When the husband brought up a sore topic that my friend didn't want to discuss, she unknowingly turned her shoulder away from her husband. She wasn't aware that she did so, but he got the message and changed the subject.
Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple . . .
We steeple our hands by putting our fingertips together in an inverted V. That gesture indicates confidence and can convey a superior position. This is not a good gesture to use when trying to close a deal. A woman who is working in a man's world can use this position to convey strength.
An Eye for an Eye
In the U.S., we expect people to look us in the eye when they talk to us. In a crowded elevator or on the street, someone who makes eye contact is open to a conversation with you. If you are talking and don't want to be interrupted, look away at the end of a sentence. That eye movement keeps your control. On the other hand, if you want to talk and the speaker isn't giving you a chance, stare at him intensely. He should stop talking and let you speak.
A Heart-to-Heart Talk
This sounds silly but it works. If you are trying to establish rapport with someone, point your heart at his or her heart. Conversely, if you don't like what you are hearing, point your heart away from the speaker.
You've Got to Hand It to Them
Prince Charles often stands with his hands clasped behind his back. This posture conveys superiority, confidence and power. When the hands are clasped in front of one's body, the posture conveys a need for protection.
Heads Up
Nodding one's head is a sign of agreement or saying "yes." A slow nod, usually done in threes, is a technique you can use to keep someone talking. A fast nod means you want them to hurry up so you can talk.
Good Old Boy Pose
You've seen this position in the movies. Guys put their hands behind their head, elbows sticking out, frequently leaning back, with one foot across the other knee. This position conveys authority and willingness to argue. Another man can respond to this gesture by assuming the same pose. A woman can disarm this position by standing up and moving whi
About the Author:
Pam Scott is CEO of Armstrong Scott Inc., the expert in communication and leadership for the engineering world. Her passion lies in helping individuals with interpersonal communications and helping companies with strategic communications. You can now get the Free Report "How to Master the Art of Managing People." Make sure to read more at her free blog on managing people.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 8 Tips on How to Read Body Language