Body Language
Bodily Speaking… In a normal conversation between
two persons, less than 35% of the social meanings is actually transmitted by words.
So, at least 65% of it is conveyed through the body (non-verbal channel).
Communication Through Body Movements
• Emblems:– Emblems are nonverbal substitutes for specific
words or phrases. – E.g. OK, come here, go away etc.
• Illustrators:– They accompany and literally illustrate verbal
messages. – E.g. hands far apart when talking of something
large.
Communication Through Body Movements
• Affect Displays:– They are the movements of the face
that convey emotional meaning. – E.g. expression of fear, surprise,
happiness etc.• Regulators:
– They monitor, maintain, or control the speaking of another individual.
– E.g. facial expression and hand gestures indicating keep going, slow down etc.
Communication Through Body Movements
• Adaptors– They satisfy some need and usually occur without
conscious awareness. – E.g. scratching one’s head.
HEAD
• Nodding the Head: - “Yes” in most societies.
• Rocking Head Slowly, Back and Forth:- “yes, I’m listening” in most Asian cultures.
Facial Communication• Communicating through face
• Facial Management Techniques:– Intensifying– To exaggerate a feeling– De-intensifying– Neutralizing– To hide a feeling/ Masking– To replace or substitute the expression of one emotion for another
• Facial expression influences reactions• The same facial expression are seen differently if people are
given different contexts
Eye Communication
• Eye Contacts:- Encouraged in America, Canada, Europe- Rude in most Asian countries and in Africa
• Raising Eyebrows:- “Yes” in Thailand and some Asian countries- “Hello” in the Philippines
• Winking Eye:- Sharing secret in America and Europe- Flirtatious gesture in other countries
• Closed Eyes:- Bored or sleepy in America- “I’m listening and concentrating” in other countires
Eye Communication
• The messages communicated by the eyes vary depending on the duration, direction and quality of the eye behavior.
• Eye Contact Functions:– To monitor feedback– To maintain interest and attention– To regulate the conversation– To signal the nature of the relationship– To compensate for physical distance– Eye avoidance function– To allow others to maintain their privacy– Signal lack of interest
Silence
• Your silence communicates just as intensely as you verbalize.
• Functions of Silence:– Provide thinking time– Inflict hurt– Hide anxiety– Prevent communication– Communicate emotional responses– Communicate “nothing”
Ears• Ear Grasp:
- “I’m sorry” in parts of South Asia
• Cupping the Ear:- “I can’t hear you” in all societies
Nose• Holding the Nose:
- “Something smells bad.” universal• Nose Tap:
- “It’s confidential.” England- “Watch out!” or "Be careful” in Italy
• Blowing Nose:- In most countries, blowing the nose at social
gathering is ‘disgusting.’
ARMS• Some cultures, like the Italians, use the arms
freely. Others, like the Japanese, are more reserved; it is considered impolite to gesticulate with broad movements of the arms.
• Folding Arms:– Form of excluding self, “I am taking a defensive
posture,” or “I disagree with what I am hearing”
Arms• Arms Akimbo:
– Signals aggression, resistance, impatience, or even anger
• Arms Behind Back:– Sign of ease and control.
• Arms in Front:– hands grasped, common practice in
most Asian countries, is a sign of mutual respect for others
Hands
• Of all the body parts, the hands are probably used most for communicating non-verbally.
• Hand waves are used for greetings, beckoning, or farewells.
Hands
– The right hand has special significance in many societies.
– In certain countries in the Middle East and in Asia, it is best to present business cards or gifts, or to pass dishes of food, to get an attention, using only the right hand or both.
Fingers• The “O.K.” signal (the thumb and forefinger
form a circle) means:– “fine,” or “O.K.” in most cultures– “zero” or “worthless” in some parts of
Europe– “money” in Japan– an insult in Greece, Brazil, Italy, Turkey,
Russia and some other countries
Fingers
• “Thumb-up” means:– “O.K.” “good job” or “fine” in most
cultures,– “Five” in Japan; “One” in Germany
• Pointing:– Pointing with the index finger is common in
North America and Europe.– But it is considered impolite in Japan and
China where they favor using the whole open hand.
– Malaysians prefer pointing with the thumb.
Legs and Feet
• Sitting cross-legged, while common in North America and some European countries, is very impolite in other parts of the world.
• In most Asian countries, a solid and balanced sitting posture is the prevailing custom. Sitting cross-legged shows the sign of disrespect.
• In the Middle East and most parts of Asia, resting the ankle over the other knee risks pointing the sole of your shoe at another person, which is considered a rude gesture.