Communication Training Body Language

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Communication: Body Language

SOURCES

- Gestures: The Do’s and Taboos of Body Language. by Roger E. Axtell

- “Gestures: Body Language and Nonverbal Communication.” by Gary Imai. www.csupomona.edu/~tassi/gestures.htm.

NON-VERBALLY

Communication Channel- Albert Mehrabian

The Importance of Body Language

(Cont’d)

* Mario Pei, a communications expert, once estimated that humans can produce up to 700,000 different physical signs.

* Birdwhistell estimated that the face alone is capable of producing 250,000 expressions.

HEAD

- Nodding the head- “yes” in most societies- “no” in some parts of Greece, Yugoslavia,

Bulgaria, and Turkey- Tossing the head backward

- “yes” in Thailand, the Philippines, India, Laos- Rocking head slowly, back and forth

- “yes, I’m listening” in India and Thailand

EYES

* Eye contact- 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 Japan, Thailand,

China

EYES

EARS

* Ear grasp- “I’m sorry.” in India

* Cupping the ear- “I can’t hear you.” in all societies

* Pulling ear- “You are in my heart” for Navajo Indians

NOSE* Holding the nose

- “Something smells bad.” universal* Nose tap

- “It’s confidential.” England- “Watch out. Be careful.” Italy

* Pointing to nose- “It’s me.” Japan

* Blowing nose- In Japan and many Asian countries, blowing the

nose at social gathering is very impolite.

CHEEKS

* Cheek screw- gesture of praise - Italy- “That’s crazy.” Germany

* Cheek stroke- “pretty, attractive, success” most Europe

LIPS AND MOUTH* Whistle, yawn, smile, bite, point, sneeze, spit, kiss..* Kiss. In parts of Asia, kissing is considered an intimate

sexual act and not permissible in public, even as a social greeting.

* Kissing sound. To attract attention in the Philippines, to beckon a waiter in Mexico.

* Finger tip kiss. In France, it conveys several messages, “That’s good!” “That’s great!” “That’s beautiful!.”

* Spitting. Spitting in public is considered rude and crude in most Western cultures. In the PRC and some other Asian countries, spitting in public is very common.

THE LIP POINTING

* Lip pointing (a substitute for pointing with the hand or finger) is common among Filipinos, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, and many Latin Americans.

* Open mouth. Any display of the open mouth is considered very rude in most countries.

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 are interpreted by some social observers as a form of excluding self, “I am taking a defensive posture,” or “I disagree with what I am hearing.”

* Arms akimbo. In many cultures, this stance signals aggression, resistance, impatience, or even anger.

* Arms behind back, hands grasped is a 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.* The American “good-bye” wave can be

interpreted in many parts of Europe and Latin America as the signal for “no.”

* The Italian “good-bye” wave can be interpreted by Americans as the gesture of “come here.”

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Beckoning. * The American way of getting attention (raising a

hand with the index finger raised above head) could be considered rude in Japan, and also means “two” in Germany.

* The American “come here” gesture could be seen as an insult in most Asian countries.

* In China, to beckon a waiter to refill your tea, simply turn your empty cup upside down.

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Handshaking is a form of greeting in most Western cultures. * In the Middle East, a gentle grip is appropriate.* In most Asian cultures, a gentle grip and an

avoidance of direct eye contact is appropriate.* Hand-holding among the same sex is a custom of

special friendship and respect in several Middle Eastern and Asian countries.

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Right hand. 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.

* Left hand is considered unclean in much of the Middle East and in parts of Indonesia.

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Hang loose.(thumb and little finger extended) * could convey different meanings:

* in Hawaii, it’s a way of saying, “Stay cool,” or “Relax.”

* in Japan, it means six.* In Mexico (do vertically), it means, “Would you

like a drink?”

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Suicide gesture.* In the U.S., a person points a forefinger to the

temple, thumb pointing upward.* In Japan, a stabbing motion to the stomach is

used.* In parts of Asia, putting one hand to throat in a

choking motion is the signal for suicide.

HANDS (Cont’d)

* Clapping hands.* Russians and Chinese may use applause to

greet someone.* In many central and eastern Europe,

audience frequently clap in rhythm.

FINGERS* The “O.K.” signal. (the thumb and forefinger form a

circle) means

* “fine,” or “O.K.” in most cultures,* “zero” or “worthless” in France* an insult in Greece, Brazil, Italy, Turkey, Russia

* Thumbs-up. It means:* “O.K.” “good job” or “fine” in most cultures,* “Up yours!” in Australia* “Five” in Japan; “One” in Germany

* Avoid a thumbs-up in these countries: Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Russia, and most African countries.

FINGERS (Cont’d)

* 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.

* Thumbs (Pockets, on Jacket, etc)* Thumbs will display superiority also, hiding

thumbs in pockets can demonstrate the need to hide superiority.

LEGS AND FEET

* In Thailand, do not point with your toes.* In Thailand, Japan, China, Malaysia, France.., do not

put your feet up on a desk or any other piece of furniture.

* Sitting cross-legged is common in North America and some European countries.

* “Royal Cross” is common in England.

LEGS AND FEET (Cont’d)

* In Japan, Thailand, and China, a solid and balanced sitting posture is the prevailing custom. Sitting cross-legged shows the sign of disrespect.

* In the Middle East and 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.

LEGS AND FEET

THANKS! AND…..

* YOUR * thoughts* experiences* questions

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