BODY LANGUAGE

Introduction:

Body language communicates much more than words.  Body language signals are called ‘leakages’ because you may try to tell something, but the truth will leak out visually. Body language is the Communication of personal feelings, emotions, attitudes, thoughts through body movements-gestures, postures,  facial expressions, walking styles, positions and distance – either consciously or involuntary, more often subconsciously, and accompanied or unaccompanied by the spoken language. For example, when two people meet for the first time, their initial reaction is to size up each other by observing appearance, attire, facial expression, hand shake and posture.

AVOID SUCH BODY LANGUAGE

The following body language should be avoided:

Relaxed Hands:

It sends non-verbal messages of a person’s confidence, acceptance, and well being.

Open Hands:

It is a sign of trust, and a show of interest in the opinion of the other person. It can also mean an invitation to the other to share his or her point of view.

Clenched Hands:

It sends a number of signals depending on the context and the mood. It might also signify extreme emphasis, vehement declaration and desperate resolve. It also indicates tension and frustration and even anger. People often try to cover up their feelings by displaying a happy, smiling face but are betrayed by their clenched fists.

Wringing Hands:

It denotes discomfort and tension.

Pointing Index Finger:

It accompanies a word of threatening or warning, when one tries to drive a point home. People often take offence.

Thumb Gestures:

Slipping hands into the pockets –the front or the back ones—and letting the thumbs stick out betrays a very dominant and aggressive attitude.

Thumbs Up:

It is a gesture of exuding power and superiority.

Cracking of Knuckles:

It is a signal of anxiety, nervousness, boredom, restlessness and an unresolved state of mind.

Crossed or Folded Arms:

It indicates a protective guard against anticipated attack. It is also a comfortable position and the gesture that stands for relaxation. It reflects a closed mind as well. It signifies defensiveness or negativity. It is observed that people use this gesture when they feel insecure or when they disagree with the speaker.

Partial Arm Cross:

To avoid the full crossed arm-gesture, people often end up using this gesture instead. It reflects lack of self-confidence.

Arms behind the Back:

This gesture is restored to by a person who is experiencing inner conflict. He must be trying to hold himself back from taking aggressive action. It is also a gesture of self-control.

Mouth Covering:

The person doing this might be

• Lying
• Unsure of what he is saying
• Trying to prevent himself from expressing his views which may be opposed to the speaker’s
• Whispering to keep something secret
• Trying to suppress a feeling
• Suffering from bad breath.

Putting Objects in Mouth:

It shows that the person is under great pressure. If one uses this while speaking it suggests that he is procrastinating. It indicates that he is not sure or delaying a decision.

Neck Scratching:

It shows that the person is suffering from some psychological discomfort at the given moment.

Rubbing Eyes:

This shows that a person is in doubt or trying to deceive. It is also used while lying.

Nose Rubbing:

It can be a sign of rejection, a gesture of doubt, when one is not sure about how to approach a subject or what the reaction of the audience might be.

Hand on Check:

It signifies that he is in the process of evaluation, or in deep reflection, attention and interest.

Chin Stroking:

This suggests a person is in deep reflection. It follows the flow of choices a person is deliberating upon regarding the proposition under consideration.

Hand on the Head:

It indicates despair, bereavement, prolonged thinking, and boredom. It can also indicate extreme interest when accompanied by proper eye gestures.

Slapping the Head:

It signifies forgetfulness, he is not intimidated ssby the other person having mentioned his forgetfulness. However, scratching the head with the hand is a gesture that expresses frustration or indicates that one is feeling flustered.

LOOKING AGGRESSIVE

The following kind of body language is aggressive:

• —Arms folded across the chest
• —Staring
• —Pointing
• —Making a fist
• —Leaning over someone

—BEHAVING RUDELY

Some of the rude behavior should avoid are follow:

• —Working when someone is talking to you
• —Puffing
• —Tolerating
• —Smirking
• —Whispering
• —Cracking knuckles
• —Grooming yourself’
• —Standing too close
• —Packing up folders and papers well before the meeting is over
• —Shaking hands too hard or limp handshakes
• Yawning when the meeting is in progress
• —Looking at your watch repeatedly
• —Blinking a lot
• —Fiddling with rings, watches, earrings and chains
• —Tapping or clicking pens
• —Playing with paper clips
• —Jingling money in pocket
• —Picking at fingernails
• —Twiddling bits of hair
• —Smoking

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