Body Language
If we want
to understand each other well it’s essential to be aware of the role of body
language. Surprisingly, it’s estimated that human communication is based on it
approximately in 90%. It means that the majority of information we receive
comes from the gestures, facial expression, posture etc. Nowadays it’s often advised
to think about your behavior during a job interview, however it’s good to know
what signals we send with our body everyday.
Starting
with the most obvious thing – distance. Each of us has his own intimate space
around him and it is quite universally divided into certain parts. Keeping adequate
distance between interlocutors implicates the convenience of interaction. Look
at the diagram to understand how it works.
Another
aspect involves our arms and legs. Tapping at the table with fingers or a fast
tapping with feet may be a sign of impatience or nerves. It can also be a sign
of ADHD or the fact that someone is a drummer though.
Crossed arms
or legs when staying means that the person is reserved, trying to prevent him from
the social influence or feeling uncomfortable with his appearance. If arms are
crossed but the feet are shoulder width it is a sign of toughness and
authority.
Keeping
your arms on hips may indicate impatience or tiredness, while resting them on
the head means being open and easy-going.
An
interesting thing is the breathing pattern. Sometimes it’s good to observe it,
because a lot of subconscious
signals are send by it. For example quick breaths are connected with stress and
nerves, while long and deep ones mean calmness. Yet, if someone takes a deep,
quite loud breathes from time to time it can also mean that he’s bored or
tired.
Coming to
the facial expression, let’s point out some sources of suggestions. Eyes can
tell you a lot, but only if you look at them. Dilated pupils may be a sign of
an enthusiasm, but they can be dilated also after some using some substances
like drugs and alcohol. Frown eyebrows
are warning of a rage or disapproval. Looking away from the speaker may be a
sign of self-consciousness, but note that in some cultures looking in someone’s
eyes may mean disrespect or dare.
What’s more
– remember, that common gestures like thumb-up or waving with your hand may
have a different meaning in other countries. If you’re not aware of these meanings,
it’s better to avoid using certain signs then underestimate the meaning of body
language.
A quick lesson
about the basics of body language is given below:
Sources:
http://www.wikihow.com/Read-Body-Language
I think, that body language is a very important part of our communication, seomtimes it can even mean more than words. However, in my opinion, understanding and using it, is our natural ability. We don't need to specially learn about it, because we know almost all these things (subconsciously). Unfortunatelly, we must remember, that there are people, who want to manipulate us by body language.
ReplyDeleteBody Language is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people. I think body language is also very relevant to relationships outside of work.Your own body language reveals your feelings and meanings to others.
ReplyDeleteOther people's body language reveals their feelings and meanings to you. The sending and receiving of body language signals happens on conscious and unconscious levels. We have to remember that body language varies greatly with people and especially with international cultures so we should be very careful when we talk to other people.
Although our body language plays a bog part in the process of communication a lot of people are not aware of the mistakes and misunderstanding that are often caused by it. Recently, there was a discussion about adequacy of installing a special security camera in some Polish town. The camera was able to read the mood and intention of a man only by a code of his body language. F.e. if someone behaved obviously aggresively the camera would be able to warn certain guards. I have no doubts that we should go this way - the streets of Warsaw would be safer then.
ReplyDeleteI think that body language is very important in the process of communication. Often it seems to say even more than words. For example one "silly" smile can give us such a lot of happiness. In my opinion body language is the most important in male-female contacts but also in everyday situations, we may be very much needed knowledge of the body language.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity that there are two presentations concerned with one topic - it's difficult not to repeat some things. On the other hand, body language is very comprehensive subject especially when we realise how much it varies from place to place. Some body signs are the same everywhere but we should be careful about gestures. Sometimes it is just about not being understood, but some gestures which are common in our culture may be considered rude in another.
ReplyDeleteRecently, my friend told me that on her japanese course they had spoken of body language in Japan. Lector presented descriptions of some typical gestures and group had to try to guess and show how they look like. Ideas the group had differed a lot from the real gestures - usually their interpretations were rather funny. There is even a book '70 Japanese gestures', you can find some interesting facts in it - for example that sometimes "come over here" gesture may be misunderstood as "go away" (but it also help to find differences between them).
The variety of gestures and their meanings should make us more cautious about our behaviour especially if we travel a lot or work with foreigners.
Body language is really important if you have friends from other countries. Nowadays people speak English but not everyone. You can explain something with use of your arms or hands. Maybe it will be strange for people who look on it be the most important is understanding with you and your friend :)) I agree that we should pay attention on gestures in some exotic countries for example, in Europe is easier because our culture is similar. What is more significant in contact with other people is that you should watch out on intimate and personal space because it disturb in being natural.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, body language is important when we want to talk with another person, and it is no matter if we know, or not some languages. Behaviour and gestures can be , like was in the text, determinant of interest. And it is True. In fact, by body language we can express some of our emotions without control, so we can't hide everything.
ReplyDeleteOf course, body language is so helpful when we want to explain something. It's many situations when we can have problems with comunications.
Despite the fact that I know how body language is important, I do not think about it much. In my opinion it is natural and I do not think we should focus on our gestures. The thing is different with a job interview because in that situation, body language has an impact on our future. On the other hand, I think that our experience and knowledge are more important than the crossed arms.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion body language is really important part of communication with the other people. Sometimes by body language people can say more than in words. It is really fascinating that everyone understand these language. In many situations people can't express their feeling by words and they prefer body language.
ReplyDeleteI think that, even though sometimes we're probably not aware of what gestures we do, how to talk or look, body language is an essential element of communication between people. Our movements are often out of control and natural at the same time, so it's often not even realize that we did something. It also happens that we can't express something in words and gestures are the only way to express our thoughts. In my opinion, gestures shows greater openness to our receiver but, of course, it can't be too exaggerated but it must be appropriate to the situation.
ReplyDeleteFor me the most interesting fact from the article is that dilated pupils may be a sign of enthusiastic reaction.
ReplyDeleteThe body language as I written about the previous article is important in contacts with other people and also in more formal situation as applying for a job (as an author of the article notices). But the real problem begins when we go to the other country, and than we realize that signs and gestures used abroad have nothing in common with these to which we are used. It is always a good idea to make a little research before we cross the borders of different culture - this is how we can avoid a lot of misunderstandings.
Body language is one of the main ways to communicate with other people, and what's the best in this kind of communication - we can use it wherever we are, no matter what country we vist or with who we talk. Sometimes it's more important to have good gesticulation than way of talking :)
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ReplyDeleteSo this thing that we call body language is not universal (because of the diversity of culture), it can deceive us (we could thik that somone’s feeling nervous or have ADHD while he’s merely a drumer in local band) and it can be manipulated (we can learen to control it). It might be e a handy social skill and may even halp to get a good job, but I think that most people have some rudimentary knowledge of it.
I think that body language is very important part of our contact with other people. When someone use it properly it may build trust and friendly atmosphere. On this year we have a lot of presentations on my lecturers, when some students keep eye contact and gesticulate during their presentation it looks like that they have deeper knowledge. Body language also help us recognize if our conversationalist is honest with us.
ReplyDeleteBody language is important, because it shows everything what you are afraid to say, or what you feel. I don't think that I use it too much, but I like to wave my arm while talking. the worst for me is facial expressions because you can't imagine how many words is our face telling. you look different when you are mad, happy or tired, your rest of body is not showing as much as face. when I'm preparing to presentations I say in front of mirror and I try to work with my body language. but when i'm stressed I don't control it.
ReplyDeleteI think that body language is very important in our live, thaks to that we can guess people's emotions. I'm always tapping with my foot when I'm stressed but my friend is tapping his foot because his bored. That's why I think that body language is very individual thing for everyone and we need to spend some time with this person to know his body language.
ReplyDeleteFor me body langue is very important. It can show us things that we normally wouldn't see. All things conected with this topic are very interesting and usefull. I really want to go for some course abut body langue to lern more about others people thinking :)
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