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).

Paralanguage• Refers to the manner in which you say

something rather than to what you say.

Body Communicates…“From

Head to Toes”

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

Facial expressions reflect emotion, feelings and attitudes…

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.