This document discusses body language and its importance in communication. It notes that body language conveys 55% of communication, compared to 38% for tone of voice and 7% for words. It explores various components of body language including facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, hand movements, and cultural differences. Key points are that body language gives intuitive messages and varies significantly between cultures.

1. BODY LANGUAGE
IN
COMMUNICATION
BY

2. Body Language

3. What do we mean by
“Body Language” ??
The medium through which
people and animals
communicate using
gestures, expressions and
posture.

4. Why is Body Language
important?
• Body language plays a big role in intuition
as it gives us messages about the other
person, that we can interpret at an
intuitive level.
55%
7%
38%
Source: www.google.com

5. Components of Body Language
Source: www.google.com

6. Facial Expressions
 There are some universal facial
expressions; a smile, a frown, etc.
 Eye contact is direct and powerful.
 The use of eye contact varies significantly
from culture to culture

7. 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 most Asian cultures
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8. Looking
How long do you look?
Staring- dehumanizes or challenges
Glances - socially acceptable timing
Appraisal- may indicate interest
Do you look when you talk?
Do you look when you listen?

9. EYES
* 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
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10. EYES (Cont’d)
* Closed eyes
- bored or sleepy in America
- “I’m listening and concentrating.”
in Japan, Thailand, China
10

11. Gestures
Fidgeting shows boredom and
restlessness.
Pressing fingers together to form a
steeple shows interests, assertiveness
and determination.
Touching the nose or rubbing eyes
indicates discomfort.
A hand to the back of the neck may
indicate withdrawal from a
conversation.

12. Open Stance
Interested people always have an erect
posture, pay attention and lean forward
A firm handshake will give the impression of
assertiveness or honesty
People showing open hands, both feet
planted on the ground are accepting
A head tilted to the side indicates interest

13. Closed Stance
Leaning backwards demonstrates aloofness
or rejection
Folding arms across ones chest or body is
protective and gives the impression of a
closed, guarded and defensive character.
People with arms folded, legs crossed and
bodies turned away are signalling that
they are rejecting messages.
A head down is negative and judgmental

14. Different Cultures ...
A crowded
culture
What is your
private
space?

15. Personal Space
There are four distinct zones in which most
people operate:
Intimate Area 15-50 cm
Personal Area 0.5-1m
Social Area 1-3m
General Area 3m

16. When you invade my space.
Reactions to an invasion of
your space:-
1 Feel troubled
2 Get defensive
3 Become aggressive
Retaliate

17. HANDS
* Beckoning.
* The Western 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 Western “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.
17

18. 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.
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19. 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 19

20. 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. 20

21. 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!.”
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22. LIPS AND MOUTH (Cont’d)
* Spitting.
* Spitting in public is considered rude
and crude in most Western cultures.
* In the PRC and many other Asian
countries, spitting in public is to rid a
person’s waste and, therefore, is
healthy.
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23. Masks We Wear
Public Masks
Public smile
Clothing
Putting on my face
Extended territory
On the road
At work
Can we drop masks?

24. NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR INTERPRETATION
Brisk, erect walk Confidence
Standing with hands on hips Readiness, aggression
Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking slightly Boredom
Sitting, legs apart Open, relaxed
Arms crossed on chest Defensiveness
Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders hunched Dejection
Hand to cheek Evaluation, thinking
Touching, slightly rubbing nose Rejection, doubt, lying
Rubbing the eye Doubt, disbelief
Hands clasped behind back Anger, frustration, apprehension
Locked ankles Apprehension

25. Head resting in hand, eyes downcast Boredom
Rubbing hands Anticipation
Sitting with hands clasped behind head, legs crossed Confidence, superiority
Open palm Sincerity, openness, innocence
Pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed Negative evaluation
Tapping or drumming fingers Impatience
Steepling fingers Authoritative
Patting/fondling hair Lack of self-confidence; insecurity
Tilted head Interest
Stroking chin Trying to make a decision
Looking down, face turned away Disbelief
Biting nails Insecurity, nervousness
Pulling or tugging at ear Indecision

26. Do’s and the
Don'ts.

27. Have eye contact, but don’t stare

28. Relax your shoulders

29. Nod when they are talking

30. Don’t slouch, sit up straight

31. Lean, but not too much

32. Smile and laugh

33. Body Contact – give a hug
Fond attachment, devotion, or love -
Affection 33

34. Body Contact – hold hands
To soothe, console, or reassure; bring -
comfort 34

35. Don’t touch your face

36. Keep your head up

37. Use your hands more confidently

38. Don’t stand too close

39. Don’t fidget

40. Keep a good attitude

41. Do you know what you are saying?

42. FACE
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43. Body Language

44. We do
not have
bodies;
we are
our
bodies...
44