The document discusses various aspects of body language and non-verbal communication. It covers topics such as personal space and territorial distances both between intimate partners and in social settings. It also discusses how body language can differ across cultures and the "masks" people wear in public versus private situations. The document cautions that misinterpreting body language signals can lead to issues like conflicts, assumptions, and even legal trouble. Overall, the document stresses the importance of understanding body language cues and how messages can be obscured or clarified through non-verbal behaviors.

1. Body Language

2. Territory
Intimate Social
Touching Close 4-7 feet
6-18” Far - 7-12 feet
Personal Public
Close -1½ to 2½ Close - 12-25
feet feet
Far - 2½ to 4 ½ Far - 25 feet or
feet greater

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

4. When you invade my
space
Reactions to an
invasion of your
space
Feel troubled
Get defensive
Become
aggressive
Retaliate

5. Masks We Wear
Public Masks
Public smile
Clothing
Putting on my face
Extended territory
On the road
At work
Can we drop masks?

6. Jockeying for
position
Inclusive - Non-inclusive
How you include/exclude others in a
group
Parallel body positions
Will position yourselves to relate to each
other
Side by side are neutral
Facing means people are involved
Congruence-incongruence
Groups that imitate each other

7. 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?

8. Actions Speak Louder than Words?
‘What often happens in any relationship is that
language itself becomes a mask and a means of
clouding and confusing the relationship. If the
spoken language is stripped away and the only
communication left is body language, the truth
will find some way of poling through. Spoken
language itself is a great obscurer”
Body Language, Julius Fast, MJF books, 1970.
Language

9. Misinterpretation =
Trouble??
Lost business
Lack of animation = lack
of interest?
US tendency to get right
to business

10. Troubles
Conflict with
peers
• Different work styles
• Wrong assumptions

11. Trouble….
Misinterpretation
of signals
Can be BIG
trouble
Legal trouble
Do you know how
to act or are you
confused?

12. Do you know what you are
saying?