1. Nonverbal Communication

2. Nonverbal Communication:
Facial expressions or body movements used to express attitudes or moods about a person, situation, or idea.
Accounts for 70 –80 % of all communication
Is more powerful than verbal communication

3. Body Language is important because:
1) People remember more of
what they see than of what
they hear, and

4. 2) It helps to recognize the truth.
- If words and body language are
consistent,we believe the person.
- If they send different messages, we
believe the body language and doubt
the words.

5. Amazing Facts of Body Language
It’s estimated that humans produce up to 700,000 different physical signs!
The face alone is capable of 250,000 different expressions
Researchers have identified over 5,000 hand gestures and over 1,000 different postures

6. Positive Body Language

7. Relaxed Posture Sit comfortably and breathe in a calm manner
Avoid abrupt movements

8. Arms Relaxed
Uncross arms and hold hands palms up as a sign of openness

9. Good Eye Contact
Look the person directly in the eye, especially when he/she is speaking
Look away occasionally to avoid staring

10. Nod Agreement
Slightly nod when a person says something you agree with, but don’t overdo it
Continuous head bobbing usually means the person has tuned out

11. Smile
Signals a warm, personal relationship

12. Lean Closer
Reducing the distance between you and a partner indicates that interest is up and barriers are down.

13. Use Gestures
Talking with your hands indicates involvement in the conversation

14. For all these positive gestures, moderation is the key.
If they are exaggerated, they can become more negative than positive

15. Negative Body Language

16. Key Difference:
Positive gestures are primarily distal-(directed toward others)
Negative gestures are primarily proximal- (directed toward your own body)

17. Body Tension
A wrinkled eyebrow, jerky body motions, or hands clasped in front all indicate discomfort

18. Arms Folded
This creates a barrier and indicates resistance

19. Speaking Hand to Mouth
Putting hands near your mouth or scratching your cheek or eyebrow suggest that you’re not sure of what you’re saying

20. Fidgeting
Moving around a lot, playing with things, or drumming with your fingers sends signs of boredom, nervousness, or impatience.

21. Yawning
Often happens if the other person is talking too much or is using too many technical details

22. Although it is practiced everywhere, body language is not a universal language.
Symbols or gestures may have similar or totally opposite meanings in different cultures

23. For Example:
The famous “Hook ‘em Horns” sign, made by fans of UT, has several meanings.
In Texas, of course, it means support for the team.
In Italy it is an insult
In Brazil it means good luck
Among Hindus it means “cow”

24. “America is the melting pot of the world.”

25. Introducing Nonverbal Customs of the World
Right, Wrong, or Rude?
Introducing Nonverbal Customs of the World

26. Handshake Americans view a strong grip as a sign of power and strength
Southeast Asians press hands together
Middle Easterners & many Asians favor a gentle grip
Japanese bow

27. Direct Eye Contact Americans expect direct eye contact
Many Asians, Puerto Ricans, West Indies, Africans, and Native Americans consider it rude or disrespectful and may often send suggestive messages.

28. Waving Americans – Hello Europeans – “No” to most
Europeans raise their arms and move the hand up and down at the wrist

29. Beckoning
Europeans and Asians – raise the arm, palm facing down, and make a scratching motion with the fingers
Australia and Indonesia – curling the index finger is used for beckoning animals.

30. “V” Sign America – Victory or peace
England – Palm facing inward toward the face is an obscene gesture
America
England

31. “O.K.” Gesture France – Zero Japan – Money or coins
Brazil, Germany, and the former USSR – obscene gesture

32. Thumbs Up America – Good job, approval, or hitchhiking
Nigeria – Rude gesture
Australia – Rude if pumped up and down
Germany and Japan – signal for “one”

33. Crazy Gesture America – crazy or insane
Argentina – you have a phone call

34. The only universal gesture is the….
SMILE

35. How to tell if someone is lying….

36. Decreased hand activity
Unconsciously when you are not being truthful, you may sense that your hands will give you away, so you suppress them – hide them, sit on them, stuff them into pockets, or clasp them together.

37. Increased face touching
Hand to face favorites of not-so-truthful people are: the chin stroke, the lip press, the mouth cover, the nose touch, the cheek rub, the eyebrow scratch, the earlobe pull, and the hair groom.

38. Stiff and rigid posture
In general, people move less when they’re lying; their movements become less fluid.

39. Increased body shifting
Think of squirming children being interrogated by their parents

40. Eye Contact
People who are lying or creating tend to look to the left.

41. Personal Space Intimate Space Up to 18 inches Family & close friends
Violating this space causes friction
Personal Space
18 inches – 4 ft
Most conversations with acquaintances

42. Social Space
4 ft – 12 ft
Most business communication
EX. Interviews and meetings
Public Space
12 ft and beyond
Public speeches and oral readings
Audience is usually strangers

43. Personal Space Social Public Personal Intimate You 0 in. 18 in. 4 ft.