Body-Language-trp2.ppt

1 1 BODY SPEAKS:THE IMPORTANCE OF BODY LANGUAGE2005 NACADA National Conference2005 NACADA National ConferenceKris RugsakenKris RugsakenBall State universityBall State universityMuncie,IndianaMuncie,Indiana2 2How Does Body Speak?-Like any spoken language,body language has words,sentences and punctuation.3 3How Does Body Speak?Each gesture is like a single word and one word may have several different meanings.4 4BODILY SPEAKING35%of the social meanings by words.65%by the body(non-verbal channel).6 6How our Body Communicates7 7HEAD-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-Im available in USA bar-Rocking head slowly,back and forth-“yes,Im listening”in most Asian cultures8 8FACE10/24/200710/24/2007Cultural Semiotics 5Cultural Semiotics 59 9Facial expression1111FACE*Facial expressions reflect emotion,feelings and attitudes,but.*The Asians are sometimes known as -emotionless-mixed-up emotion1212EYES*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-Hi,good-looking in the USA*Winking eye-Sharing secret in America and Europe-flirtatious gesture in other countries1313EYES(Contd)*Closed eyes-bored or sleepy in America-“Im listening and concentrating.”in Japan,Thailand,ChinaWOW!10/24/200710/24/2007Cultural Semiotics 5Cultural Semiotics 51616Power face1717EARS*Ear grasp-“Im sorry.”in parts of India*Cupping the ear-“I cant hear you.”in all societies*Pulling ear-“You are in my heart”for Navajo Indians1818NOSE*Holding the nose-“Something smells bad.”universal*Nose tap-“Its confidential.”England-“Watch out!”or Be careful.”Italy1919NOSE*Pointing to nose-“Its me.”Japan*Blowing nose-In most Asian countries,blowing the nose at social gathering is disgusting.2020CHEEKS*Cheek screw-gesture of praise-Italy-“Thats crazy.”Germany-Cute kid in USA*Cheek stroke-“pretty,attractive,success”most Europe2121LIPS AND MOUTH*Whistle*Yawn*Smile*Bite*Point*Sneeze*Spit*Kiss.2222KISS*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,“Thats good!”“Thats great!”“Thats beautiful!.”2323LIPS AND MOUTH(Contd)(Contd)*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 persons waste and,therefore,is healthy.2424THE LIP POINTING*Lip pointing(a substitute for pointing with the hand or finger)is common among Filipinos,Native Americans,Puerto Ricans,and many Latin Americans.*Open mouth.Any display of the open mouth is considered very rude in most countries.2525ARMS*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-excluding self,“I am taking a defensive posture,”or“I disagree with what I am hearing.”2626ARMS(Contd)(Contd)*Arms akimbo.In many cultures,this stance signals aggression,resistance,impatience,or even anger.*Arms behind back,hands grasped is a sign of ease and control.*Arms in front,hands grasped,common practice in most Asian countries,is a sign of mutual respect for others.2727HANDS *Of all the body parts,the hands are probably used most for communicating non-verbally.*Hand waves are used for greetings,beckoning,or farewells.2828HANDS*The Italian“good-bye”wave can be interpreted by Americans as the gesture of“come here.”*The American“good-bye”wave can be interpreted in many parts of Europe and Latin America as the signal for“no.”2929HANDS(Contd)(Contd)*Beckoning.*The American 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 American“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.3030HANDS(Contd)(Contd)*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.3131HANDS*Hand-holding among the same sex is a custom of special friendship and respect in several Middle Eastern and Asian countries.3232HANDS(Contd)(Contd)*Right hand.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.*Left hand is considered unclean in much of the Middle East and in parts of Indonesia.3333HANDS(Contd)(Contd)*Hang loose.(thumb and little finger extended)*could convey different meanings:*in Hawaii,its a way of saying,“Stay cool,”or“Relax.”*in China,=8:in Japan,it means six*In Mexico(do vertically),it means,“Would you like a drink?”3434HANDS(Contd)(Contd)*Clapping hands.*Russians and Chinese may use applause to greet someone.*In many central and eastern Europe,audience frequently clap in rhythm.3535FINGERS*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 countries3636FINGERS(Contd)(Contd)*“Thumb-up”means:*“O.K.”“good job”or“fine”in most cultures,*“Up yours!”in Australia*“Five”in Japan;“One”in Germany*Avoid a thumb-up in these countries:Australia,New Zealand,Greece,Turkey,Iran,Russia,and most African countries.10/24/200710/24/2007Cultural Semiotics 5Cultural Semiotics 53737Thumbs up3838FINGERS(Contd)(Contd)*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.3939LEGS AND FEET*In Asia,do not point with your toes.*In Asia and some European countries,putting feet up on a desk or any other piece of furniture is very disrespectful.*Sitting cross-legged,while common in North America and some European countries,is very impolite in other parts of the world.4040LEGS AND FEET(Contd)(Contd)*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.4141WALKING*Walking can reflect many characteristics of a culture.For example,*In parts of Asia and some of the Middle Eastern countries,men who are friends may walk holding each others hand.4242WALKING*In Japan and Korea,older women commonly walk a pace or two behind male companion.*Asians often regard Western women as bold and aggressive,for they walk with a longer gait and a more upright posture.4343HOW PEOPLE OF VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD VIEW AMERICANS*Careless with dress,manners,and body movement*Generous as neighbors*Superficial,shallow and short-lasting friendship*Confident but demand almost too much of self*Ethnocentric-less interested in others*Independent-Individually feeling,not to“fit others mold.”Source:Tyler,V.Lynn.Intercultural Interacting.(1987)4444FOR ALL OF USWe can communicate better if we understand body language4545 We can understand what people are saying even when they are not talking.4747 We can share feelings too strong or too difficult for words,4848 Or understand messages passing silently from person to person,4949 And we might see the difference between what people say and what they really mean.5050Finally,we can learn to understand our own bodies how they show our feelings.5151 We do not have bodies;we are our bodies.5252THANKS!AND.*YOUR*thoughts*experiences*questions