2. What is Body Language?
A part of non verbal language
Includes things such as stance, facial
expressions, head nodding and gestures
70% of what we communicate may be
non verbal
Body language is specific to a culture
4. How is British body language?
Proximity: British people require lots of „privatespace‟ and they often stand much further
away from each other than other nationalities,
whilst talking to them
Handshakes: a quick
handshake is the normal
Touching: not frequent and unusual. Never
touch a person‟s head, it may be religiously
offensive.
firm
„one-pump‟
5. Why so reserved?
This has not always been the case.
16th Century whole time kissing each other.
18th Century “sentimental”
Stiff upper lip emerging out of the French Revolution and
Napoleonic wars.
1960’s stiff upper lip old-fashioned.
Death of Diana reserved, decorum and restrain notions
were to be abandoned.
But, is still present.
6. Think about it:
Is there a common body language?
•
Maybe gestures?
•
Perhaps facial expressions?
•
What about posture?
7. Universal Facial Expressions
Theory
Become a scientific hypothesis by
Darwin – The Expression of emotions on
Man and Annimals
Evolutionary heritage
Innate expressions and universal
Happiness, sadness,
surprise, and disgust
anger,
fear,
(Ekman P., 2006)
8. Facial Expressions Might not be
Universal
Computational analyses
Eastern: “culture-specific de-coding
strategy” – Can‟t read „„fear‟‟ and
„„disgust.‟‟
Eastern observers persistently stare the
eye region.
(Jack, R. E. at al, 2009)
10. Social versus Professional
Social: no expected behavior
be yourself
people surround you identify themselves
Professional : rules
expected behavior
known subjects
present/speak/learn
international differences
