Body Language

Territory
Intimate
Touching 6-18

Social
Close 4-7 feet Far - 7-12 feet

Personal
Close -1 to 2 feet Far - 2 to 4 feet

Public
Close - 12-25 feet Far - 25 feet or greater

Different Cultures ...

A crowded culture

What is your private space?

When you invade my space

Reactions to an invasion of your space
Feel troubled Get defensive Become aggressive Retaliate

Masks We Wear
Public Masks Public smile Clothing Putting on my face

Extended territory
On the road At work

Can we drop masks?

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

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?

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.

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

Troubles
Conflict with peers

Different work styles

Wrong assumptions

Trouble.
Misinterpretation

of signals

Can be BIG trouble Legal trouble Do you know how to act or are you confused?

Do you know what you are saying?