National Body Language Day
By Sharon Schweitzer
Body language is a form of communication in which physical behaviors instead of words, are used to express information. This includes facial expressions, postures, gestures, eye movements, touch, and the use of space. Body language is all about nonverbal communication, which is far more effective than verbal communication.
Many a time, body language can become the preferred method of communication, particularly when there are language barriers or when you have to communicate with people who are either disabled or face issues with verbal communication.
In 1872, Charles Darwin detailed his observations of nonverbal behavior in his book, “The Expression Of Emotion In Man and Animals.” He noticed both people and humans use body language to communicate.
Long before Charles Darwin, primitive people relied on body language – hand motions and gestures, facial expressions, and paralanguage (grunts and sounds) to communicate their needs, wants, and concerns. Depending on the signals, trust or distrust was developed based on body language signs.
International body language expert Blanca Cobb, founder of TruthBlazer LLC, is the reason we celebrate National Body Language Day. It is a known fact that body language fascinates people, and we want to learn how to read and use it to understand one another better. Cobb has been working in the field since 2010 and has analyzed the body language of celebrities; offered her services in legal cases, dating and relationship studies; and offered incredible insights regarding networking. She stressed the importance of making body language day a national holiday to highlight the importance of nonverbal communication and help people better understand it.
Couples use body language as a silent communication to express their emotions for their partner.
Parents use body language with their infants and young children until they can speak. Using facial expressions, gestures, movements, and speech sounds, babies communicate their wants and needs. In the same way, they also read their parents’ emotions to know when they’re happy, sad, mad.
Many people use body language to read other people so they can understand what they’re feeling. People who suffer strokes or have partial paralysis and other medical conditions where speech is difficult, use body language to communicate. They use eye movements such as blinking or looking at an object to communicate needs and wants.
Here are some interesting facts about body language:
- Only 7% of communication is verbal, while 38% is attributed to tone of voice and 55% to body language, highlighting the significance of non-verbal cues.
- Non-verbal communication is 65%-93% more influential than text, emphasizing its impact in conveying messages.
- The seven primary elements of body language include body movement, posture, facial expressions, space/distance, touch, voice, gestures, and eye contact.
- Non-verbal communication cues significantly influence the perception and processing of a message.
- Body language helps qualify a message, convey emotions and intentions, and regulate the flow of messages and feedback.
- Slight changes in nonverbal cues can immediately change the atmosphere and the audience’s engagement in a presentation.
- Negotiators who can’t see each other’s gestures and facial expressions find it difficult to read each other’s tone and build rapport.
Photo by https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/body-language
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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