It is said that body languages are the quiet，secret and most powerful languages because，according to some studies，your words count for only 7％ of the messages you want to convey．55％ of the communication between people is based on what people see from others and 38％ of the communication is transmitted through one’s tone of voice．Though in some cases，people from different countries may interpret body languages differently，welcoming and friendly qualities do flow out naturally and unconsciously if one holds them in one’s heart．

Here are some interpretations of body languages that researchers have found partially correct．Do you agree？

—If people stand up and keep their feet shoulder length apart，they are welcoming you sincerely．

—If people only turn around at the hips to say hello，they are probably very busy or in a bad mood．

—If a person’s feet go from being together to being spread apart，it could be a sign that he is unhappy．

—When teenagers sit splayed out on a chair or bench，it might mean they want to dominate the territory and show disrespect or indifference to those in authority．

—In business situations，if someone takes large steps，he is likely very confident about what is being discussed．

—If you want to establish a closer relationship with someone you are talking to，touch him／her on the one arm once or twice （just be careful that your touch is welcome）．

Exercises

1．Try to express the following with only body languages to your partner．

2．You and your partner are given some time to create a short body－language story．Show the story to your classmates and let them guess what the story is about．If they guess wrong，explain what has actually happened in the story． hluZPY3NCxbzr6dqC4FKNDKStlfCoV9PJonzgvSC3uSusfa0pIrUrxf09XdfIt4M