3.2.1 Intercultural Communication – Non Verbal: Body Language, Basic Level
Module 3: Intercultural Communication – Non Verbal
3.2.1 Body Language
(Basic Level)
Explanation
Body language is the way a person communicates with their body.
Movements of the body are used to express a person’s thoughts or feelings.
The use of body language changes in each culture and it is important to have an understanding of the body language used in the country you are living to communicate successfully and avoid confusion.
In this section we are going to concentrate on body language used in Ireland.
In this module we are going to discuss and explore what the movements of your eyes, head, and hands can communicate, what body language to use or not use in a job interview and the practice of mirroring.
Eyes
It is normal to make eye contact in Ireland in all situations – including with authority figures and between members of the opposite sex.
Eye contact suggests confidence and honesty.
In many cultures it is a sign of respect to drop your eyes/look down; however, in Ireland this does not make a positive impression and seems like the person is lacking confidence.
Head and face
· Head nodding –
Nodding your head is a way of showing agreement with what another person is saying. It also demonstrates that you are listening.
· Holding your head up –
Holding your head up demonstrates confidence and that you are listening carefully to what is being said.
· Smiling –
In Ireland one of the most positive gestures you can make is to smile. Even if you are unsure about other body language issues a smile communicates friendliness and openness.
Hand Gestures
Activity 1
· Hand out the worksheet for Activity 1 to the students.
· Ask them to work in small groups and discuss each of the photos, what the hand gesture means and in what context they are used.
· When they have finished, discuss as a whole group what they have come up with and read through the following explanations
Picture 1: Ok Sign
Formed by making a circle with your thumb and index-finger while the other fingers are outstretched – means ‘things are good’
Picture 2: Thumbs down
Formed by sticking your thumb downwards while keeping all other fingers tucked in – signifies a failure/mistake made.
Picture 3: Finger pointing
Pointing your finger is often used to show someone where something/someone is located.
However pointing a finger directly at someone in front of you is a confrontational/aggressive gesture. It is not generally acceptable in Irish culture.
Picture 4: Ear tugging
Ear tugging often indicates someone is undecided about something.
Picture 5: Finger wagging
Shaking your finger from side to side conveys a warning, ‘Stop doing that’, a refusal or a means of saying ‘no you’re mistaken’.
Picture 6: Thumbs up
Formed by sticking up your thumb while keeping all other fingers tucked in – signifies a job well done.
Picture 7: Giving someone the finger
Formed by sticking up your middle finger while keeping all other fingers down – is an offensive gesture, used to insult someone.
Picture 8: Peace Sign
Formed by sticking your index and middle fingers up (in the shape of a V) while keeping your other fingers tucked in
With palm facing outwards: represents peace or is often used as a pose for a photo
Note: if the palm is facing inwards it is an offensive gesture, used to insult someone
· Ask the students if these Hand gestures mean anything different in the cultures they have come from or do they mean the same?
· Hand out the ‘Irish Etiquette Explained’ sheet to read and discuss together
Interview Body Language
One situation where a lot of value is placed on body language is in the interview room. Your body language will play an important role in forming the interviewer’s first impression of you.
How you present yourself is equally important to what you say in an interview so it is essential to spend some time perfecting your body language beforehand.
Activity 2 Interview body language
· Hand out the worksheet for Activity 2 to the students
· Ask the students to look at the photos and choose the photo where the interviewee is using the best body language for an interview and then look through the other photos and identify what mistakes the interviewee is making.
· Go through the suggestions below with the students
Photo 1: Shaking hands but looking down
Answer: shake the interviewers hand firmly while maintaining eye contact.
Photo 2: Interviewee smiling, hands not in the picture
Answer: It is better to keep your hands in view on the arms of your chair or the desk to demonstrate openness and confidence.
Never place your hands in your pockets and it can seem as if you are uninterested/bored.
Photo 3: Interviewee slouching in the chair with arms crossed
Answer: Sit up straight and lean slightly forward in your chair to demonstrate interest and engagement.
Don’t cross your arms, place one arm across your body or hide your hands as this gives the impression that you feel nervous. It looks as though you are creating a protective barrier around yourself with your arms.
Photo 4: Interviewee has handbag on their lap and placing hair behind their ear
Answer: Find an appropriate place to set down your belongings. Do not put your handbag, briefcase or newspaper on your lap as it looks as though you are creating a protective barrier between yourself and the interviewer and gives the impression of being nervous
Avoid touching your face and hair or any fidgeting movement in general which the interviewer will read as a sign of stress and distraction.
Photo 5: Interviewee sitting up straight and gesturing with their hands as they talk
Answer: This is the perfect interview body language. The person is sitting up straight, leaning in and engaging. They are making eye contact and showing enthusiasm by using hand gestures, which comes across as the interviewee being confident, open and honest.
Photo 6: Interviewee glancing down at phone/watch
Do not check your watch or phone in an interview as it looks as though you are not interested and impatient to leave.
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· Hand out the ‘Interview body language rules’ sheet for the students to read and keep
Mirroring
Mirroring is when you mirror or reflect the body language of the person you are with. It is usually done unconsciously but it is a useful exercise to do when learning body language in a new culture.
Examples of mirroring would include: one person crosses their legs and so does the other person, smiling back at the person who has smiled at you, leaning forward towards a person who has leant in to speak to you.
Mirroring body language can:
- Create a feeling of connection and trust between you and the person you are with as it develops a feeling that you might have things in common, similar views and get along.
On the other hand if the body language between two people is very different it can make the conversation feel uncomfortable and create feelings of unease.
Activity 3 Mirroring
· Ask the students to pair off. Explain to them that they are going to practice mirroring, to become accustomed to observing the details of body language.
· One person in each pair must take the lead and move/make hand gestures/facial expressions as they wish. The other person must try to copy them.
· After two minutes get them to switch roles with the other person taking the lead.
· Once they have both had a go at leading, the next step is to mirror each other without a set leader.
· Ask the students for feedback, did they find the exercise easy/hard? Encourage the students to practice mirroring in their everyday life to become comfortable and natural with it.
Suggested Activities
· Suggest to the students that they watch an Irish television programme with the sound turned off to see if they can understand what is happening from the body language.
Activity 1 Hand Gestures
Picture 1 Picture 2
Picture 3 Picture 4
Picture 5 Picture 6
Picture 7 Picture 8
Irish Etiquette Explained!
- Greetings
When meeting someone the usual greeting is to shake hands while making eye contact.
A firm short hand shake works best and it is repeated when saying goodbye.
Once you know someone well, a kiss on the cheek or hug is appropriate.
First names are generally used even if you do not know the person well.
- Eye contact
Eye contact is very important when greeting and talking with people – including with authority figures and between members of the opposite sex.
Eye contact suggests confidence, attentiveness and honesty.
- Small Talk
(Small talk is informal/friendly talk about unimportant topics)
Small talk is an expected part of most normal interactions and is considered to demonstrate friendliness and openness.
Small talk often begins with a chat about the weather!
- Touching
Apart from greetings/farewells, Irish people do not tend to touch each other often unless in an intimate situation.
- Smiling
A smile makes a very positive impression in Ireland. A smile communicates friendliness which is considered very important.
If you are ever feeling unsure of a situation/need to ask for help a smile is usually responded to well!
Activity 2 Interview Body Language
Picture 1 Picture 2
Picture 3 Picture 4
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Picture 5 Picture 6
Interview body language rules
Do
ü Shake the interviewer’s hand firmly and make eye contact.
ü Find somewhere to put your belongings.
ü Sit up straight, and lean slightly forward in your chair.
ü Place your hands on the desk in front of you and use hand gestures.
ü Smile and nod to show interest and attentiveness.
Do not
X Fidget
(To fidget = to make a lot of small movements because you are nervous, stressed or lack focus)
Fidgeting includes:
- Biting your lip
- Rubbing the back of your head or neck
- Shaking your foot
- Drumming your fingers
- Rubbing your eyes
- Scratching your nose
X Cross your arms over your body which indicates a lack of confidence.
Practice appropriate job interview body language in the mirror or in front of friends and family before an interview to gain confidence.
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