What Did You Say?
Most people have plenty to say, and therefore talk a lot. And there are those who talk, and talk, and talk some more (but that’s a whole other issue). However, it’s one’s nonverbal communication that often speaks volumes. Things like facial expressions and body language often reveal much in a conversation.
For example, you may be speaking to someone about a boring, nonsensical subject, and they start blinking excessively. What are they saying to you in a very subliminal way? They’re saying they have something in their eye, silly. That’s rather easy to discern.
Let’s say you are being the perfect gentleman, having a conversation with a nice lady, and she suddenly kicks you in the groin or slaps you in the face. Obviously, she is having an involuntary muscle spasm. The fact that it follows a particularly nasty and disgusting remark you made is merely a coincidence.
If you are confronted by a scowling face in the midst of exchanging remarks, it must be that the other person is trying politely to hold in a rather gaseous explosion. This is completely unrelated to anything you’ve said.
On the other hand, if you’re sitting next to someone, having a nice chat, and they kind of lean over onto one cheek, they are typically giving you a special gift to engage you olfactory nerve. They are doing you a favor, so you should look at it as a way of testing your smelling senses.
What if the other party in your discussion is giggling hysterically? Clearly, they are sitting on something that is tickling their fancy, so to speak. It has nothing to do with the fact that not only is your fly open, but your goodies are hanging out.
Some people take great offense if the other party spits them in the face. You shouldn’t. This is simply their effort to share the remnants of their lunch with you. It’s best to say thank you in this situation. After all, there is nothing better than having leftovers, right?
What if you are deeply engaged in a spirited conversation, and the other person keeps tapping your arm or shoulder? That usually means that you have an excessive amount of dust on your clothes, which they are trying to remove. See, they are trying to be helpful, as no one wants to stand around being dusty.
Now, what happens if someone raises their fist at you and speaks rather loudly? That’s just a suggestion to get some exercise right away, so run like hell. Trust me, you don’t want to hang around to be sure.
See, it’s not so hard to read body language and understand these messages. Yet, another reason to pay attention during a conversation.
Tagged as: Nonverbal Communication