Comments on: Whether you can talk or not: palms up means supplication

By: greenstrawberries

greenstrawberries — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:12:41 +0000

I’ve been told that when I speak in English I have my mother’s mannerisms and hand gestures, and when I speak in French I have my father’s. (my dad is French my mom is American) After someone pointed it out to me I took notice, and it’s true!

By: Becky

Becky — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:06:23 +0000

ellen degeneres gets the same thing. she’s always eating in the restaurant next door to my office and her “default” expression is a frown…my friend who works for her says she gets grief for it, but that’s just the way her face sets.

By: Tdave

Tdave — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:34:56 +0000

What sd said^, happens to me also.

By: sd

sd — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:04:12 +0000

what about facial expressions an non-verbal communication?
when i smile, it’s really big & cheesy & toothy. but i don’t want to walk around like Guy Smiley 100% of the time–i’m not a Muppet! consequently, though, when i’m just walking past people at work or something, i’m often being asked “what’s wrong?” or told to “smile!” additionally, in the past month a man at work has made two strange comments to me: “are you made at me?” & “don’t be worried” — out of nowhere. does my facial expression communicate in a way i’m unaware of? or are people just constantly trying to make conversation?

By: S.p

S.p — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:44:52 +0000

Is the reason I get no sex because I hold my pint by my waist? Blocking my cock chakras? Dang!

By: B.G.

B.G. — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:12:58 +0000

There’s an excellent book on body language called, “The definitive book of body language” by Allan and Barbara Pease. It has fascinating explanations for and pictures of many of our typical body language gestures. I started skimming through it first but then went back and realized I couldn’t put it down. Well worth reading. They are the same authors of “Why men don’t listen and women can’t read maps”.

By: EV

EV — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:03:31 +0000

I’ve had people comment on my body language before. Mainly because every time I talk, I windmill both of my arms as fast as I can until I’m done talking. Then I say “wheeeeee” and clap my hands in front of me and bow my head.

I think people read too much into this stuff.

By: b.n.

b.n. — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:48:20 +0000

I took a Non-Verbal Communication class in college, and was fascinated. It’s one of the bits of learning I actually use in my real life. To this day, I always try to be conscious of how my body language supports (or contradicts) my verbal communication with others. When you start being aware of it, it’s amazing. One example: crossing your arms in front of your chest means you’re closing yourself off to the other person’s message. Another: when you cross your legs, if you’re pointing them toward the other person, it signals openness, pointing away shuts them out.

By: Dusty

Dusty — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:58:14 +0000

I too have to use my hands to talk although not as much as most people. I have been critiqued for body language on several occasions for keeping my arms folded over my chest. It’s not that I’m mad or being defensive, it’s just more comfortable for me. Of course, I can see the mad inference, I’m a stocky guy with a shaved head and goatee.

By: fixedgear

fixedgear — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:03:57 +0000

I’m Italian-American and a bicycle rider, so obviously I can’t tell a story without wild gestures. “We were bombing down this hill…” = fingerns together, palm held flat and paralell to the floor, “and then we went around this sharp turn…” as I poke listeners eye out.