Body Language Content WHAT IS BODY LANGUAGE UNDERSTANDING

Body Language

Content ØWHAT IS BODY LANGUAGE? UNDERSTANDING BODY LANGUAGE EFFECTIVE USE OF BODY LANGUAGE THE IMPORTANCE OF BODY LANGUAGE ØSOME INFORMATION ABOUT SINGAPORE ØBODY LANGUAGE IN SINGAPORE

What is Body Language?

What is Body Language? Language • Body language is a form of mental and physical ability of human non-verbal communication. • It consist of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. • Humans send and interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously. • We frequently communicate both bodily and verbally and an estimated 70% of what we communicate may be nonverbal.

• Nonverbal language is an even bigger category, which includes things like tone of voice. • Body language may provide clues as to the attitude or state of mind of a person • For example, it may indicate aggression, attentiveness, boredom, relaxed state, pleasure and amusement.

Understanding Body Language The technique of "reading" people is used frequently. For example, the idea of mirroring body language to put people at ease is commonly used during interview situations. Body language can show feelings to other people, which works in return for other people. People who show their body language to you can reveal their feelings and meanings.

Effective Use of Body language Mind the body talk Be careful with the handshake Establish good Eye contact Communicate at the level of the person before you We must be ourselves Graceful Movements and Confident posture improve the atmosphere at the workplace

The importance of body language • Anybody remember when George H W Bush tried to signal ‘peace’ during a visit to Australia in the 90 s by giving a huge crowd the time -honored two-fingered salute? Though he didn’t know it at the time, he was actually telling the whole crowd to go screw themselves - and all because he made the seemingly innocuous error that his palm was facing inwards instead of outwards.

The Importance of Body Language • Psychologists believe non-verbal communication reveals more than the words we speak. • The ability to understand the body language helps in our connections to others and enables us to make the communication more effective.

The Importance of Body Language Body language can play five roles. 1. It can affirm and testify what we are saying. 2. It can communicate a contradiction. 3. Body language is very effective substitution to verbal communication. Our eyes can communicate a lot. 4. Body language can further enhance the impact of verbal communication. In case, tapping the back of a person in addition to verbal acclamation can work wonder. 5. It is an important tool for accenting a message. For example, pounding the table during verbal communication can accent the message.

The Importance of Body Language • In a relationship, body language is hugely important. Understanding the body language enable to understand the feeling and emotions of the other. A body language matching with verbal language raises the trust level. • We should improve our eye contact, facial expression, voice tone, posture and gesture, touch, sound, tone and intensity and you will find a dramatic improvement in your social and personal relationships. •

SINGAPORE

Singapore Flag Meaning The red represents universal brotherhood and equality of man and the white stands for purity and virtue. The crescent moon, symbolizes the young nation of Singapore on the rise and the five stars represent the country's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.

GEOGRAPHY Consists of 63 islands 23% of land is natural forests and Nature preserves North of equator

POPULATION • 5. 3 million people in 2012 – 3. 64 million of them were citizens and permanent residents • Second most densely populated independent country

LANDMARKS Raffles Hotel New Parliament House Sultan Mosque A view of the Causeway The National Theatre St. Andrews Cathedral

CULTURE • Mixture of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European immigrants • 4 official languages – English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil • Generally allows religious freedom – Muslim, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism – Jehovah's Witness is banned due to opposition of National Service

Body Language in Singapore

Greetings and Introductions Singaporeans generally shake their hands when they are first introduced to a person. Men and women usually greet each other with handshake. When making introductions for the first time and in formal meetings you should always use the person's title and family or personal name.

Greetings and Introductions Greeting customs vary according to age, ethnicity, and situation. Malays greet with the salaam: two people bring right palms together, as if to shake hands, and then slide them apart; each person then touches the palm to his or heart.

Greetings and Introductions Handshaking is the most common form of greeting in Singapore, although this may depends on the ethnic origin of the person you are greeting. For instance, Muslim (Malay) men will shake hands, but women may not. The traditional greeting of Salaam, placing the right hand over the heart, is more common.

Greetings and Introductions Ethnic male and female Chinese and Indians will also shake hands, but Chinese will shake hands with the opposite sex, whereas ethnic Indians will not. It is best to see if a female will offer hand first. If you are really unsure of what to do, a simple bow will suffice.

Greetings and Introductions Singaporeans show great respect for elders. Similar to most of the Asian cultures, it is very important for you to establish your credibility. If possible you can have someone in your home/office at Singapore to introduce so that your credentials could be emphasized.

Greetings and Introductions Never touch, hug or kiss a person of the opposite sex at a business meeting. Unlike in the West, this could be misinterpreted! Mostly the written salutations are in the western style like "Dear Mr. Robin".

Greetings and Introductions Due to the ethnic and religious diversity of Singapore, using the correct name and titles can become complex. The best course of action is to allow your counterpart to introduce him or herself, and if it is still not clear you can politely ask how they should be addressed.

• • Singaporeans may bow slightly as they shake your hand. Many Westerners are generally taller than Singaporeans, so it would be polite to give a small bow. A slight bow for Chinese or older people is polite.

Eye Contact • You should not get offended if a Singaporean does not look into your eyes in a meeting. The eyes are cast down or away as a sign of respect and politeness especially if you are a senior or have a higher status.

Rude gestures in Singapore Point somebody with index finger Public Affection Showing bottom of feet Tap forehead with index finger

Acceptable gestures in Singapore Bowing Handshake Sitting with legs crossed Wait for woman to extend hand first Shake hands with everyone present (including children)

Unacceptable gestures in Singapore Smile Maintain eye contact Firm handshake Touching others

Posture Care should be taken while crossing legs: the sole of the foot should never be pointed out or inadvertently shown to other people.

Posture • When you are standing and talking to someone, do not put your hands on your hips since this signifies anger.

Touching In general, Singaporeans are not demonstrative about touching members of the opposite sex. It is virtually unheard of to hug or even put an arm around someone in the workplace.

Touching It is socially acceptable, however, for men to walk arm in arm on the street and for girls to hold hands.

Gestures

Head • Head should not be touched in the Singaporean culture as it is believed that head is the home of the soul.

Feet • The foot is considered the lowest part of the body. • Feet are considered to be dirty for touching any object. • The foot should never be used to point at someone

Finger • A finger to the forehead means crazy in Singapore

Finger • The raised middle finger is an obscene sign in Singapore. It is considered the ultimate insult to a person. It can lead to fights and trouble.

Thumbs Up • A rude and offensive gesture

Thumbs Down It is the indication of something that is bad or something that you dont approve of. It also indicates that something or someone has failed. Thumbs down sign is not used as often as the tumbs up sign.

Stop Hand Gesture • It would mean that one is trying to 'hail' someone's attention like a waiter or asking for permission to speak.

Hand gestures • What are Hand Gestures? Hand gestures are a way of communicating with others and conveying your feelings. These gestures are most helpful when one is speaking to someone with no language in common. The meanings of hand gestures in different cultures may translate into different things.

The Dog Call • • It is indication of death.

Clenched Fist • A clenched fist will surely land you into a fist fight.

Rasing Hand • Raise your hand to get someone's attention.

• Hitting your fist into your other cupped hand; this is an obscene gesture.

• Waving a forefinger to get someone’s attention. X • Beckon someone by extending your hand, palm down, and fluttering your fingers.

• Cover your mouth with your hand when you yawn.

• It is considered rude to blow your nose or clear your throat in public.

• Since most Malays are Muslims, be aware of specific behaviors that would offend them. For instance, only use your right hand to shake hands or hand things to people, since the left hand is considered unclean.