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The Importance and Meaning of Body Language

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The Importance and Meaning of Body Language
Customer Relations and Servicing - 4
Week 4
Julie Roberts
Instructor: Hal Kingsley
Monday, April 30, 2012

“Body language is just one element of nonverbal communication while other elements include voice tone, the environment, touch, and appearance.”(Thompson, 2012)

Introduction Definition of “Body Language”: “Non-verbal communication cues that send powerful messages though gestures, vocal qualities, manner of dress, grooming, and many other cues.”
The importance of body language is in part because we as humans need each other. We are social beings. In other words “We need people”. Body language is a language without spoken words and is therefore called non verbal communication. We use body language all the time, for instance looking someone in the eyes means something different than not looking someone in the eyes. Body language is usually occurs unconsciously, yet the body language we use can decide to a large extent the quality of our communication. However we can learn to control and read our body language and use it for a purpose. Body language is interlinked with spoken language and a whole pattern of behavior from a person. Example: The way a person’s facial expressions are given, excited (eyes lit up and a huge smile), boredom (a frown, listlessness, and posture) and the list goes on. Being aware of your expressions is a key to having positive body language.
Body language is not only through the use of jesters with the body, but also includes the way a person presents himself/herself in dress, hygiene, and vocal qualities. Other people pick up on things through smell, if you smell unkempt, your hair is uncombed, you clothing is unwashed and wrinkled, that puts off an “I don’t care vibe”. How you say something, is it coming off wrong? The tone in your voice has a great deal to do with how things are

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