Did you know that what you say only accounts for seven percent of what people “hear?”
In fact, ninety-three percent of what you communicate is interpreted by others by your gestures, facial expressions, tone and body movements. Now, if you’re Italian like I am, you can reduce the seven percent to two percent!
Hey – the only reason I even write for a living is because it’s just another way to talk with my hands!
On Monday night, History Channel has a fascinating documentary about all this gesturing and posturing called, “Secrets of Body Language,” which details not just the signs and signals of everyday people like you and me, but also the secret meanings behind the gestures of world leaders. They prove what we already know: Leaders say one thing and mean something else altogether.
“Secrets of Body Language,” is like taking an instant language course in a language you will realize you know very little about.
Like? Like what’s really behind “the Hillary point.” I’m talking about that pointing thing she does every time she comes out to speak as though she’s got pals in the audience. Right. It’s just as you suspected but couldn’t put your own non-pointing finger upon.
Then there’s hubby Bill. Why was he always so warm-seeming while Hillary comes across as a polar cap?
What about the two presidential candidates now? What are they really saying when they are saying that they can save our sinking economy? What about the war? Taxes? Health care?
They also show why Obama always sounds compelling – even if he’s talking about working out, while McCain sounds like he’s a regular guy who just isn’t going to wow you with words.
“Secrets of Body Language” even has an absolutely riveting body language primer on world leaders! You will be astounded by what was really behind the friendly-seeming encounter when President Bush and Premier Putin were each trying to get the other to enter a door first. Then there was the just-good-pals shoving match between Yasser Arafat, Bill Clinton and Ehud Barak.
But what about us regular Joes? The filmmakers send a couple of potential car buyers out to test drive two salesman. One is rated very trustworthy and the other not at all – because of their body language.
The good news is you’ll learn a lot about how gestures and “tells” – those minute facial giveaways – say more than words, and you’ll have fun doing it. The bad news is that you may realize that everyone actually hates you. Damn! I hate when that happens.