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  4. Cultural Body Language

Cultural Body Language

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  • Body Language When Communicating With Peers

    Body language is very important, especially when you're communicating with your peers. Find out about body language and how important it is when communicating with peers with help from a psychologist, physical therapist and group fitness instructor in this free video clip.

  • Drama Techniques & Body Language

    Working on your body language is the key to becoming a successful actor. Find out about drama techniques and body language with help from a professional actress and performer in this free video clip.

  • Body Language & Attitude

    Body language and attitude play an important role in our daily lives, even if we don't immediately realize it. Find out about body language and attitude with help from a licensed marriage and family therapist in this free video clip.

  • Salary for a Body Language Expert

    Body language experts inhabit a very narrow occupational category in our country, but their expertise in nonverbal communication is sought by professionals in many different industries. Many body language experts are self-employed; as a result, these professionals constantly try to improve their professional profile through publication and seminars. Many other professionals, such as detectives or language interpreters, must also possess a detailed knowledge of body language to perform their daily work.

  • How to Not Give the Wrong Signals Through Body Language

    Communication is made up of more than just words. Body language is a significant part of the message you convey -- sometimes even the biggest part. It can be easy to mistakenly send the wrong message with body language. This can be due to ignorance of the way certain signals or gestures are perceived or simply a lack of self awareness. Fortunately, learning about body language signals can help you understand how to send the right signals.

  • Seven Ways to Spot Liars by Their Body Language

    It can be easy to tell if someone you've known for a long time is lying to you. There are certain cues that you unconsciously know to look for when you suspect he's not telling the truth. For people you are less familiar with, however, it might not be as easy to spot a lie. Learning common body language that indicates lying can be helpful when you encounter these people.

  • How the Police Use Body Language to Detect Lying

    Ironically, the majority of communication occurs non-verbally. This is why law enforcement personnel are trained extensively in how to detect when suspects are lying by using the suspect's body language to provide the answer. While a suspect might demonstrate body language that is associated with lying, it is important for police officers to look at the totality of the suspect's behavior, and not just isolated body language movements, because it is normal for people to be stressed and nervous when questioned by the police.

  • How Romans Wore Togas

    Roman togas were items of clothing usually worn over tunics that denoted various ranks of free Roman citizens. Togas were usually made of wool and could span between 8 and 9 feet long and were approximately 8 feet wide. They were cumbersome and difficult to keep on, but were considered an important part of Roman dress. It was a disgrace for a free Roman citizen of note to be caught in public without one.

  • Historical Background of Probation

    The U.S. criminal justice system is supervising approximately 5 million people as of 2011. About 1.6 million of these men and women are incarcerated in federal, state or local institutions while the remainder are on probation or parole. Parole is the early release of prisoners who exhibited good behavior. Probation, on the other hand, is considered an alternative to incarceration. Offenders must live under court-imposed conditions for a specified period. Probation hasn't always been an option for offenders. It was developed by individuals who believed that many criminals could be rehabilitated within society rather than behind bars.

  • What Are the Causes of Islamic Diffusion?

    The religion of Islam has existed for centuries, with significant spread across much of the known ancient world in the space of three hundred years. The most rapid spread occurred within just 50 years of the beginning of Islam. Much of this spread was due to what is called diffusion, which happened either by conversion or by force. The causes, however, tend to be somewhat varied given that the process occurred over many years.

  • Stages of Cultural Diffusion

    Cultures, no matter how unique, do not develop in complete isolation from outside influences. Throughout history the influential trinity of war, trade and migration have been contributing factors in the evolution of cultural life in any given country or region. Anthropologists call this perpetual and limitless process cultural diffusion. The process has positive and negative consequences and can be defined by three separate and distinct stages.

  • What Were the Seven Ancient Civilizations?

    The Ancient culture featured seven empires and societies that set a precedent for a plethora of modern-day advancements and foundations in culture, politics, technology and art. Dating from approximately 3,000 B.C. through the 5th century A.D., the Ancient world spanned many centuries and starred different leaders and empires throughout.

  • Description of a Traditional Politician

    While their viewpoints may vary, many politicians share some common ground. They see their jobs as an opportunity to serve the public and promote a vision of what their city, state or nation ought to be. These similarities can be seen in the way they serve and campaign for their respective positions. From affiliation to everyday activities, the traditional politician tends to loosely follow certain parameters.

  • Advantages & Disadvantages of Cultural Diffusion

    Cultural diffusion refers to the "spread of cultural characteristics from one group to another" (Glen Hoffarth, Blackhawk Technical College). Diffusion can consist of material culture, like cars or computers, and non-material culture, like beliefs or traditions. When cultural diffusion occurs, it can bring many benefits to a society but it can also present problems and obstacles.

  • What Were the Ancient Fertile Crescent Civilizations?

    The Fertile Crescent describes a region in the Middle East that arcs around the Syrian Desert, encompassing parts of modern-day Israel, Syria and Iraq. The portion of this arc that lies between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Mesopotamia, was home to the first agricultural communities. These settlements became the first civilizations, with writing systems, laws and central governments. Although the Fertile Crescent was home to numerous tribes and was invaded frequently, historians generally recognize six true civilizations in the region.

  • What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Cultural Diffusion?

    Cultural diffusion has historically resulted in significant changes, over time, to affected regions. The Crusades produced significant change of new ideas and products in Europe and the Middle East. The American and British advances into Asia resulted in technology pushing out ancient tradition. In modern times, as new populations become developed and begin to travel, they bring cultural diffusion to the U.S. and other countries, with good and bad results.

  • The Effects of Cultural Discrimination on Students in the Classroom

    The civil rights movement in the 1960s changed the face of the classroom by introducing students of different cultures to the educational environment. While it has presented opportunities that were once unheard of for these students, it has also tip-toed through various complications that arise from mixing individuals of different cultures and races together in a similar environment. These complications are both covert and subtle, and affect the self-esteem and confidence of the student.

  • Cultural Ideas of Beauty

    Human beauty is something shaped by the cultural standards of a place and time. These standards change throughout history because they depend upon perception for symbols of wealth and social status. For example; a fair complexion in the 19th century was a sign that a person did not have to labor outdoors, but a tan in 2011 implies a person has the leisure time to lay around on the beach; very different standards, but both are symbols of affluence.

  • How to Decode Body Language

    Reading body language is important for making friends, dating, getting along in the workplace and pretty much any social interaction. Short of listening to what people say and observing facial expressions, it is the best way to read someone's mind and figure out how that person feels about you. Unfortunately it does not come naturally to all of us. Some of us need to carefully study body language in order to get an idea of what a person is thinking.

  • How to Answer Questions Like a Politician

    Politicians generally have evolved public speaking skills because being able to address a large group effectively is essential to persuading others to adopt your point of view. The effective use of words can result in focus on a politician's strengths rather than her weaknesses. Knowing how to answer questions like a politician can be helpful in maintaining control of an interview and in gaining the support of others.

  • Clashes Between Values in Conflict

    Value conflict is a problem both between groups within societies and between nations in a rapidly changing world. The change worldwide from traditional values to contemporary values involves a greater emphasis on relativity and the importance of the individual over tradition and faith. Greater interaction between nations has led to the creation of special research and programs designed to address international conflict. Within societies, multiculturalism attempts to address problems in a manner different from the melting pot concept.

  • Cultures That Use Rubies

    Rubies are red corundum crystals. One of the hardest substances on Earth --- only diamond is harder --- they are aluminum oxide colored red by chrome. If a corundum crystal is any color other than red, including a deep, rich pink, it is a sapphire, not a ruby. Along with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, rubies are one of the four precious gemstones.

  • What Is the Dinka Language & Where Is It Spoken?

    The name Dinka means "people." The Dinka live in the Bahr el Ghazal region of the Nile basin, Jonglei and parts of southern Kordufan and Upper Nile regions. They are one of sub-Saharan Africa's oldest peoples, and are the largest ethnic group in southern Sudan. Dinka is one of the major languages of southern Sudan, with more than 4.5 million people who speak it. It is spoken by refugees in Australia, Britain, Canada, Egypt, the Netherlands and the United States.

  • The Importance of Constellations in Cultures

    Since prehistoric times, the constellations have meant different things to different cultures. For some of the world's major cultures, these groupings of stars and where they sat in the heavens signified a certain time of year, for others it was how their gods either hid out from their enemies or communicated with their people.

  • How to Change a Generation

    As a rule, the effort to implement generational change begins with the need to properly craft a core message. In addition, the proper evaluation of the attitudes, trends and choices of the target generation creates the opportunity for effective communication and correspondence. Information derived from research and the solicitation of ideas and input from generation members assists in the effort to implement change on a wide scale. Concerned individuals must also consider the imagery and presentation of a concerted effort to maximize the effectiveness of marketing the need for generational change.

  • What Are Cultural Variables?

    Generally speaking, cultural variables refer to any cultural element that can affect an observed phenomenon, from macroeconomic observations to artistic production or the success of political initiatives. In an attempt to systematize cultural variables, however, most anthropologists work with a set of defined variables that seek to describe cultures along a continuum defined by several traits. Not all anthropologists agree on exactly what these categories should be, but a few enjoy widespread acceptance in the field.

  • Characteristics of Organizations With a Positive Culture

    Whether evaluating your own organization or looking to join or new one, ensuring that the organization has a positive culture is key to determining its success. An organization with a positive culture will have members who are both invested in and enjoying the organization's work. Additionally, a strong organization will have a clear mission that members strive to reach everyday.

  • What Are Some Culture Clashes in the Workplace?

    Today's workplace in America is often so culturally diverse that clashes are almost inevitable without management intervention. Many people with different cultural backgrounds work side by side with Americans. A company's management also has to deal with four generations in the same physical space whose values and beliefs are distinct. To create a more inclusive and tolerant workplace, companies are providing training to employees on culture, according to ABC News.

  • How to Interpret Words With Body Language

    Knowledge of nonverbal language is a powerful component of human interaction and can be an asset in any social setting. As Allan and Barbara Pease note in their book, "The Definitive Book of Body Language," the words exchanged in a face-to-face conversation account for less than 35 percent of communication; 65 percent of communication is executed through nonverbal signals. Knowing how to read body language signals can bring to light deceitful words, contradictions, flirtatious undertones, discomfort or any other human emotion. Knowledge of body language not only enlightens your understanding of someone's words; it can empower your communication skills.

  • Bodies of Water Around the Inuit Tribe

    The Inuit are indigenous groups living in the northernmost portions of Canada, Alaska and Newfoundland, primarily in arctic and subarctic areas. The Inuit are a hunter-gatherer people who have traditionally relied heavily on sea mammals and fish for food. They often hunted from long, narrow boats called "qajak," the precursor to the modern kayak. Modern Inuit still hunt walrus, whales and seal, and engage in traditional forms of ice fishing.

  • Togas in Roman Culture

    Societies often signal social status and values through the choice of dress and accessories, no more so than in the time of the Romans. Roman social mores allowed only certain people to wear the country's national garment -- the toga. Although times changed during the Roman Empire, for the most part, togas were for men of status, or patricians. Women wore togas in the early Empire, but that practice discontinued, and by the later Roman era, the only women who wore togas were prostitutes. The toga was reserved for the free citizens of the Empire. Foreigners, slaves, and the lower…

  • How to Interview a Politician

    Politicians have a specific agenda that either involves getting elected or boosting the perception that the electorate made a good decision by putting them in office. When interviewing politicians, stay aware of that agenda and how their answers play into it. Interviewing politicians means employing interrogation skills that elicit the truth, or at least the facts. Keep in mind that your own agenda can influence questioning, so if you intend to remain objective, avoid leading questions.

  • Culture Issues in School Nursing

    The function of a nurse is to care for the patient as a whole person. This is known as holistic care. In holistic care, nurses ensure that patients receive care that is compatible with their social, spiritual, and moral standards. For this reason, cultural competence is a vital focus in nursing. In the school environment, the nurse's ability to adapt to the various different cultures, beliefs and practices of the children in the school population is the key to providing effective and respectful student care.

  • The Highest Art Form in Early Asian Culture

    The history and artistic styles of Asia are as varied as the cultures that make up the region, including those of the Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Pacific Islanders. However, some art forms have been more highly regarded than others among the collective culture of early Asia, and that admiration has continued to this day. Consider these forms of art when you want to gain a better understanding of what kind of aesthetics are thought of highly in the Asian culture.

  • Were There Any Bodies of Water Near the Geographical Location of Mesopotamia?

    Mesopotamia, meaning "land between two rivers," refers to the area between and around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which run through modern-day Iraq, Syria and Turkey. Mesopotamia was home to some of the world's oldest civilizations, including Sumer, which emerged in the Tigris-Euphrates river valley near the Persian Gulf during the fourth millenium B.C. Sumer and later empires developed under the heavy influence of the twin rivers, the Persian Gulf and the nearby Mediterranean Sea.

  • How to Know If an Argument Is Successful?

    In a day and age defined by individual thought, we engage in arguments almost daily. Despite the ease of having a viewpoint, however, we sometimes find ourselves unable to communicate it effectively. Perhaps even worse, we may communicate our message but be unsure about whether it has achieved its intended result. To know whether our arguments have been successful, we must self-evaluate our approaches to arguing a viewpoint.

  • What Causes Cultural Diffusion?

    Cultural diffusion is a term used by social scientists to describe the cultural change. Languages, technologies and cultural differences that are common in one particular region are considered indigenous to that region. When those cultural characteristics spread throughout the world to create cultural diversity, this is called cultural diffusion. There are, however, several theories why cultural diffusion happens.

  • How to Overcome the Spirit of Offense

    Being offended by other people's remarks, actions, choices, way of life or behavior is very common and almost a norm for some people but, feeling constantly offended is no way to go through life and causes real emotional problems. The word "offense" is used when we feel displeasure caused by someone else's actions or words. This displeasure is usually simply annoying but can lead to a deep sense of resentment and indignation. Keeping grudges against all of the people that have offended you, not only keeps you from being happy, but can affect your mental and spiritual health.

  • How to Stand When the Judge Enters

    If you are new to legal proceeding it can be extremely intimidating to stand before a judge. Knowing what to expect will help you prepare for your day in court. The courtroom is an environment filled with traditions and formalities. There are several displays of etiquette observed in the courtroom one of which is standing when the judge enters for the hearing. This act is done to display respect, and failure to do so can result in jail time or the judge starting off the case biased against you.

  • Giving Names in Dinka Culture

    Dinka children are given a family name based on their father's lineage, which is what western culture views as the "last name." A Dinka child's given name reflects the location or circumstances of the child's birth or the parents' expectations for the child. Some Dinka families are Christians, and their children may have a Biblical first name. Teenagers choose a replacement for the given name as part of adulthood rituals -- this "cow name" is based on the color or characteristics of a favorite cow or ox.

  • Which Four Bodies of Water Are Associated With the Fertile Crescent?

    The term "Fertile Crescent" refers to a region in the Middle East which many consider to be the foundation point for early Asiatic civilization. Lying between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf the fertile crescent is crossed by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Since ancient times the bodies of water have assisted this normally arid desert region with its fertility. In more modern times, fertile crescent nations have began to depend on the water to generate electricity and to ship the oil which supplies a significant source of their funding.

  • Culture Barriers

    Culture is a shared identity of a people or a nation, and it provides a backdrop for how those people live and view the world. Since cultures develop differently, it only makes sense that when they communicate with one another, there are certain barriers and difficulties caused by these differences.

  • Cultural Fair Ideas

    Putting on a cultural fair can be an entertaining and educational way to display a variety of world cultures in one location. Plan several main activities that highlight the distinct customs and traditions of each culture represented at the event, and advertise your prospective schedule well in advance using social and print media to help attract participants and patrons.

  • Ethiopian Cultural Events

    Ethiopia has an extensive history and a rich cultural tradition. There are many Ethiopian cultural events throughout the year which combine both religious and secular elements. Celebrations such as Enkutatash, Meskal, Genna and Timket are traditional Ethiopian cultural events celebrated throughout the country. Ethiopia still employs the Julian calendar instead of the Western calendar, so the dates these events take place will be different from the standard Western calendar.

  • Social Problems Related to Culture

    Culture can be described as the beliefs and qualities of life that individuals esteem. Sometimes confused with ethnicity, culture is often a person's concern with manners, artistic and scholarly activities. In direct contrast to positive cultural interests, are social problems or conditions that a group of people in a community deem undesirable. Examples of social problems include crime, violence, drug abuse and environmental problems. Culture shapes society and is often related to social problems that occur.

  • Research Methods for Cultural Studies

    Cultural studies encompass any science that studies how groups behave or react within their own society and the factors that may have influenced the society. This school of science encompasses history, religion, sociology and psychology as well as other schools. All the factors that influence a group of people --- or a subgroup such as teenagers or a minority --- are studied and used together to create a picture of the group.

  • Cultural Aspects of the Colonial Period of America

    America's Colonial period stretched from 1607 when North America was first unsuccessfully populated by English settlers to 1783, the end of the American Revolutionary war. The Colonial period was one of the most important periods for America culture because it formed the nation's cultural foundation. There were regional differences however, with vastly different views between the northern colonies and southern colonies.

  • What Cultures Use Rainsticks?

    Rainsticks are a type of percussion instrument similar to the maracas. A rainstick is a hollow tube filled with pellets and with small pins fixed inward toward the center of the tube. When you shake the rainstick, the pellets bounce off the pins and sound like a rainstorm. Several cultures use this instrument both for entertainment and as part of religious and communal rituals.

  • Cultural Barriers to Population Decrease

    The world's population has reached an all-time high, as of 2011. The number of people is so large that many are beginning to worry about the strain on natural resources that additional population growth will produce. Some countries have taken steps to attempt a population decrease. However, there are many cultural barriers in place that inhibit the process of population decrease. In fact, many of these cultural barriers promote a population increase.

  • Culture on Consumer Behaviors

    When referring to culture, people often tend to stereotype groups and individual members of those groups. While this tendency can create social tensions and controversy, it can be useful to the marketing industry, which considers culture one of the underlying determinants of consumer behaviors. The ability to identify specific consumption patterns based on social or ethnic characteristics and attitudes is a powerful marketing tool. Using this tool effectively requires a full understanding of the influence of culture on consumer behaviors.

  • Culture of Poverty Characteristics

    Oscar Lewis, in 1959, released the first major work that introduced the idea of a culture of poverty. This work included a number of observations that defined the culture and set it apart from the rest of society. While this theory has sparked discussion on all sides, the theory itself has been often disputed as some contend that the culture of poverty is not significantly different from its non-poor counterpart.

  • Language & Culture Barriers

    Effective communication of ideas and thoughts become difficult if language and cultural barriers exist, as these barriers are hurdles against proper and effective communication among individuals or groups. The reason behind these differences is the nativity, education, religion and language that the person is used to and its correlation with other languages and cultures. These barriers can lead to misunderstandings among people and lead to a breakdown or failure of the communication process.

  • What Are the Duties of Wives in Yoruba Culture?

    Yoruba is a cultural region in west Africa that today is made up of the countries of Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Cultural traditions run deep in the area, especially when it comes to the family. The wives, who are considered subservient to often-polygamous husbands, have a number of duties that revolve around child-rearing and producing income for the family.

  • How to Use All Senses to Listen

    Listening is a skill that needs to be learned. We teach children how to speak, but neglect to teach them how to listen. Effective listening will help you understand people and interact with them better. You can learn to listen with your entire body, using all your senses. A University of California study in 1991 showed that just seven percent of our communication is based on the choice of words, with the rest being body language and vocal tone. You can develop the listening ability of all your senses and thereby increase your ability to communicate.

  • What Are Cultural Barriers?

    All countries and world regions have different cultural norms that dictate things such as emotional or behavioral constraints. Language and religion are also an aspect of culture that may create barriers between two people. It is important to research the culture of the area you may be traveling to in order to breakdown these barriers and make communication as easy as possible.

  • How Has Anime Impacted America's Culture?

    Anime is a form of animation that originated in Japan and, in many English speaking countries, is simply referred to as "Japanese animation." However, in Japan, the term "anime" does not specify a specific style or origin, but is a term used for animation throughout the world. Anime can either be hand-draw or computer animated and is found today in television series, movies, video games, commercials and also Internet based productions.

  • Journals About Evolution of Culture

    Many academic journals discuss the evolution of culture; in fact, journals published in any field other than strict empirical sciences probably cover culture or some aspect of it. For example, a paper published in a comparative literature journal may discuss the difference between the works of two authors of different nationalities; a religious studies publication might compare modern Jainism to Jainism in the 1980s. Both works would trace cultural change. The disciplines that treat the evolution of culture fall into four main categories, while the journals themselves fall under a myriad of disciplines.

  • Cultural Barriers in the Classroom

    Cultural barriers in the classroom can be detrimental to a child's learning experience and sometimes can even affect the atmosphere for all the students in a class. Cultural barriers can sometimes lead to violent bullying by other students so teachers should strive to maintain an anti-bullying environment when they have diverse classrooms. Teachers should also be able to offer counseling and suicide intervention referrals.

  • Art & Text in Roman Culture

    Art and text played an important part in the culture of Ancient Rome, appearing everywhere from the wax tablets used to write lists, to the mosaics and statues which adorned Roman homes and public areas. Thanks to the advances in the fields of art and text during the days of Ancient Rome, and the way in which the Romans grew their empire, art and text were able to acquire a strong significance within Roman culture.

  • How to Overcome Language & Cultural Barriers

    When you move to, or visit, a foreign country, you will undoubtedly encounter many linguistic and cultural differences. Even when you are in another English-speaking country, there are phrases and words used in a different context that can make everyday life a challenge. While it takes time to settle into a new place, there are some things you can do to learn the local customs, shorten the learning curve and enable yourself to acclimate to your new environment.

  • How to Use Ethnographic Methods

    Ethnography was originated by social anthropologists as a means of finding out about a culture by immersing themselves in it and doing research over a lengthy time period. The ethnographer does not impose preconceived notions but records what actually happens within the social structure without disrupting the culture being studied. What began as an anthropological research method has been extended to any sort of cultural or social behavior, for example, team behavior in software engineering, understanding how people from non-Western cultures perceive mental health problems or computer user needs.

  • How to Tell the Differences Between U.S. Lutheran Church Bodies

    Lutheran church bodies in the United States are alike in certain ways. They all trace their beginnings to Martin Luther (1483-1546) and his dispute with the Catholic Church that began the Protestant Reformation. Their traditional worship services, truncated from the Catholic Mass, also are highly similar. But their stances on certain key doctrinal issues are major indicators as to whether their respective church bodies are conservative, moderate or liberal.

  • Zulu Culture and Historical Background

    Fierce warriors may come to mind when you hear talk or read about the Zulu tribe. Although that is true, there is much more to the Zulu culture. Numbering roughly 3 million, they are the largest group of people in southern Africa and have a rich history.

  • The Methods to Tell if Someone is Lying

    Despite polygraphs, truth serums and Hollywood spy movies, there is no completely foolproof way to detect whether or not someone is telling the truth. Whether it's a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar or a world leader caught alone with an intern, you must learn to rely on your instincts and impressions. There are certain cues that liars often use that you can watch for, however; the presence or absence of these behaviors, coupled with your own observations, will give you a pretty good idea of a person's veracity.

  • How to Take a Kremlin Virtual Tour

    The Kremlin is in the heart of Moscow and is the official residence of the president of Russia. Traveling to Russia to take a tour of the Kremlin, although appealing to many, is very expensive. The virtual tour allows you to look around the Kremlin and can be purchased on a website called "Cominfo." The tour is in DVD format and requires a DVD player. If you do not wish to purchase a virtual tour, there are some free text- and picture-based tours of the Kremlin available online. See the Resources section of this article.

  • How to Enter a Group Conversation at a Networking Event

    Entering a group conversation at a networking event is difficult for many people, especially if you do not know someone in the group. The struggle with entering this kind of conversation is overcome by applying some strategy and understanding body language. It is not necessary to speak to join a conversation. Albert Meharabian, a body language researcher, discovered that the impact of a message is 7 percent words, 38 percent vocal sounds and 55 percent non-verbal. Ray Birdwhistell, an anthropologist, discovered that face-to-face communication is less than 35 percent verbal and more than 65 percent non-verbal.

  • How to Chat Up a Guy If You Are Really Shy

    Being a shy person can hinder you in social situations. A shy person tends to stay away from active, animated conversation and float in the background, content to watch others interact. While people-watching is a good skill to acquire, even the shyest person should bolster her social skills. Whether in the workforce or in everyday life, having self confidence and being able to lead a conversation is key. Shyness can take its toll when a woman is faced with talking to a guy she likes. By practicing self confidence and engaging in social interactions, you can carry on a conversation…

  • How to Meet Your Chat Friends

    After months or even years chatting with someone online, you're ready to make the transition to a real life friendship. While safety issues were a big concern in past years, it is becoming more common to meet chat friends in person. However, meeting your online buddies in real life can completely change the dynamic of the relationship. To ease this transition and avoid awkward moments of silence, follow a few steps to take your friendship to the next level.

  • How to Tell If Someone Is Lying or Hiding Something

    Bella DePaulo, a psychology professor at UC Santa Barbara, says that the motivation behind deception falls into two main categories---a person will either lie to make himself look good or to spare another person's feelings. Also, Dennis Reina, the author of "Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace" noted that men tend to lie about their jobs while women lie to be perceived as having a better social status. There are a few ways that you can spot a lie, whether it be in your personal or business life.

  • How to Determine If A Person Is Being Honest With You

    Honesty is one of the most important qualities a person should hold. An honest person is one who can be upfront about who they are, what they have done, and what they plan to do in the future. When a person is honest with you, it's sincere and fairly easy to recognize. Here are ways to determine if a person is being honest with you so that you can decipher the truth from lies and never feel that your being patronized.

  • How to Start a Simple Conversation

    The art of conversation often ties people in knots. However, good conversation is simple if one remembers to be open, receptive and relaxed. By starting with simple conversation, one can gradually deepen a connection until talk becomes more meaningful. As Ross Bonander of AskMen.com says, many hate to start a conversation "...because they don't want to face the kind of social rejection that is a possibility."

  • How to Improve Your Listening Skills

    Listening is a skill that may be learned and practiced. For some jobs, listening actively and taking in what is said to you is critical. Improving your listening skills helps you both professionally and personally. While it may take some practice, improving your listening skills can be done with persistence and attention to the task at hand. Improve your listening skills and see what the results are in your professional and personal life.

  • How to Identify Snakes in South Africa

    There are over 2,500 snake species in the world, with over 120 of them from South Africa. It is important to be able to identify a snake in order to know if it is venomous or will even attempt to attack you. Understanding this could be the difference between life or death. The common varietals of snakes in South Africa include the puff adder, the horned and many-horned adder, black mamba, green mamba, eastern tiger snake, cobra, African rock snake, vine snake and the rinkhal.

  • How Does Body Language Indicate When a Person Is Lying?

    The most important thing to look for in lying is a change from the norm. People have a way they tell stories and relate to others when they are acting normal and not self-conscious. When someone lies, he won't look as natural. If you know someone well, your instincts may tell you that something is different when he lies.

  • How Does Body Language Work?

    Body language is a type of nonverbal communication that can be very subtle or highly blatant. In its more subtle form, body language consists of small muscle twitches, pupil dilations and pheromones; however, the more obvious body language signals include posture, arm and leg movements and facial expressions. Nonverbal cues often convey a person's attitude or mood before the person has even spoken a word. Many people believe that the study of body language is an important way of understanding others, especially when the verbal message is not clear.

  • How to End a Conversation Without Being Rude

    When a friendly greeting turns into a 20-minute discussion, a phone call drags on through dinner or a chatty co-worker won't leave your office, you need an exit strategy. Devise and practice ways to end a conversation without being rude.

  • How to Get a Close Talker to Back Off

    If you're slouched back in your seat or against a wall with someone yammering in your face, you've just been approached by the "close talker." Close talkers for whatever reason don't feel bad usurping personal space to get their point across. Whether it's a cultural or social difference or some kind of neurosis, there are ways to handle this aggressive posture in conversation.

  • How to Be Polite to a Boss

    If you are blessed with a boss who is not a jerk, then you should probably not take it for granted by being rude on the job. Show kindness and respect by being polite. Follow these guidelines to promote a harmonious working relationship with your boss.

  • How to Be Polite to a Coworker

    Unless you are self-employed on a private island, you probably work with a number of other people. Being polite to your coworkers is the best way to promote a positive working environment. Follow these guidelines to be polite to the people working around you.

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