Non-verbal communication in a meeting and common indicators of negative attitudes:

BODY LANGUAGE:

We constantly communicate with each other, even non-verbally (without talking). In fact, 60 to 80 per cent of our communication is non-verbal: only seven to ten per cent is attributable to the actual words of a conversation.

Your mood, emotion, energy levels and attitude can be detected through your body language, we show others how we feel. Sometimes we say one thing but display quite another through our body language.

This often happens without our realising it, for instance our words might say: Iam not angry with you' but our body language is screaming: 'Stay away from me!' It is very confusing when dealing with someone who reacts like this since it is obvious that they are not telling the truth about how they are really feeling.

When we want to connect with someone we are attracted to, our body language 'speaks' our intention. Flirting is mostly non-verbal and is a way of letting someone know that we are interested in them without actually having to say: I am interested in you.

How do you feel about me? If the other person is interested, they will flirt back. It's not something we think about or plan. We simply act out our feelings and emotions, and words are simply unnecessary.

We use body language to show how we really feel about something or someone. Especially when we are angry or upset. People who would rather avoid conflict often resort to showing how they feel instead of verbalising their fears, concerns, or opinions.

This is mostly done unconsciously, but sometimes it is done very deliberately: I can't tell how I feel, but my body language and behaviour will show you.

INTUITION:

We have all experienced unexplained 'knowing' feelings about a situation. For example, you may have left a job interview saying: 'I think she liked me' with no proof that she actually did like you.

This type of feeling is called intuition When you observe someone else's behaviour and body language you intuitively know how they feel. It is subconscious observation.

INTERPRETING NON-VERBAL MESSAGES:

Non-verbal messages have to be interpreted by taking all communication into consideration. A single sign non-verbal message is very often difficult to interpret accurately because many messages can be interpreted in several ways.

For example, crossed arms may be an indication of an unwillingness to participate or it may just be comfortable for the person to sit that way, or maybe both. A non-verbal message can be accurately interpreted only if other communication confirms it.

For example, you may interpret that a person is unwilling to participate if their arms are folded and if their answers are too short perhaps only 'Yes' or 'No'.

You cannot accurately interpret inconsistent non-verbal messages. The same is true of tone of voice: sometimes a person will say 'Yes' but you can hear from their tone of voice that they do not mean it.

You should look for verbal or other non-verbal messages to confirm an obviously negative non-verbal message. Look for messages that correspond with each other so that you can make a more accurate interpretation.

Cultural differences must always be kept in mind when you analyse or send non-verbal messages. Different societies have different meaning for particular non-verbal messages. For example, in some cultures avoiding eye contact is an expected sign of respect, but in others it is taken as an indication of dishonesty or at least of disinterest.

COMMON INDICATORS OF NEGATIVE ATTITUDES:

There are many types of negative attitude, shown by different kinds of body language. Here are some of the most common one's.

INSECURITY:

• Bitting fingernails or chewing on a pencil.
• Hand wringing or rubbing.
• Frequent coughing.
• Fidgeting.
• Keeping hands deep in your pockets

FRUSTRATION:

• Tightening of the jaw.
• Rubbing or scratching the back of the neck or the head.
• Frowning.
• Looking away.

DISHONESTY:

• Lack of eye contact.
• Sideways glances.
• Covering the mouth with a hand while speaking.
• Frequent blinking of the eyes, or frequent coughing.

DEFENSIVENESS:

• Pointing a finger at someone.
• Crossing the arms high on the chest.
• Crossing one's legs.

BOREDOM OR INDIFFERENCE:

• Slouching
• Yawning.
• Looking away.
• Head in hand, or hands.
• Preoccupations with something else.

You can train yourself not to show how you feel about a person or situation by deliberately using positive body language. Here are some of the most useful techniques for doing this:

• Maintain good eye contact with your conversation partner. This will show that you are paying close attention and that you respect their opinion.
• Always maintain good body posture. Slouching indicates laziness, disinterest, disrespect, and a no-care attitude.
• The way that you hold your head plays a major role in how others perceive you. Keep your head both horizontally and vertically level. You will come across as more confident and motivated, which is good for your image.
• The position of your arms indicates how open and receptive you are to people, their ideas, views and opinions. Keep your arms at your sides. Don't fold your arms, unless you mean to show your disapproval.
• Our legs are also a giveaway sign. Constantly moving your legs around creates a perception of nervousness, stress or deception and should be avoided.
• The angle of your body in relation to someone else's indicate your attitude and feelings towards them. We turn towards people we like or find attractive but turn away from people we don't like or do not approve of.
• Shaking hands: When someone offers a hand with the palm down it is an indication of dominance or aggression. Always shake hands vertically to convey a message of amiability and friendliness.
• Never invade someone else's personal space. Keep a small distance away from the person you are talking with so that they do not feel offended or threatened.
• Be careful not give off wrong signals by pursuing or biting your lips. You may come across as displeased or it may seem as though you are trying to withhold an angry outburst.
• The most important body language tip: smile! A smile can get you out of a tight spot and can turn a bad situation around you.

‘Sand Pinch’ Gesture Description

The ‘sand pinch’ gesture is a thumb and index finger pinched together like pinching sand.

Former President Bill Clinton is often recognized as making the ‘sand pinch’ gesture popular for politicians.

Former President Obama made the ‘sand pinch’ gesture regularly in his delivery.

Former President Trump, Vice President Harris, Senator J. D. Vance, and Governor Tim Walz continue the legacy of politicians making the ‘sand pinch’ gesture popular.

It makes sense that these politicians would use the same gesture as Former President Clinton given his political success.

The ’sand pinch’ gesture is interpreted as the speaker is focused and knowledgeable.

Nonverbal behaviors often influence perceptions, a nonverbal behavior indicating knowledge increases the credibility of the speaker with the audience.

The politician is able to emphasize the importance of the message without fully pointing.

It should come as no surprise then that so many politicians use the ‘sand pinch’ gesture during speeches and interviews because it increases importance of their message, their audience’s retention from using a gesture, their perception of knowledge about the topic, and shows focus.

Conclusion

Does the ‘sand pinch’ gesture lead politicians to success or do successful politicians learn to adopt it?

Who knows but the politically successful ones display the ‘sand pinch’ gesture.

If more people become aware of the ‘sand pitch’ gesture, does it lose its effectiveness?

Do people start to see it as choreographed and inauthentic?

For now, politicians are safe to display the ‘sand pitch’ gesture because most people probably are unaware that it can be used as a communication strategy.