42 Chapter 2 Skills for Career Success
Your Actions
The actions you take can send messages to others. For instance, manners
are rules to follow for proper conduct. Using good manners sends the
message that you want others to feel comfortable. In most cases, having good
manners is as simple as being kind to others and using common sense.
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Other actions will send the message that you care about people’s
feelings. Using the words please, thank you, and excuse me shows
courtesy and respect to others. Sending a note of thanks, a card, or
a text message to cheer someone up refl ects thoughtfulness. Giving
a gift on a special occasion tells people you are considerate. Using a
pleasant tone of voice lets others know you want them to feel at ease.
Body Language
When you nod your head, shake your fi st, or point your fi nger, you
are communicating without words. With body language, you are using
body movements, such as facial expressions, gestures, and posture, to
send messages to others.
Although you are not using words, your messages can be crystal
clear. The expression on your face can convey your mood before you
even begin to talk. Direct eye contact with someone can convey honesty
and straightforwardness. With a smile and a shake of your head, you can
let someone know that you agree. With a wink, you can say “I like you.”
Some people use hand gestures to make their spoken messages clearer.
Personal Space
Your personal space is the area around you. When others enter this
space, your reaction is a form of nonverbal communication. The way
you allow people to use your personal space depends on the way you feel
about these people. You may enjoy the closeness of a hug from a special
person, or a whisper in your ear from another. A quick handshake may be
as close as you wish to be with others. When a person enters your personal
space you feel either comfortable
or uncomfortable. Your behaviors
reveal the way you feel.
Most Americans like to stay
about an arm’s length from each
other when they speak. This is not
the case in other cultures. People
from some cultures like to stand
closer when they speak. This
closeness makes some Americans
feel uncomfortable. An awareness
of this cultural difference can help
you avoid any misinterpretation of
another’s actions.
Life Skills
Body Language Around the
World
Some communications are infl uenced by
cultural diversity, so being aware of cultural
differences is important. For example, in some cultures
people are taught to never make eye contact with someone
in authority. A friendly hug may also be off-limits. In large
U.S. cities, people avoid making eye contact with anyone on
the streets. While some specifi c body language does vary,
a person from any culture is likely to understand gestures
meaning yes, no, come, stop, up, down, and thank you.