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Some Humor for the Holidays


Funny Christmas Card Quotes

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.  - Larry Wilde

Decorate your homes with lots of mistletoe... this won't really help the environment... But more kissing has got to be good for world peace. -   Arlo Guthrie

Christmas at my house is always at least six or seven times more pleasant than anywhere else. We start drinking early. And while everyone else is seeing only one Santa Claus, we'll be seeing six or seven. -  W. C. Fields

Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit. -  Anonymous

“Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family... " -  Berke Breathed

Let me see if I've got this Santa business straight. You say he wears a beard, has no discernible source of income and flies to cities all over the world under cover of darkness? You sure this guy isn't laundering illegal drug money?  - Tom Armstrong

Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year.  - Victor Borge

You know you're getting old, when Santa starts looking younger.  -  Robert Paul

Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space. -  Dave Barry

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin. -  Jay Leno

Out upon merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer...? If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' upon his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!  - Charles Dickens, in A Christmas Carol

The one thing women don't want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning is their husband.  - Joan Rivers

Christmas is a race to see which gives out first - your money or your feet.  - Anonymous


Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

How to make your body language work for you during an interview

Patti was interviewed by Miriam Salpeter of US News on, "How to make your body language work for you during an interview." Check the link below!

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/12/12/make-your-body-language-work-for-you-during-an-interview

You’ve been practicing what to say at an interview, but have you considered what signals your body language is sending? (The Merrabian research I think you wanted to quote here Is not actually valid. Perhaps better to say it has 4.3 times the impact than words alone) Research suggests ____ percent of communication isn’t transmitted via our words, but is broadcast through our actions and attitude.

Patti Wood, author of SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma, suggests the following tips from the book to help you wow your interviewer:

Palm-to-Palm Contact Is Key. Wood explains, “My research is the US and Canada suggests that palm contact is more important than how firm your grip is…If someone shakes hands with you and gives you just her fingers and not her full palm, at a subconscious level you may think, ‘What is she hiding? What is she keeping from me?” Evaluate the all-important handshake and worry less about if you have a firm enough grip and more about extending your entire hand and palm when you greet someone.

How to Sit. Don’t make yourself smaller in stature. Appear brave by keeping your body open. Wood notes, “Keep your arms open and away from your body, legs uncrossed, and shoulders   back.”  Take note of how you sit. Wood explains, Research says that women perch, sitting on the edge of the seat, curved forward, while men tend to slouch, relying more on the backrest. Perching the entire time makes you look less powerful. Vary your position, use lots of space, and occasionally place your arms on the armrest to look confident.” When you position yourself effectively, you’ll appear confident, vital, and energetic.

 Show Your Hands. Showing your hands helps you appear open, honest and approachable, so Wood notes,Don’t hide your hands under the table or in your pockets or tuck them away. Keep your hands open and in view on the table or the arms of the chair.” She explains, “Gesture normally. Your hands show your emotional state. When you close your hand, the amount of tightness and the way the fingers curve show how you feel about the topic. In an interview, you want to be open, not closed.”

Match and Mirror. Research shows that people hire people who are like them. Use body language to help convince your interviewer that you are a good fit. Wood suggests youmatch and mirror your interviewer enough briefly at the very beginning of the interview to make him comfortable with you. For example, lean slightly in the direction he is leaning, for instance, or match his smile with one of your own.”

Get Grounded. When the going get tough, the tough get grounded. Wood explains,When people are nervous, they tend to either move a lot or freeze. To overcome the toughest interview questions, put both feet firmly on the ground. This makes it easier to use both hemispheres of the brain— the rational and the creative-emotional. Or, if you feel yourself freeze, move your feet in some way.”

End Well. While first impressions are important, people will also remember the last thing you do or say. Wood suggests, “The last impression, the recencey effect is critical and can improve a bad first impression” As the conversation winds down, make sure your belongings are on the left side of your body so you can easily shake with your right hand. You may shake hands more than once — when you get up, at the door, and after talking for a bit longer while parting.” Even if the interview didn’t go as well as you might have liked, keep focused and poised until the end and you may be able to improve the impression you leave.

 
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Patti on Nancy Grace at 8 pm ET December 11, 2012 Analyzing the Body Language of Valedictorian Jeffrey Pyne Accused of Killing Mother

Patti on YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6CscjPhzMk&list=UUNDJOcYly1uLU5dxr9JFkpQ

Check the link below to view the interrogation and then watch tonight at 8 pm ET for Patti's insights!
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/valedictorian-jeffrey-pyne-accused-killing-mother-interrogation-tape-17836313

*mom blames dad*

Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (Dad & Mom Relationship) 08927115

oc: supposed to be

trt: 1:10

14:39:28 Police: What kind of relationship did your dad have with your mom?" -- Pyne He was really working to make it better, getting her flowers and stuff he was really trying to fix things between the two of them because she was really mad at him for everything that's happened with medication; 14:39:54 she blames him for trying to take me and Julia away from her. You've got to understand: 14:40:09 she was manic and crazy she once thought that he was this bad guy who was trying to ruin her life and take her kids away from her 14:40:23 and once she got on the medication, she was better again. 14:40:28 And he was really trying to make her like him again, make the relationship like it's supposed to be" 14:40:38

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (MANIC/HITTING ME) 08927097

oc: she wasn't herself

trt: 54

13:15:40 (I understand there were an issue of some sort of fight between the 2 of you? Did she ever get arrested awhile back?) yeah that was back last summer, she was not on her medication, was very, very manic . . . 13:16:01 it was early in the morning; I heard my parents yelling back and forth and it woke me up and I walked into their room at the door was opened and they were just screaming at each other... 13:16:20 and she came at me, launched out of the bed and grabbed me by the throat, started hitting me and stuff -- "but she didn't hurt me or anything; she was just manic..she wasn't herself. 13:16:34

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (ON THE EDGE) 08927125

oc: little bit paranoid

trt: 1:07

14:40:42 Police: Was there ever a time where you felt because of her condition she was damaging the family?" -- Pyne: 14:40:58 No, it was tough when she would go manic and everything, but all we ever wanted was to get her on medication, but we finally got her on, and she was taking it she would come to my dad and show him, im taking my pills every night so 14:41:34 Police Did she seem like she was agitated, or on edge this week or last couple of weeks?" Pyne maybe the last few days, but we just attributed that to the medication switch, kind of a little on edge, a little bit paranoid. 14:41:48

Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (MEDICATION) 08927101

oc: better she gets

trt: 41

13:17:26 (And you said she's been on medication?) Yes. (Do you know what kind of medication?) She was on Depakote . . . the doctor wanted it to switch it to I don't know what the new name stuff was. apparantly it doesn't have any side effects. So that's why he was switching it. 13:17:44 ("how long ago did she switch medications?") -- "just recently; I believe it was in the past week. (And things were starting to get better?) "things have been getting better for a long time; week by week the longer she's on the medication, the better she gets 13:18:05

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (GIRLFRIEND) 08927103

oc: little bit uneasy

trt: 39

13:21:02 ("you have a girlfriend?") "yes, (waht's her name) Holly. 13:21:05 // 13:21:35 (have she (gf) been in your house before?) yes ("when was the last time she was at your house?) probably last summer . . . I usually go to her house . . . because obviously she knows about my mom's condition . . . she didn't really feel comfortable coming all the time...so I usually go over there. 13:21:59 (Did she get along with your mother, or just uncomfortable) fine, she knows she gets crazy that kind of makes her a little bit uneasy 13:22:09

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (MANIC/CRAZY/HYPER) 08927099

oc: over the place

trt: 44

13:16:36 (How long as she had issues?) well, It first started back when I was seven; she was more depressed back then and bipolar you are depressed and manic..she was more depressed at that time for a few years than my sister was born in 2000, and she was good until about 2008. 13:17:05 Right after I graduated from high school and she went manic she wasn't depressed any more she just got crazy, she was hyper, and just all over the place" 13:17:18

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (SCRATCHES FOREARM) 08927091

oc: okay...good.

trt: 1:10

13:36:30 "are those scratches on your forearm?" -- "yes, I get scratched up a lot at work . . . a goat got out of a pen at work, and we had to catch him" we have a petting farm. -- "what's this on your pants?" -- "paint" -- "what were you painting?" - "that was back from winter/spring; we were painting a new feeder at work" -- please don't get offended...we got to look at all this stuff. No i understand...I need to stand up and lift your shirt up, to make sure you don't have any injuries on your stomach or back or anything like that" -- HE STANDS, AND TAKES OFF HIS SHIRT 13:37:36

 ****denies involvement, cries****

Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (DID YOU HURT MOM) 08927109

oc: hard enough time

trt: :37

14:44:44 did you do anything at all today to hurt your mom?" -- "no, no . . . (in any way shape or form) nothing . (did you haev any arguments with your mom) no I didn't say anything hurtful to her; I did nothing 14:44:57 . I have no idea who would" -- "I can't even . . . " 14:45:12 HE PUTS HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS, AND STARTS CRYING -- 14:45:17 "I'm having a hard enough time . . ." -- " 14:45:20

 **when he is in room alone**

Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (WHAT THE F*CK) 08927189

oc: going on (double out)trt: :11

13:46:26 "oh, God, what the FUCK is going on?"

//

13:47:25 "what the FUCK is going on?"

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (TAKES OFF BANDAGES) 08927155

oc: off quick, so

trt: :45

13:57:09 Police: Jeff Can you take the bandages off your hands for us? . . .Pyne: Sure //

DEFENDANT REMOVES HIS BANDAGES, AND HIS HANDS ARE THEN PHOTOGRAPHED

13:58:09 (let me see those for a second...Describe to me what took place on that pallet)13:18:21 . . . it was just laying on the ground flat and i picked it up like this I used my foot to give it a boost to kick up a stack of pallets and my hand just kind of got stuck in there" (HE DEMONSTRATES) and i caught it and i just kind of shoved it back on there and it stung really bad. i pulled my hands off quick, so. 13:58:44

***puts hand on head***

Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (CHRISTIAN SCHOOL) 08927105

oc: I don't know

trt: :57

13:39:30 ("is there anything else you can think of . . . is there anybody who might want to do something like this?") -- "I don't know anybody who's violent, really . . . I went to a Christian school; I was friends with a bunch of nice kids" 13:40:00 (the problem we have is that your mom is a stay-at-home mom from the information we gathered she doesn't have a bunch of friends..she doesn't have any enemies why would somebody pick your home, in a very short time period, and harm your mom?") -- "I don't know" 13:40:25

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (HARM YOUR MOTHER) 08927087

oc: know of anyone

trt: :53

13:32:52 did your mom have any enemies?" - "not really . . she didn't really have any friends, so that kind of eliminated her having any enemies, if that makes sense" -- 13:33:06 "is there anybody you can think of that would want to harm your mother?" or anybody out there you who want to harm your mother -- "I can't . . .she's always been a really nice lady . . . I don't know; I don't know of anyone" -- 13:33:43

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (PALLET/SKIN TAG) 08927113

oc: in the slots, okay

trt: 1:22

15:26:39 "when you pulled your hand back from that pallet, was that skin gone?" -- "there was a lot of skin gone ,and then there was some skin tags" -- "it was this broken pallet right here, on top?" -- "yeah" -- " 15:27:07here was your hands at on the pallet? wehn you injured your hands. i just grabbed one of the slots in there, and just picked it up. (laying flat?) it was laying on the ground" "that just doesn't seem like a very normal place to grab that pallet?" -- 15:27:40 "I tipped it up on its side . . . this part, I had flat on the ground coming up -- "then I picked it up to throw it back up" -- "I put my hand in the slots" in the slots, okay 15:28:00

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (Last Person/Broken Pallet) 08927117

oc: it being broken

trt: :25

15:28:13 "let's face it, you were the last person that we know that saw your mom alive nobody is accusing you of anything we've got to go over everything in detail . . . i understand... that was the pallet for sure?" -- "yeah, because I remember it being broken" 15:28:38

 Jeffrey Pyne Interrogation (GROCERY SHOPPING) 08927081

oc: were leaving? yeah

trt: 1:09

13:14:12 My mom went to do grocery shopping when she got back I helped her unload the car and we put the groceries away. -- "she went upstairs to lay down, and I was just chilling, waiting to go to work and decided to go over and take care of some stuff for Mrs. Needham, because I was kind of bored and I was itching for something to do" 13:14:42 (your mom was lying down where?) she goes up her room. 13:14:44 // 13:19:08 (was it right away after she put the groceries away or what did she do before she put the groceries away?) she was in the living room; I think she was reading" -- "and then I know she went upstairs to lay down; when I left, that's where she was. 13:19:29 (Was there any issue was she upset about anything everything ok when you left?) . . . everything was fine. 13:19:37 (Did she know you were leaving, did you tell her you were leaving?) yeah. 13:19:42

 
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

How to Make Your Body Language Work for You During an Interview

Below is a recent interview with US News in which Patti shares her interview tips from her recent book, SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma.

How to make your body language work for you during an interview

By: Miriam Salpeter

You’ve been practicing what to say at an interview, but have you considered what signals your body language is sending? (The Merrabian research I think you wanted to quote here Is not actually valid. Perhaps better to say it has 4.3 times the impact than words alone) Research suggests ____ percent of communication isn’t transmitted via our words, but is broadcast through our actions and attitude.

Patti Wood, author of SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma, suggests the following tips from the book to help you wow your interviewer:

Palm-to-Palm Contact Is Key - Wood explains, “My research is the US and Canada suggests that palm contact is more important than how firm your grip is…If someone shakes hands with you and gives you just her fingers and not her full palm, at a subconscious level you may think, ‘What is she hiding? What is she keeping from me?” Evaluate the all-important handshake and worry less about if you have a firm enough grip and more about extending your entire hand and palm when you greet someone.

How to Sit - Don’t make yourself smaller in stature. Appear brave by keeping your body open. Wood notes, “Keep your arms open and away from your body, legs uncrossed, and shoulders   back.”  Take note of how you sit. Wood explains, Research says that women perch, sitting on the edge of the seat, curved  forward, while men tend to slouch, relying more on the backrest. Perching the entire time makes you look less powerful. Vary your position, use lots of space, and occasionally place your arms on the armrest to look confident.” When you position yourself effectively, you’ll appear confident, vital, and energetic.

Show Your Hands - Showing your hands helps you appear open, honest and approachable, so Wood notes,Don’t hide your hands under the table or in your pockets or tuck them away. Keep your hands open and in view on the table or the arms of the chair.” She explains, “Gesture normally. Your hands show your emotional state. When you close your hand, the amount of tightness and the way the fingers curve show how you feel about the topic. In an interview, you want to be open, not closed.”
 
Match and Mirror - Research shows that people hire people who are like them. Use body language to help convince your interviewer that you are a good fit. Wood suggests youmatch and mirror your interviewer enough briefly at the very beginning of the interview to make him comfortable with you. For example, lean slightly in the direction he is leaning, for instance, or match his smile with one of your own.”

Get Grounded - When the going get tough, the tough get grounded. Wood explains,When people are nervous, they tend to either move a lot or freeze. To overcome the toughest interview questions, put both feet firmly on the ground. This makes it easier to use both hemispheres of the brain— the rational and the creative-emotional. Or, if you feel yourself freeze, move your feet in some way.”

End Well - While first impressions are important, people will also remember the last thing you do or say. Wood suggests, “The last impression, the recencey effect is critical and can improve a bad first impression” As the conversation winds down, make sure your belongings are on the left side of your body so you can easily shake with your right hand. You may shake hands more than once — when you get up, at the door, and after talking for a bit longer while parting.” Even if the interview didn’t go as well as you might have liked, keep focused and poised until the end and you may be able to improve the impression you leave.

 
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

What Do Body Language Cues Mean?

Patti was interviewed by Grandparents.com to get an expert's advice on what body language cues mean.  Check the link below to find out what your family and friends are really saying with their body language!

http://grandparents.com/family-and-relationships/family-matters/reading-body-language

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

7 Signals Your Boss Hates You

                                                   7 Signals Your Boss Hates You
                             Body Language Cues of Dislike, Disrespect and Disgust
Body cues speak volumes, according to Patti Wood, body language expert and author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma.

Cues of dislike:

  • No mirroring of voice and body language. “When we like someone, we match and mirror there voice, tone, tempo and speaking rate…” and body movements too, says Wood, of snapfirstimpressions.com.
  • Neutral facial expression: No empathy or interest expressed in what you’re saying, “We often express interest through raised eye brows and smiles. Or facial expressions that appear to show the opposite emotional reaction to what you are saying.”
  • Eye rolling: A sign of contempt and disrespect for others.
  • Wrinkling of the nose: Indicates that something doesn’t smell right and can be an indication of disrespect.
  • Puts up barriers, for example, touches cell phone or sips out of coffee cup. “It says symbolically this object is more important than you are, it is what I want to touch and interact with,” says Wood.
                                         There are also gender specific cues

  • For a male boss. He stands facing you when giving you directions and sharing information: Standing side to side rather than face to face signifies that a man trusts you and is comfortable with you.
  • For a female boss. She doesn’t face towards you when you are speaking. Women face you to show they respect you and want to hear you. If she doesn’t like you, she may aim her body away from you, closes her hands and arms over her heart.

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

No cure for Paris- attention grabbers

"Though I often looked for one, I finally had to admit that there could be no cure for Paris." Part of it was the way. The world had ended once already and could again at any moment." This is the first line of the book, "The Paris Wife." a novel written from the perspective of Hemingway's first wife. It was an interesting story, that gives you an insight into the life of a partner of sometimes abusive and often passionate and drunk husband. Reread the opening sentence, as it this first line is a great example of a attention grabber opening.  I certainly agree with the lines sentiments as well. If you have spent time in a outdoor cafe in Paris after a fine meal or a good cup of coffee you return home aching to re experience the magic of Paris.


Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.
SNAP Book
 
From business meetings to social events to first dates to job
interviews, we all encounter new people every day. Our ability to read body cues and convey the right first impression drives the success and quality of our personal and professional lives. Body language expert Patti Wood, a sought-after consultant and speaker to Fortune 500 companies, helps businesses and individuals stand out, create profitable relationships, and thrive in competitive circumstances. Now she brings that knowledge to our daily lives, offering practical and proven guidance on accurately interpreting body cues and creating impressions both in person and digitally.

In SNAP you will learn how to:

• Give the first impression that you intend to give, in a
variety of circumstances

• Build your likability, credibility, and charisma

• Understand how power or the lack of it, is communicated

• Read people quickly and effectively

• Understand that you are constantly forming
“first impressions,” even with people you already know as you begin a new interaction with them

• Discover how to get that rare second chance at a first impression

• Make a good “tech impression” with today’s tech devices in
today’s many technological venues

• Recognize who you can really trust and how to be credible
yourself



Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.
http://www.grandparents.com/family-and-relationships/family-matters/reading-body-language Here is link to a piece I did last week.
How to Read Body Language

Six common body language cues and what they mean.

By Ashley Neglia



 
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

What is more important body language or facial expressions?



Body Language, Not Facial Expressions, Broadcasts What's Happening to Us

New research. Yesterday I was speaking during a discussion of Paul Eckman's wonderful research on facial expression about the importance of reading body language AND facial expressions when reading for emotional state to the members of CPA firm. Today I was called by the Chicago Tribune to comment on new research on body language showing emotional state. The study discussed in ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) says— If you think that you can judge by examining someones facial expressions if he has just hit the jackpot in the lottery or lost everything in the stock market -- think again. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at New York University and Princeton University have discovered that -- despite what leading theoretical models and conventional wisdom might indicate -- it just doesn't work that way.

Look at the faces and label each face with an emotion.
Expressions numbered 1,4,6 show tennis player's face on losing a point; expressions numbered 2,3,5 show a player after winning a point). Tests show that those looking at facial expressions alone cannot determine what the true emotion is. (Credit: Reuters: Used with permission

Body Language, Not Facial Expressions, Broadcasts What's Happening to Us

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) — If you think that you can judge by examining someone's facial expressions if he has just hit the jackpot in the lottery or lost everything in the stock market -- think again. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at New York University and Princeton University have discovered that -- despite what leading theoretical models and conventional wisdom might indicate -- it just doesn't work that way.

 
Rather, they found that body language provides a better cue in trying to judge whether an observed subject has undergone strong positive or negative experiences.
In a study published this week in the journal Science, the researchers present data showing that viewers in test groups were baffled when shown photographs of people who were undergoing real-life, highly intense positive and negative experiences. When the viewers were asked to judge the emotional valences of the faces they were shown (that is, the positivity or negativity of the faces), their guesses fell within the realm of chance.
The study was led by Dr. Hillel Aviezer of the Psychology Department of the Hebrew University, together with Dr. Yaacov Trope of New York University and Dr. Alexander Todorov of Princeton University.
In setting out to test the perception of highly intense faces, the researchers presented test groups with photos of dozens of highly intense facial expressions in a variety of real-life emotional situations. For example, in one study they compared emotional expressions of professional tennis players winning or losing a point. These pictures are ideal because the stakes in such games are extremely high from an economic and prestige perspective.
To pinpoint how people recognize such images, Aviezer and his colleagues showed different versions of the pictures to three groups of participants: 1) the full picture with the face and body; 2) the body with the face removed; and 3) the face with the body removed. Remarkably, participants could easily tell apart the losers from winners when they rated the full picture or the body alone, but they were at chance level when rating the face alone.
Ironically, the participants who viewed the full image (face and body) were convinced that it was the face that revealed the emotional impact, not the body. The authors named this effect "illusory valence," reflecting the fact that participants said they saw clear valence (that is, either positive or negative emotion) in what was objectively a non-diagnostic face.
In an additional study, Aviezer and his collaborators asked viewers to examine a more broad range of real-life intense faces. These included intense positive situations, such as joy (seeing one's house after a lavish makeover), pleasure (experiencing an orgasm), and victory (winning a critical tennis point), as well as negative situations, such as grief (reacting at a funeral), pain (undergoing a nipple/naval piercing), and defeat (losing a critical tennis point).
Again, viewers were unable to tell apart the faces occurring in positive vs. negative situations. To further demonstrate how ambiguous these intense faces are, the researchers "planted" faces on bodies expressing positive or negative emotion. Sure enough, the emotional valence of the same face on different bodies was determined by the body, flipping from positive to negative depending on the body with which they appeared.
"These results show that when emotions become extremely intense, the difference between positive and negative facial expression blurs," says Aviezer. "The findings, challenge classic behavioral models in neuroscience, social psychology and economics, in which the distinct poles of positive and negative valence do not converge."
Aviezer adds: "From a practical-clinical perspective, the results may help researchers understand how body/face expressions interact during emotional situations. For example, individuals with autism may fail to recognize facial expressions, but perhaps if trained to process important body cues, their performance may significantly improve."
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Rather, they found that body language provides a better cue in trying to judge whether an observed subject has undergone strong positive or negative experiences.
In a study published this week in the journal Science, the researchers present data showing that viewers in test groups were baffled when shown photographs of people who were undergoing real-life, highly intense positive and negative experiences. When the viewers were asked to judge the emotional valences of the faces they were shown (that is, the positivity or negativity of the faces), their guesses fell within the realm of chance.
The study was led by Dr. Hillel Aviezer of the Psychology Department of the Hebrew University, together with Dr. Yaacov Trope of New York University and Dr. Alexander Todorov of Princeton University.
In setting out to test the perception of highly intense faces, the researchers presented test groups with photos of dozens of highly intense facial expressions in a variety of real-life emotional situations. For example, in one study they compared emotional expressions of professional tennis players winning or losing a point. These pictures are ideal because the stakes in such games are extremely high from an economic and prestige perspective.
To pinpoint how people recognize such images, Aviezer and his colleagues showed different versions of the pictures to three groups of participants: 1) the full picture with the face and body; 2) the body with the face removed; and 3) the face with the body removed. Remarkably, participants could easily tell apart the losers from winners when they rated the full picture or the body alone, but they were at chance level when rating the face alone.
Ironically, the participants who viewed the full image (face and body) were convinced that it was the face that revealed the emotional impact, not the body. The authors named this effect "illusory valence," reflecting the fact that participants said they saw clear valence (that is, either positive or negative emotion) in what was objectively a non-diagnostic face.
In an additional study, Aviezer and his collaborators asked viewers to examine a more broad range of real-life intense faces. These included intense positive situations, such as joy (seeing one's house after a lavish makeover), pleasure (experiencing an orgasm), and victory (winning a critical tennis point), as well as negative situations, such as grief (reacting at a funeral), pain (undergoing a nipple/naval piercing), and defeat (losing a critical tennis point).
Again, viewers were unable to tell apart the faces occurring in positive vs. negative situations. To further demonstrate how ambiguous these intense faces are, the researchers "planted" faces on bodies expressing positive or negative emotion. Sure enough, the emotional valence of the same face on different bodies was determined by the body, flipping from positive to negative depending on the body with which they appeared.
"These results show that when emotions become extremely intense, the difference between positive and negative facial expression blurs," says Aviezer. "The findings, challenge classic behavioral models in neuroscience, social psychology and economics, in which the distinct poles of positive and negative valence do not converge."
Aviezer adds: "From a practical-clinical perspective, the results may help researchers understand how body/face expressions interact during emotional situations. For example, individuals with autism may fail to recognize facial expressions, but perhaps if trained to process important body cues, their performance may significantly improve."
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Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Top Behavioral Trends Scoped Out by Bloomberg Businessweek


Bloomberg Businessweek scoped out a bunch of stations around the area to survey the top behavioral trends, then turned to experts for commentary: body language experts Patti Wood (author of the newly released Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions…) was one of the body language experts they interview.  Check her insights below at the link!
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-19/from-the-front-lines-nycs-clogged-gas-stations

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Patti was a Guest on Conscious Talk Radio

Check the link below to hear Patti on Conscious Talk Radio discussing her new book, SNAP Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma.

http://conscioustalk.net/guest_detail.php?guest=1424

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Read Some Photos of Willow Smith for the Globe

I was sent photos by the Globe to give insight for this story

http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/10/23/willow-smith-i-hate-everybody-shirt-photo/

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Argo and Audience Interaction


Have you ever been to a movie where the entire audience applauded enthusiastically at the end of the story then all stayed through the ending credits and clapped again? I saw Argo a few weeks ago and really enjoyed the movie and the audience's response to it. Though my friend Jerry said I had to stop gasping so loud, I was not the only one who found it a emotionally gripping movie. This was one of those fantastic theater audience experiences. The Isopraxism as we pulled together and expressed the same emotions nonverbally made the movie more powerful. Yes, sometimes it is better to get of the comfy couch and go to the movies.

It is also great to see a movie about real heroes doing noble needs. Argo is a terrific movie. Here is the link to the trailer.Trailer


Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Patti Shares Five Tips from Snap on the CBS Show, The Talk

Check out the video at the link below to my SNAP website of my appearance on the CBS show, The Talk, this past Wednesday, November 7th.  On the show I discussed Five Tips from my recently released book SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma. 

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Body Language Insights of the President's Acceptance Speech


President Obama didn’t look like he was tired and notice how he comes on stage. See how his arms are dropped down but held up and are away from his sides and his hands appear to be heavy weights. He should be like a lion victorious. Hands hanging down below the waist indicate sadness, loss, depression. 

Compare that to the hands held high and long hand held high waving as he took the stage in his last acceptance speech. 

Also notice how he didn't come downstairs towards the audience showing power and confidence, a move that you typically see in winning candidates that I call the victory parade. He just tuned in place with his family. 

I loved how Obama's voice went low and warm as he talked about his wife Michelle Obama and I also was struck by the chronemics(the cues of time) Obama spent over a minute talking about her.  I'm actually amazed at the unusually large amount of time for an acceptance speech. He also paused for over 4 second after each comment he made about her. She has been supporting him behind the scenes in ways we don't know. He wanted her to know he truly appreciated it. It was not just for the cameras.

 
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Does Your Nose Shape Reflect Your Personality?

http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/body_language/nose_shape.htm

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Body Language of Leadership

So excited to see what the new MIT research will show it the best body language for leadership.


Body language cues to make you look powerful in an interview or meeting.

Today I was coaching a client for a job interview and we worked on 4 body language behaviors she used to look powerful and confident.

  1. Stay standing, or sit in the firmest seat or sit in readiness for action as you wait, if the waiting room seats make you look slouched or are awkward get out of the seat.
 
  1. Put your hand out first. In fact, when you see the interviewer turn towards then immediately and as you step forward raise your arm immediately as you step forward. This makes you look confident and insures you make significant eye contact rather than look down at your feet as you move forward.
 
  1. The next body language tip for looking powerful in an interview or meeting is to make significant eye contact before you sit down and again just as you sit down. This is very important for women, who tend to be distracted by their “stuff” and take a subordinate position and wait to make eye contact till after they are settled in and have arranged their purse, their coffee cup, their paper, their jacket, etc.

  1. Take up space as you sit down. The easiest way to do this is to have a leather bound case for your pad that you can open up so that your table top “foot” print is broad. The leather looks impressive and communicates status. It also keeps you from looking like a lower level person or secretary if you take notes.
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Why You Should Smile


New smile research shows how a man's smile affects a woman's first impression of him and what he may or may not be able to get away with.

http://news.menshealth.com/why-you-should-smile/2012/11/04/

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Check Out Patti's Insights on Body Language PLUS Much More!



Kristen Stewart Uncomfortable During Balenciaga Q & A — Expert Thu, October 18, 2012 6:44pm EST by Sandra Clark 15 Comments View Gallery→5 Photos During Kristen’s live interview Oct 18 discussing the new Balenciaga fragrance, she appeared self-critical and disapproving of herself, says top body language expert Patti Wood. HollywoodLife.com has all the EXCLUSIVE details on how Kristen really feels about herself. Kristen Stewart is known for being fidgety during interviews, however Body Language Expert Patti Wood says Kristen’s recent Q & A with Balenciaga reveals someone who is very nervous and insecure. World-renowned body language expert Patti Wood, who recently released her new book SNAP – Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma, tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively, “Kristen’s behavior during the interview indicates that she didn’t feel like she was doing a very good job. She was self-comforting throughout the entire Q & A.” “Several times Kristen put her index finger up to her bottom lip where there are tons of sensitive nerve endings. This gesture would stimulate endorphins, thus making her feel more at ease. She also touches her chin, almost rubbing it showing that she feels very uneasy and unsure of herself,” said Patti.“Kristen also feels the need to protect herself which is why she brushes the outside arm with her inside arm. This shows she wants to protect herself from the camera, the public. At one point, Kristen twists her head and brings her chin down and then sucks in her lips, again indicating that she is very uncomfortable, typically a shame gesture. She also touches her ear, another indication that she feesl like she isn’t doing a very good job.” “The rocking and running like motion of her foot is symbolic of running away from the interview. And the clicking sound she often makes when she finishes a sentence is a combination of disapproval and comforting herself.” “Kristen is trying really hard but feels like she is coming up short. If she had to grade herself on how well she did during the interview, she would have most likely given herself a ‘D’.” “Overall, it makes sense that Kristen would feel uptight and insecure because this is one of the first times she is talking in public since the whole cheating scandal on Robert Pattinson. She’s probably feeling judged and perhaps even thinking about Rob at times during the interview and wondering what her fans are thinking about the whole situation.” “For future interviews, I would advise Kristen to feel more comfortable and she can achieve this in different ways. I would suggest she wear clothing that is LESS revealing. I would suggest that she cover up her upper arms and lower legs a bit more so she doesn’t feel so exposed. I would have her do some positive self-talk prior any interviews. It’s also important for her to connect with the interviewer. She can do this by shaking hands or doing a kiss on both cheeks– something to show they are connected. This will help Kristen’s fans feel like they too are connected with her.”How do YOU feel, HollywoodLifers? Did Kristen appear unusually nervous and self-critical? 


Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart: Their Love Is Real, Say Experts Thu, October 18, 2012 10:09pm EST by Billy Nilles 23 Comments There has been a lot of speculation that Rob and Kristen were just pretending to promote the release of ‘Breaking Dawn: Part 2,’ however two body language experts tell us that their loving feelings are real! Read on for all the details. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart‘s reconciliation, after her tryst with Rupert Sanders, has happened just in time for the press tour for Breaking Dawn: Part 2 to begin — causing a lot of cynics to wonder if the reunion is solely a publicity stunt. With the arrival of new photos catching the two kissing at Kristen’s new house on Wednesday, Oct. 18, two experts in the field of body language assure us that this reconciliation is very real! Patti Wood, body language expert and author of SNAP – Making the Most of First Impressions Body Language and Charisma, spoke with HollywoodLife.com exclusively and analyzed the romantic photos, of Kristen, 22, and Rob, 26, exclusive to PopSugar. Reading Rob“Even though the photos are a little blurry and distorted, he is extraordinarily happy,” she says. “If you look, you can tell by the ways the eyes get smaller — that when you’re truly smiling. And the way his cheeks are lifted up, and even though he has all the stuff in his arms, he has a slight lean forward down to her which is really nice.”Absolutely Comfortable“[In] the kissing photo, I also really like how far over his shoulders are hunched towards her and surrounding her,” Patti continues. “He’s really reaching out and going over to her making an effort to her. Then I like the mutual hugging, the side hug. It’s really nice. I like two things: that he’s going up and over to hold her, that’s partly due to his height, but he’s absolutely comfortable and relaxed. This is where he feels most comfortable. He is absolutely comfortable with her. He’s not holding anything against her. Also, how gently he’s cradling her in. Her arm also isn’t only wrapped around him. She looks comforted by him and she is making an effort. If you look at the walking up the stairs photo. He’s pressed into her.”Genuine Emotion Patti concluded that nothing in these photos was forced or faked, it’s the real deal. “I think in his smile it’s absolutely genuine,” she says “Even though [his] mouth is closed, he’s really happy to see her. The comfort in the hug, that’s a hard thing to fake. It’s really genuine. The kiss isn’t a super sexy kiss, but it’s tension-free. He’s showing he’s not holding anything against her and he’s happy to see her.”A Changed Woman Dr. Lillian Glass, author of the book The Body Language Advantage, agrees with Patti. When she looked at the photos, her initial response was, “WOW! In the first photo he has a tight-lipped protective smile.”Dr. Glass read a bit into Kristen’s body language, seeing a changed woman. “In the second one, she is more agressive in her kiss and more responsive, as she has been so aloof in the past…in the third one, she is agressive as she clings to him and warpas her arms around him.”Do you think Rob and Kristen’s love is real, HollywoodLifers? PopSugarPatti Woods Website


http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/11/02/robert-pattinson-interview-mtv-first-insecure-body-language/

MTV Interview Threatened Robert Pattinson’s Masculinity — Expert Fri, November 2, 2012 10:16pm EST by Sandra Clark 28 Comments View Gallery→16 Photos Behind the smile and laughter, poor Rob was struggling with some confidence issues during his joint interview with Kristen on MTV, a top body language expert reveals to HollywoodLife.com Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart put on some brave faces during their first interview together on MTV. But was REALLY going on inside Rob’s head? According to one expert, Rob’s body language during his Nov. 1 interview showed us his more insecure, vulnerable side. Body language expert Patti Wood, who recently released the book SNAP- Making the Most of First Impressions Body Language and Charisma tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively, “At the beginning of the interview Robert Pattinson touched the zipper of his pants in a cover cue showing he felt that his masculinity was threatened by the prospect of this interview, and perhaps sitting by Kristen Stewart on national TV.” “Robert then hunched his shoulder over, hunkered his head down like a turtle and brought his legs together–a gesture cluster that showed he was a bit cold during this outside interview, and clearly would have preferred to hide out rather than be interviewed,” explained Patti. Do you think Rob looked uncomfortable during the interview? What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers?–Reporting by Sandra Clark

4 Subtle Signs Your Boss Hates You

by Ashley Insalaco August 26, 2012, 03:00 pm EST

Think your boss hates you? Here’s just one reason you need to know: Being paranoid at work causes your coworkers to dislike you, according to a study in the Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.

Researchers found that people who think their coworkers or bosses dislike them seek out information through spying or eavesdropping. This annoys their colleagues, causing your paranoid self to be rejected. (Layoff-proof your job—and even get a raise!—with these 30 Ways to Save More and Earn More.)

How do you know if you’re doing a good job without having an awkward talk with the head honcho? Here are a few ways to know the big cheese thinks you’re a block of lindberger.

1) He doesn’t move his coffee cup when you sit down
If your boss respects you, he won’t want anything between you when sitting across the table. He will unconsciously move his cell phone, coffee cup, or pen to the side so there is no blockade. “If something else is more important than you, or if they don’t want to engage with you, they’ll put up a barrier,” says Patti Wood, MA, Body Language Expert and author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma.

2) He stands facing you
When a male boss likes you, he will stand at your side to talk with you. Standing side-to-side rather than face-to-face means he trusts you. “That’s where guys feel the most comfortable, the safest, disclosed the most,” says Wood.

3) She aims her body away from you
Next time you step in your boss’s office, pay attention to how she moves. A person’s body windows are their toes, knees, pelvis, stomach, heart, throat, mouth, eyes, and palms of hands, says Wood. If she trusts you, she’ll be more likely to aim her body at you, keep her hands on the desk, and let her mouth slightly open.

MORE USEFUL STUFF



4) He only emails you
If your boss emails, calls, texts, and stops by your cube, that’s a good sign. An employer who likes you is more likely to communicate through all media platforms. Unlike the guy that he just wants emails from, he’s interested in what you have to say.


Is She Faking It?

by Ashley Insalaco August 23, 2012, 04:50 pm EST

He's a real king of comedy.

You tell a joke. She laughs. That means you’re funny, right? Not so fast: Social norms pressure people to laugh at jokes that aren’t exactly comedy-club-worthy, which results in overconfidence in your humor, according to a study presented at the American Psychological Association’s convention.

In the study, researchers had one person tell jokes while the other listened. When the two people were asked about the experience, the jokester thought he was hilarious. Meanwhile, the guy who listened thought the cracks fell flat—but laughed anyway. Researchers say people want to be polite, which leads to a lot of guys who think they’re funnier than they are.

So how can you be sure that your jokes actually deserve the laughs they’re getting? Decode your crowd’s facial expressions with the help of Patti Wood, M.A., body language expert and author of the book Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma. (And for more ways to sniff out people’s body language, read Marc Salem’s Mind Games blog.)

The Smile
After you crack a joke, look at her cheeks. If you’ve really made her smile, her cheeks will be higher with wrinkles around her eyes and forehead. Her eyes also become smaller—more almond shaped—with a real smile, says Wood.

Is she faking it? No wrinkles around the eyes or forehead equals no dice, Wood says. Also, study her lips—they’ll be tight and more pressed together if she’s not into it. The fake grin might also last longer, as if it’s painted on.

MORE USEFUL STUFF



The Laugh
With an authentic laugh, her head will go up so her chin is pointed at someone. Listen, too: A real laugh will fill her chest with air, creating a fuller sound.

Is she faking it? Detecting the phony laugh is two-fold. She’ll either freeze in place or move her body forward and down, says Wood. She’s also not really taking in any air, but rather compressing her body and moving it lower to the ground, like she’s ducking from something. (Probably those rotten tomatoes being hurled your way.)

Want a fool-proof way to crack her up for real? Emulate Jon Stewart. According to a 2011 survey from eHarmony, women are most attracted to men who use dry, saracastic humor. But save the morbid stuff: In the same survey, ladies were also least into guys with a dark sense of humor.


Interview Body Language Mistakes That Can Cost You The Job



 

You’ve sent in your perfectly manicured résumé and flawless cover letter. You’ve researched the company and gave brilliant responses to tough interview questions. You’re probably a strong candidate—but forget to smile, slouch in your chair or fail to make eye contact during the interview, and you could be out of the running.

A candidate can give out thousands of non-verbal cues within the first minute of meeting a hiring manager, and those messages make more of an impact than the words that you use during the interview,” says Patti Wood, a body language expert and author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma (to be released October, 2012). “Our body language says a lot about who we are and our emotional state, and poor body language often sends a message that we are stressed or fearful.”

Move up http://i.forbesimg.com tMove down

Wood says don’t wait until you’re in the hot seat to start focusing on your body language. Be aware of your posture, your facial expressions and your gestures from the moment you arrive.

Author and career expert Dan Burns agrees. “I try to stress to people that the first impression you make happens before you even sit down to interview,” he says. “The hiring manager will look at your face, your hair, what you’re wearing and the image you are projecting, all before you have had a chance to formally meet.”

Once the interviewer greets you, make eye contact and offer a palm-to-palm handshake that is not too strong and not too weak. Keep an appropriate distance as he or she greets you. Relax your body and smile. “Don’t freeze,” Wood says. “Candidates often stiffen up when they are walking in to an interview.”

Once you’re in the hot seat, find an appropriate place to set down your belongings. Don’t put your briefcase or purse on your lap or on the table. Sit up straight, avoid touching your face and hair, and don’t cross your arms or hide your hands. “Don’t be afraid to gesture,” Wood says. Gesturing shows that you’re enthusiastic and expressive. It can also help access more information in your brain and create vocal variation, she adds.

Power and confidence are typically conveyed through body language, and so are your stress level and how open and honest you are. “An employer will get a sense of who you are and how you will perform under pressure by assessing your body language before, during and after the interview,” Wood says.

“Interview body language mistakes may tell the hiring manager that you’re flippant, scared or passive,” she adds. “If you’re under-qualified or you say the wrong thing, the interviewer can forgive that, but if your body language says you’re a person who doesn’t work well in stressful situations or that you’re not confident, that’s something they know they can’t change.”

So how do you avoid making body language mistakes? With practice and preparation.

“Practice entering and leaving a room, think about where you will put your briefcase during the interview, and plan how you will say hello and goodbye to the interviewer,” Wood says.

Preparation for the interview often builds confidence, Burns says. When you’re confident, you tend to have fewer body language issues.

The hiring manager looks for ways to set a candidate apart from others, Burns says. “The negative differentiators, like poor and ineffective body language, help make the decision easy for the hiring manager.”


Here are some interview body language mistakes that could cost you a job offer.

Weak Handshake
Before you shake hands, rise, walk up to the hiring manager with confidence, make eye contact and smile.
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“Make sure your handshake is firm, but don’t crush the hiring manager’s hand,” says body language expert and author Patti Wood. “The secret to a great handshake is palm-to-palm contact. Slide your hand down into the web of theirs and make palm-to-palm contact. Lock thumbs with the hiring manager, and apply as much pressure as he or she does.” But remember that the appropriate pressure varies from culture to culture.

Invading Personal Space
Be respectful of the hiring manager’s personal space. Don’t stand too close and certainly don’t hug them.

Crossing Your Arms
That can make you look defensive or uncomfortable. Instead, gesture with your hands. That way you’ll appear more enthusiastic and engaging.

Playing With Your Hair
It’s a stress comfort cue that can make you look childish,” Wood says. You don’t want to distract the hiring manager with this body language gaffe.

Bad Posture
Sit up straight. “Asymmetrical body language can make you look confused or dishonest,” Wood says.

Lack Of Eye Contact
“It’s okay for the candidate to look away when he or she is talking,” Wood says. “It’s normal to look around when you’re speaking because you’re accessing different parts of the brain by moving your eyes. But be attentive and make eye contact when the interviewer is speaking.” Think of eye contact as a connection tool.

Looking Like You’re Not Interested
“It’s fine if you have an expressive face,” Wood says. “It makes you more likeable.” But be aware of your facial expressions, and don’t check your watch or your cell phone during the interview.

Not smiling
You can all too easily appear nervous or unfriendly. Smile, but keep it subtle.

Fidgeting
Don’t touch your face, play with change in your pocket or bite your nails. Fidgeting is a distraction and a sign of anxiety.

Hiding Your Hands
“Don’t sit on your hands or hide them in your lap,” Wood says. “Place them on the arms of your chair or the desk or use them to gesture. Gesturing makes you look more expressive, and the interviewer can read how open and honest you are by looking at your hands.”


Patti Wood


by Reality Tea on January 14th, 2012 491 Comments

 
They have been dubbed the ‘Fakest Family In America and now we have proof that not only are the Kardashians fake but their reality shows are also phony and staged!

While a new episode of Kourtney and Kim Take New York aired last Sunday, Kim Kardashian’s husband of 72 days, Kris Humphries, made the following cryptic tweet — “I can’t wait for the truth to come out! People will be surprised or maybe they won’t. #FCC.” This had many wondering what Kris could have been referring to and folks, I believe we have cracked the code.

The photos you’re seeing above of Kim and pimpmomager Kris Jenner were taken on December 6, 2011. The photo agency which snapped the pics stated Kim and Kris were leaving a studio in Los Angeles.

Does Kim outfit look familiar? It should because Kim is sporting the same exact outfit, same hairstyle and same makeup as she did in a scene that aired on KKTNY last Sunday which according to E! was filmed in Dubai… in October… weeks before Kim pulled the plug on her marriage.

In the scene, Kim tries to garner sympathy appear remorseful as she tells her mom she is having marital issues with hubby Kris. There’s only one problem folks: Kim filed for divorce on October 31 and it appears that “Dubai” scene was actually taped in Los Angeles on Dec. 6. Still having doubts? Well, feel free to check out the outfit Kris’ assistant is carrying behind her. Ding ding ding! It’s the SAME “Dubai” outfit plus Kris is still wearing the same earrings.

Wowzers. So this proves the Kardashians’ shows are as phony as the Kardashians. Furthermore, Kim and Kris actually filmed this scene last month to not only try to fool their audience, but to also try to make Kim a victim. Unfortunately for Kris Humphries, he didn’t get a chance to go back and film phony scenes to help his image.


Even before we were able to put two and two together with these images many were already doubting the authenticity of this “heart to heart” scene between Kim and mom Kris.

For starters, TheImproper blog via Perez Hilton points out that in the scene:

- Windows are totally blacked out

- No visible lights and the scene has low lighting

- Scene seems contrived, and could have been staged to gain sympathy for Kim

It gets even better as two body language experts for the HollywoodLife blog stated the scene was fake based on the body language and the reaction of Kris to Kim’s bombshell about her marital issues.

“[This seems] completely phony, staged and emotionless for someone who is not happy about a marriage,” Dr. Lillian Glass told the HollywoodLife. “Plus, Kris’ dialogue is just that like of a bad actress giving bad dialogue. There is too much pause time between the answers and her reaction shows no surprise and a matter of factness monotone — much like Kim’s indicative non-genuineness.”

Also, raising a red flag was Kris’ reaction to her daughter’s bad news. “She is smiling while her daughter is sharing this terrible news,” says body language expert Patti Wood. “This is not normal. She isn’t leaning toward Kim to show her support or trying to comfort her in any way.”

Still need more proof that the above photo of Kim was taken in December? UsWeekly did a story about Kim and that photo of her on December 7. The story also states Kim was snapped leaving a studio in LA on Dec. 6.

The actual clip of Kim and Kris’ phony heart to heart is below.

As for Kris Humphries, his family and friends have always insisted the show was fake and scripted including scenes which demonstrate Kris being a jerk or villain. “Little did Kris know that he was being set up,” his father, William Humphries, told Life & Style in November. “Kris got used — 100 percent used.”

To close out this story, SHAME on the Kardashians and SHAME on E!. It’s one thing to make a reality show and kind of create scenarios to make it more interesting, but to actually go back and act out FAKE scenes months after the fact is a new low. No word yet on how the Kardashians and E! will try to defend this.

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.