Funny Wedding Toast - The Power of a Pause in Your Presentations

I coached a client who was giving the wedding toast for his daughter’s wedding. We worked on his content and delivery so the wedding toast would be both touching and amusing. Afterwards I asked him, “What was the best part?” 

He replied, “The funniest part of the toast was never expected.  My toast was after dinner before the cutting of the cake.  The toast was going great between laughter and a few tears.  I got to the part, “My wish to both of you is to have a love story like my Mother and Father in law. Amanda’s Grandparents tonight are celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary! How exciting to share the same wedding date!"  

My father in-law stood up slowly on one side of the room and then my mother in-law stood up on the opposite side of the room and the crowd just laughed.  The expression on my mother in-law was priceless. 

I just thought of the power of the pause for humor and gave a long pause.  Everyone kept laughing.

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.

Can You Send a Text to Communicate a Death?

With the addition of technology, we now have many ways to communicate a message. We need to be smart about the choices we make. Because there are more ways to put your message across, it is easier to make the wrong choice.  For example, if you are delivering a message that may elicit a strong emotional response in the receiver you should not use a text or email to transmit it. It is not just unprofessional; it can be unfeeling and cowardly. I was appalled to find out that in the Malaysia Airlines disaster, the airline officials sent a text message to the passenger’s families to tell them flight MH370 ended up in the Indian Ocean. They couldn't make a phone call?!


You may think that at work you have given out a lot of information and data to be credible. The amount is less important than what you say and how you say it. When you speak in person it is an opportunity to see and hear what emotion or emotions the person or people you are communicating with have, as well as an opportunity for you to acknowledge their emotions and if you need to shift the way they think, feel and act. 

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 Read of Rob Pattinson and FKA Twigs

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 Read of Bethenny Frankel and Mac

In the bathing suit shot above, I love that they are facing towards each other with all the lower body windows open to each other. I also like how the very strong Bethenny has her hands resting on his shoulders in a way that shows she is beginning to trust and rely on him. Wish they were looking in each other eyes.  I give this couple a 4 on Life & Style's True Love Rating Scale. 

The above photo of them walking ( love the red boots) I like that they are on the same walking plane, neither one ahead of the other. (Bethenny is typically a walk in front person in a couple). I also like how his arm is reaching out to touch her. I like that her purse is on the outside. But they are not close together so I give them a 3 on Life & Style's True Love Rating Scale.

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 Read of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone

I did a body language read of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone for Life & Style today which will appear in an upcoming Life & Style.  Below are my reads of this couple.





















In the top photo even though they are walking far apart they have a wonderful interlaced hand hold. Their heads are down facing toward the camera rather than down as reflective of their relationship. 
I give them a 3























The second photo is interesting his forward position and intensity seem to be for the camera.  He is pushing her back.  Her fist could be meant for him or for the photographer but she is not as accepting of the kiss as I would like. 
I give them a 4.



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.