Patti Wood Body Language Expert Blog

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.

http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2009-03-11/reading-the-body-language-of-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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/10/18/kristen-stewart-balenciaga-interview-awkward-uncomfortable-body-language/

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?

http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/10/18/kristen-stewart-robert-pattinson-love-real-kissing-pics-body-language/

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? PopSugar➚Patti Wood’s 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

http://news.menshealth.com/4-subtle-signs-your-boss-hates-you/2012/08/26/

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.

http://news.menshealth.com/is-she-faking-it/2012/08/23/

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.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/08/20/interview-body-language-mistakes-that-can-cost-you-the-job-2/

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.”

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.”

In Pictures: Body Language Mistakes That Could Cost You The Job

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.

“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.”

http://www.realitytea.com/tag/patti-wood/

Patti Wood

PHOTOS – Proof That Kim Kardashian’s Reality Show Is Fake! Scene With Kris Jenner Was Staged

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.

KHLOE KARDASHIAN’S STEPMOMS SAY SHE’S NOT A REAL KARDASHIAN!

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.

3 Times When It's OK to Fake a Smile

In my new book SNAP I talk about the benefits of smiling. This article suggests the reasons

you might want to fake a smile.

3 Times When It's OK to Fake a Smile

Don't worry, we won't tell.

By Mandy Oaklander in prevention magazine

It's easy to smile when your husband cooks you dinner for the first time in a year, or your puppy wakes you up from a siesta looking especially fetching. But what about those moments when you least want to put on a happy face?

Decades of research, including one brand-new study, show that smiling does a body all kinds of good, but even more interesting: You don't actually have to mean it. Check out the 3 best times to fake a smile.

Stress

1. When You're Stressed

Even when your heart's not in it, smiling lowers your heart rate and mitigates stress, found a new University of Kansas study to be published in Psychological Science.

Researchers taught volunteers how to arrange their faces in a variety of ways: With genuine smiles, fake smiles, neutral expressions, and with chopsticks propping their mouths open into forced grins. Then, the participants performed a series of stressful tasks—like plunging a hand into a bucket of ice water—all while maintaining their assigned facial expression. Those who smiled in any manner, even when it was fake or forced by chopsticks, had lower heart rates than those with neutral expressions.

In other words, smiling during stress helps lower the body's stress response, regardless of how happy you actually feel.

2. When You're Bummed

Smiling isn't just good stress relief; it can actually make you happier—especially if you have Botox. A 2009 experiment at the University of Cardiff in Wales gave two groups of women—one with Botox injections, one without—a questionnaire about their depression and anxiety. Those with Botox (who physically couldn't frown) were significantly happier with lower anxiety and depression than the other group, who did not have Botox and could frown. Importantly, the Botox group didn't report feeling any more attractive, so an increase in attractiveness couldn't account for the happiness gap.

Though Botox does seem to lift more than your lines, we're not necessarily advocating a massive Botox spree. Giving a good, old-fashioned fake grin has the same effect, smile lines and all.

3. When You've Been Naughty

Uh. Oh. Your husband caught you red-handed buying another pair of shoes from your already-stretched joint bank account, without discussing it first. What's the first thing you should do when you're busted? Crack a smile.

In a 1995 study, Boston College researchers found that when transgressors smile, their punishers tend to be more lenient. Subjects were shown photos of people who were potentially guilty of an academic violation. Smiling targets were punished less leniently, even though they weren't seen as less guilty. It didn't matter whether the smile was genuine or fake: Targets who smiled were perceived as more trustworthy.

Patti Wood Body Language Expert Blog

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Does Your Nose Shape Reflect Your Personality?

Body Language of Leadership

Why You Should Smile

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

3 Times When It's OK to Fake a Smile

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