If you say the word "communication", most people think of words and sentences. Although they are very important, we communicate with more than just spoken and written words. Indeed, body positions are part of what we call "body language". We see examples of unconscious to culture.

We are "learned" body language when we are introduced to strangers. Like other animals we are on guard until we know it is safe to relax. So every culture has developed a formal way to greet strangers, to show them we are not aggressive traditionally. Traditionally, Europeans and Americans shake hands. They do this with the right hand—the strongest hand for most people. If our right hand is busy greeting someone, it cannot be holding a weapon. If you shake hands with someone, you show you trust them. We shake hands when we make a deal. It means “We agree

and we trust each other”.

Greeting in Asian countries do not involve touching the other person, but they always involve the hands. Traditionally in China, when we greet someone, we put the right hand over the left hand and bow slightly. Muslims give a “salaam”, where they touch their heart, mouth and forehead.Hindus join their hands and bow their hands in respect. In all of these examples, the hands are busy with the greeting and cannot hold a weapon.

Even today, when some people have very informal styles of greeting, they still use their hands as a gesture of trust. American youth often greet each other with the expression, “Give me five! ”One person then holds up his hand, palm outwards and five fingers spread. The other person raises his hand and slaps the other’s open hand above the head in a “high five”. Nowadays, it is quite a common greeting.

Body language is fascinating for anyone to study. People give away much more by their gestures than by their words. Look at your friends and family and see if you are a mind reader.

【教学实录】

Step 1 Pre-reading

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