“We are always sending information,” said Joe Navarro. Navarro knows how much information we can learn through body movements, expressions, and voice. He also knows how careful we have to be when we read body language.
For example, let’s say your friend crosses their arms. You might think they’re angry. Or maybe your classmate coughs and you think they might be lying. But is it possible they have a cold?
According to Navarro, these are common false body language movements. Crossing the arms and coughing can both be calming or relaxing behaviors and are not always evidence of lying.
The meaning we give to others’ nonverbal communication can be very confusing. Let’s say you think someone is unfriendly because they do not smile a lot. But it’s possible that person could be more friendly than you think. Eastman says, “The first step in reading behavior is to really understand how often you’re just so wrong.”
Comprehension
1) What does Navarro say about body language information?
2) Can crossing arms and coughing always mean lying, according to Navarro?
3) What is Eastman’s suggestion for the first step in reading behavior?
Vocabulary
Match the words to the definition:
1) cough
2) lying (to lie)
3) have a cold
4) both
5) wrong
6) behavior (behaviour)
a) incorrect
b) to say something that is false
c) the way someone acts
d) a common where a person coughs a lot
e) To make a noise with your mouth when you are ill
f) the two options are true
Grammar Highlights
For comparatives, we use “more” with adverbs that have more than 1 syllable.
“…that person could be more friendly than you think.”
“Than” is correct. “Then” and “that” are incorrect.
“…that person could be more friendly then than you think.”
*This article was adapted from another article to make it more suitable for English learners. You can read the original article here.