VIP Class Notes (Lily) [S+R]

write about ” How has body language affected/ influenced you in your daily life/ work?”

Grammar

the meeting is smooth–> the meeting went smoothly.
I used in the marketing function–> I used to be in the marketing department. 

Pronunciation

short vowel: a, e, I, o, u
leg= short e sound

When we communicate with others, we express our thoughts and feelings not only through the words we choose, but also through our tone of voice, facial expression and body language. In fact, many communications experts believe that far more information is communicated non-verbally (without words) than verbally (with words). “Body language” is an important part of non-verbal communication.

Body language includes many different aspects of our every day physical behaviour: the way we greet one another; how we stand, how we sit or walk; the way we position our arms and legs or use our hands and eyes are some of the most basic.

Body language includes many different aspects of our every day physical behaviour: the way we greet one another; how we stand, how we sit or walk; the way we position our arms and legs or use our hands and eyes are some of the most basic.

To learn another language is more than just learning words and grammar, it involves learning about another culture, too. We learn much of our own culture’s body language before we learn to speak, from the time we are children, usually without even being aware of it.  And that body language varies from culture to culture, so it’s something to which second language learners should pay attention.

So, how attuned are you to other people’s body language?  Try this little experiment.  Turn the volume on the television right down while you watch people interact on the screen. You may find it is more difficult to understand what’s happening between people from unfamiliar cultures.

Sometimes, cultural differences in appropriate body language can cause discomfort or misunderstandings too. For example, there are definite cultural differences in how much distance should be kept between two people who are speaking together. If you are used to people keeping their distance, you will feel very uncomfortable, and probably move away repeatedly, if someone keeps trying to stand closer to you at a party!  We call this the “personal comfort zone”.

There’s a very famous casein Japan. A couple traveled to Japan, and bought ice-cream in convenient store. The cashier told them it’s not ok to eat here, you have to eat outside. The Chinese couple yelled out and behaved badly. They are interviewed why you do this, and they said “the cashier is not polite with us, I think they have problems with Chinese”. After I saw this news, I think I know why. I can imagine the cashier put hand like this (crossed arms), and asked them to go out. I guessed that’s the cause. Japan visa to Chinese people to quite strictly scrutinized. Most people who are go to Japan are well-educated with proper job. I don’t think the Chinese couple would punch the cashier out of nothing, I think it’s the culture difference, especially the body language difference.

Revised

There’s a very famous case in Japan. A couple traveled to Japan, and bought ice-cream in the convenient store. The cashier told them it’s not ok to eat here, you have to eat outside. The Chinese couple yelled back and behaved badly/inappropriately. They were interviewed on why they did this, and they said “the cashier is not polite to us, I think they have problems with Chinese”. After I saw this news, I think I know why. I can imagine the cashier puts her hands like this (crossed arms), and asked them to go out. I guessed that’s the cause. The Japanese visa is quite strictly scrutinized. Most people who could go to Japan are well-educated with proper jobs. I don’t think the Chinese couple would punch the cashier out of nothing, I think it’s due to the culture difference, especially the body language difference.