The Smallest Gesture Speaks Volumes

by Colleen P Moyne (Colmo) (follow)

insight (28)      understanding (16)      control (11)     

Have you ever been in conversation with someone and right in the middle of it, they look at their watch? Now I don’t know about you, but I take that as a signal that they've had enough. It’s a simple gesture but it shows that they are no longer engaged in the conversation.

How about the rolling of eyes or the raised eyebrow that tells you they disapprove of someone’s behaviour or comments. I've seen that look many times at board meetings.


The smallest gesture can have a profound impact if delivered at a crucial moment. It can be a wrinkling of the nose, a pursing of the lips or a shrug of the shoulders. Most of these actions are construed as negative and need no words to convey exactly what is meant.


While a wink can express something positive when given in an affectionate or humorous way, a certain Prime Minister recently came under fire for his poorly timed attempt. We need to realise the power that small gestures can wield and not use them lightly.

I remember as a teenager bringing my new boyfriend home to visit my mother. As we sat together holding hands he began to rub his thumb on my palm. I thought nothing of it except that it felt nice. I couldn't understand why my mother suddenly got up from her chair, went to her room and slammed the door. It wasn't until much later that she told me (quite hysterically) that that simple hand movement was supposedly a signal that he wanted …ahem…you know what. I was surprised. I don’t think my boyfriend knew what it meant and I certainly didn't. I have never heard of it before or since and I wonder to this day how my mother knew of it!


It goes to show that simple gestures can be misleading. A touch, a flick of the hair, a lick of the lips or a smile can be taken for flirting. A yawn or squint can indicate boredom. Biting the lip or clenching the fists can be taken for anger and a finger to the lips is quite obviously a signal to shut up!


So be aware of the messages you’re sending with those small gestures. You might just get yourself into trouble!


#understanding
#control
#insight

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