Understanding body language

In short: Body language includes facial expressions, gestures, posture and distance, and often conveys more than spoken words. It can be deliberately observed and used.

In more detail: Popular science often exaggerates studies on body language; sweeping interpretations should be treated with caution.

In detail

• Facial expressions: Basic emotions such as joy, anger or surprise appear similarly across many cultures.
• Gestures: Hand movements support or replace spoken language.
• Posture: Open posture appears approachable, crossed arms can signal distance.
• Distance: Personal space differs depending on culture and relationship.
• Context matters: Individual signals alone say little, the overall picture counts.
• Your own effect: Deliberate body language can strengthen self-confidence (selbstbewusstsein-staerken).
• Beware of overinterpretation: Not every crossing of arms means rejection (smalltalk-und-networking-tipps).