Right.. You've exactly 10 seconds to impress a total stranger.

Without saying a word

You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Create a good first impression and the relationship grows from there.
Create a bad first impression and your relationship with that person can be an uphill battle

Studies show that when we communicate, understanding and judgement comes from:

From words - Words are only labels and listeners put their own interpretations on them.

From paralinguistic- The way in which something is said - accent, tone, inflection, etc.

From body language - What the speaker looks like and does with his/her body.

Understanding Body Language can mean the difference between making a great impression, a bad one, or (arrgh!) none at all!
The outcome of a job interview, presentation, meeting, or even date, could depend on your body language

First impressions are more important than ever.

We're all image conscious today. Our hair, clothes, grooming and shape have a powerful effect on how others perceive us.

Body Language
Advantage Most visible aspect of communication, helps in decoding the message It helps in establishing a rapport It adds intensity to the process of communication Limitations
It cannot be wholly relied upon, as body language cannot be always taken seriously It differs according to cultural difference Some times it becomes inefficient in face to face situations

Body Language from Head to Toe

The eyes which represent the windows of the soul bespeak of the condition and state of the mind

Is she happy, sad, scared, pleasantly surprised..?

What do you see in this picture

Eye Contact
Direct eye contact is a compliment to most people and builds trust in you. Research reveals we look more at people we like! Talking one-to-one, establish comfortable eye contact without staring. In a group, make contact with each person. It is not for nothing that the eyes are called the windows to a persons soul.

Eye contact creates a strong connection between two people and also creates an impression of sincerity and trustworthiness.
Look at a person when being introduced to him/her, maintain the eye contact even while speaking. Eye contact with another person shows your interest in him/her. It also forces you to pay attention to what s/he is saying. Make soft eye contact, i.e. look into the other persons eyes, and then shift your gaze to other parts of the persons face occasionally.

While speaking with a group of people, look at one person for a few seconds and then shift your gaze to another. Making eye contact does not mean that you try and stare a person down with an intense pupil-to-pupil gaze. Staring at a person is the quickest way of making him uncomfortable and so, putting him on the defensive

STARING AT A PERSON WHEN SPEAKING WITH HIM

Face is the index of mind

Facial Expression
Probably the most important area in non verbal communication. The face conveys emotions with far greater precision than words alone. Observing movements of the mouth and eyebrows together with changes in skin colour and perspiration level can indicate feelings, such as anger, happiness, distrust, interest etc.

Postures and Gestures

Postures and Gestures In other words, hand and arm gestures, body position and movements

Some of us are natural gesticulators and make great use of our hands and arms to illustrate what we 're saying, while others make only limited use.

Gestures confirm emotions and help us question and gather information. Body position and sitting /standing tell us how comfortable a person is in a situation.

Shoulders
Interested people always pay attention and lean forward. Leaning backwards says aloofness or rejection. How close you stand to a person also sends messages

Limbs

Keep arms, legs, and feet relaxed and uncrossed, and jacket open, to say 'I am being open and honest with you . It is very easy to misinterpret body language, so watch out! Someone crossing his arms could be defensive or may simply find it comfortable!

Last but definitely not the least, don't blow it with a dead fish handshake. Get a grip!

STRONG GRIP

HAND SHAKE

 your hand shake provides clues to your personality.

This negates his dominant act and keeps her in equal control.
Aggressive people have firm handshakes. People with low self esteem often have a limp handshake. Domineering men often squeeze the hand of women during a greeting.

The clever woman moves her index and little finger in toward her palm preventing a crushing handshake.

Politicians typically shake hand with their other hand covering the shake or holding your elbow.

 An open hand, eye contact and a smile are a good way to establish a positive contact.

But...
The extended thumb and the stretcheddirected palm resembles a pistol and thus conveys aggression

Dead-Fish
The hand-shake no one likes: The "Dead-Fish" hand shake: No one likes the soggy, lifeless, fish-like touch.

So adopt a handshake that is firm, yet not crushing. Convey confidence and professionalism, not dominance.

THE WET HANDSHAKE

There are many repulsive handshakes, the wet one probably being the worst handshake around, so try to keep your palms dry. People get nervous, especially before an interview, so just remember to keep your hands dry and wipe your sweaty palms.

Here are two tips in order to keep your hands dry. 1. Wash your hands before going to the interview and keep your palms open until the time comes to shake hands with the employer. Make sure not to close your fists, because that's what generates the heat and sweat.

2. Wipe your hands before the handshake. Carry a Kleenex to wipe your hands, as this will help you absorb the excess moisture and allow you to give a dry handshake

Soft handshake
A soft handshake demonstrates

1. weakness, 2.lack of confidence, 3. lack of interest, and 4.lack of masculinity.

These are obviously the opposites of power and strength, important attributes in respected and successful people.

If you do have a weak handshake, firm it up. This will definitely leave a better impression every time you shake hands. Pay attention to how much pressure is applied by the receiver and notice if your handshake is firm enough, then adjust yours accordingly.

 Someone takes your four fingers, not allowing you to really lock your hand with theirs, and then squeezes your hand hard. That is really frustrating and should be avoided. This can happen easily when rushed or simply by accident. You should apologize and ask the person for a second handshake. It might sound awkward, but people actually remember this and will appreciate the respect derived from a real quality handshake.

Egoistic shake
This type of handshake is classic. You know how guys and their egos are; they have to be the strongest male around. Some guys really like to squeeze your hand as if it was a lemon. Hand shake has to be comfortable to the receiver to some degree. Bone crushers absolute no no.

 Kids twiddling, slapping, clicking, and dancing with their fingers, and they actually consider these handshakes. Please grow up. No more hocus pocus; a simple, firm handshake, will do fine.

A handshake is a very simple gesture, but can be a determining factor in interviews and social gatherings. Just make sure you firmly shake the person's hand and look at them straight in the eye. This is a simple, yet effective tip which will hopefully allow you to make a great first impression.

Fifteen Ways to use it effectively

1. Smile....a real smile starts in the heart, shows on the lips and then around the eyes. What you thought were wrinkles are really positive attitude indicators.

2. Shake hands A good handshake consists of a full hand clasp, shaking two or three times. No bone crushers or limp handshakes.

3. Use good direct eye contact. It adds to your believability and your credibility.

4. Show sincere interest in the person you are meeting.

what was her name????

5. Remember names A person's name is the most important word he hears and instantly captures his attention.

6. Think, act and look happy and successful.

7. Everyone likes a winner. Think, act and behave like a winner.

8. Dress to be included. It's not right or wrong but what is appropriate that counts. You're in the business of living. Great clothes are a necessity of life.

9. The better your exterior looks the more confident your interior becomes.

10. Darker colored clothing will give you more visual power, presence and credibility.

11. To look taller and thinner, use the one color dressing technique.

12. For more powerful body language, use smooth, open-handed gestures.

13. Take a positive, enthusiastic approach to life. Never complain, never explain.

14. Be well spoken and give sincere compliments.

15. You are known by the company you keep and the places you frequent.

Body don'ts
a. Darting eyes, b. palms not visible, c. shifting from foot to foot, d. hand covering mouth or ear tugging are real give-away. e. Touching your face or playing with hair

f. looking away or hesitating before or while speaking

It only takes a moment to form an impression of someone. And this impression can last years.