【推荐1】A Universal Greeting: Shaking Hands

A handshake seems to be a normal gesture. In fact, in the 9th century BC, an ancient site during the ruling of Shalmaneser III clearly shows two figures holding hands.The Iliad,usually dated to the 8th century BC, mentions that two characters “taking each other's hands and expressing their loyalty," Centuries later, Shakespeare once wrote of two characters who shook hands and swore to be brothers in the bookAs You Like It.Shaking hands seems to be an ancient custom whose roots have disappeared in the sands of time.

Historians who have studied ancient etiquette books note that the modern handshake did not appear until the middle of the 19th century, when it was considered a slightly inappropriate gesture that could only be used between friends. But what if Shakespeare had written about handshaking hundreds of years earlier?

According to author Torbjorn Lundmark in hisTales of Hi and Bye: Greeting and Parting Rituals Around the World,the problem comes in differing definitions of the handshake. The early handshakes mentioned above were part of making deals or peace; King Shalmaneser 111 referred to a rebellion in which he signed a treaty with the King of Babylon. In theIliad,Diomedes and Glaucus shook, hands when they realized they were guest-friends, and Diomedes declared: "Let's not try to kill each other." Shakespeare was similarly referencing settlement of a conflict.

The modern handshake as a form of greeting is harder to trace. As a Dutch sociologist Herman Roodenburg — the chief authority for the history of handshaking — wrote in a chapter of ananthologycalledA Cultural History of Gesture,“More than in any other field, that of the study of gesture is one in which the historian has to make the most of only a few clues”.

One of the earliest clues he cites is a 16th-century German translation of the French writer Rabelais'sGargantua and Pantagruel.When one character meets Gargantua, Rabelais writes, “He was greeted by countless hugs and countless good days." But according to Roodenburg, the 16th-century German translation added references to shaking hands.

A popular saying suggests that Cleland's statements against bowing were actually a wish to go back to a potentially traditional method of greeting in Europe. As the centuries progressed, handshaking was replaced by more hierarchical ways of greeting — like bowing. According to Roodenburg, handshaking survived in a few remote places, like in Dutch towns where some would use the gesture to make peace after disagreements. Around the same time, those who valued equality also made use of handshaking. Then, as the Continent's hierarchy was weakened, handshaking became a common practice among people of the same rank, as it is today.

【推荐2】Words are powerful: they have the ability to lift up the lowest of the low or tear down the highest of the high. But a strong argument could be made that our body language is even more influential. The most effective communication occurs when the importance of body language in teaching is acknowledged. When these nonverbal signals are working together with our words, it creates communication synergy.

It has been suggested that two-thirds of our communication is nonverbal. Positive body language in a classroom setting has the ability to motivate, inspire and engage. It can not only give you the confidence you need to teach but can also inform your students that you actually know what you’re talking about. It can even make your students feel safe and confident enough to participate in the lessons more frequently.

Most leadership positions encourage body language that shows power and confidence. Signals include standing tall, gesturing only from the waist up, head straight and forward, and talking while pointing to others, which are obvious ways to exercise control. But when teaching, the nonverbal signals need to show a different type of leader. These signals convey warmth and understanding, reminding your students that you are approachable and there to help them grow. For example, fix your eyes on one student for about 15-30 seconds before changing to another student, which is one of the best ways to keep students’ focus. Nod your head. Give a thumbs up—maybe two! Show them they are on the right path and they will be more confident in continuing down it.

The importance of body language can never be ignored. It’s desirable that you should advocate using body language in teaching and pay attention to the use rule and using skills. You should use right, natural and clear body language. It’s crucial that you create good classroom atmosphere, inspire students’ imagination and grasp students’ mood.

【推荐3】Body language mistakes you should avoid at work

Communication is not only about words but also gestures. Therefore, you should be careful about how you use your body when expressing yourself.

Avoiding eye contact (接触)

When speaking with a workmate, avoiding eye contact makes you look unprofessional (不专业的).     1     Therefore, you should always keep eye contact especially when you are making a point.

Crossing your arms

Crossing your arms shows that you are not open to others and that you want to defend (防御) yourself.     2     In order to give others a warm feeling, just keep your arms open.

Checking the time

Checking the time every few minutes makes people feel you are in a hurry or would rather be somewhere else.     3     Therefore, when you are speaking to your workmates, try not to look at the clock very often.

Bad body posture

Having a bad posture such as dropped shoulders or a lower neck can mean that you are not interested in what is going on around you.     4     Also, keep your head high.

Weak handshake

A weak handshake means that you don′t care much about the person you are shaking hands with. Try to greet the people with a firm (有力的) handshake. However, don′t forget that a handshake that is too firm can be impolite.     5