Body language

If you're thinking about working internationally you should not only learn the right foreign language, you should also think about improving your intercultural body language.

Just remember that the wrong body language can send out the wrong messages: one reason why George Bush Senior may have lost the US presidential elections in 1992 was because he looked at his watch during the debate with Bill Clinton. A sure sign he was bored. And someone who is bored with debating has no place in the Oval Office.

In the 2008 presidential election, we also saw how body language can still make a difference to the results. John McCain's body language during the debates often showed that he did not like Barack Obama at all. As CNN points out, there was "disdain from McCain". His smile was not at all natural, but was in fact closer to a grimace. He showed contempt, not respect for his opponent. This video compares McCain's smile to Obama's. 

Of course, the candidate's body language didn't decide the election, but it did show a side of the two men that some people may not have liked.

Find out if you know how to make the right signs in an international context by doing our short quiz. 

Deborah Capras