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The Book of Tells (Peter Collett)[unlocked]

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THE BOOK OF TELLS<br />

As we saw in the last chapter, the meaning <strong>of</strong> nodding<br />

depends on its tempo, with slow nodding conveying<br />

agreement, and rapid nodding signalling either enthusiastic<br />

agreement or impatience and a desire to take<br />

over the role <strong>of</strong> speaker. Head-shaking also conveys<br />

different messages, depending on how rapidly the head is<br />

moved from side to side. When the head is shaken rapidly<br />

it shows that the listener disagrees with the speaker and<br />

would like to take over the speaker role. When the head is<br />

shaken slowly it can convey an entirely different meaning.<br />

If, for example, the listener has just told an incredible story<br />

and the listener responds by shaking his head slowly, it<br />

demonstrates that the listener shares the speaker's<br />

incredulity, and implies that the listener doesn't want to<br />

assume the speaker role.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are three other ways that the listener can show<br />

that he or she does not want the floor. <strong>The</strong> first is by producing<br />

an 'attentiveness display'. By remaining silent,<br />

orienting towards the speaker, and gazing intently at the<br />

speaker, the listener can show that he or she is interested<br />

in what the speaker has to say and therefore has no desire<br />

to take over the speaker role. <strong>The</strong> second is by producing<br />

an 'unintention display'. Unintention displays are the<br />

opposite <strong>of</strong> 'intention displays'. For example, if you're<br />

listening to someone and you want to say something you<br />

can usually request the floor by producing an intention<br />

display, like leaning forward, lifting a finger or opening<br />

your mouth slightly. <strong>The</strong>se movements get the message<br />

across because they are preparatory to speaking.<br />

Unintention displays, on the other hand, consist <strong>of</strong> actions<br />

that hinder your ability to speak, like folding your arms,<br />

pressing your lips together or placing a hand or a finger<br />

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