open, palms up, signifying acceptance of the ideas theyre expressing? Or
are you making a slight fist, knuckles out, signaling rejection? They
scrutinize your
face for the split seconds you break eye contact when discussing
relevant subjects like your feelings on big awards for damages or the death
penalty. Sometimes attorneys bring along a legal assitant whose sole job is
to sit on the sidelines and take precise note of your every fidget.
An interesting aside: trial lawyers often choose women to do this
twitch-and-turn spying job because, traditionally, females are sharper
observers of subtle body cues than males. Women, more sensitive to
emotions than men, often ask their husbands, Is something bothering you,
Honey? (These supersensitive women accuse their husbands of being so
insensitive to emotions that they wouldnt notice anything is wrong until
their neckties are drenched in her tears.)
The attorney and the assistant then review your score on the dozens of
subconscious signals you flashed. Depending on their tally, you could find
yourself on jury duty or twiddling your thumbs back in the jurors waiting
room.
Trial lawyers are so conscious of body language that, in the 1960s
during the famous trial of the Chicago Seven, defense attoney William
Kuntsler actually made a legal objection to Judge Julius Hoffmans posture.
During the summation by the prosection, Judge Hoffman leaned forward,
which, accused Kuntsler, sent a message to the jury of attention and interest.
During his defense summation, complained Kuntsler, Judge Hoffman
leaned back, sending the jury a subliminal message of disinterest.
Youre on Trialand You Only Have Ten Seconds
Like attorneys deciding whether they want you on their case, everybody
you meet makes a subconscious judgment on whether they want you in
their lives. They base their verdict greatly on the same signals, your body-
language answer to their unspoken quetion, Well, how do you like me so
far?
How to Win Their Heart by Responding to Their Inner Infant 23
The first few moments of your reactions set the stage upon which the
entire relationship will be played out. If you ever want anything from the
new acquaintance, your unspoken answer to their unspoken question, How
do you like me so far? must be, Wow! I really like you.
ooja
(Ooja)
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