There is evidence that doing so helps us find the right words. Your hands should do their speaking on a higher plane, at the level of the gut, the heart, or the head--where they can do their best work, adding passion to your message. 37. Hold a balloon string. However, there are many ways your hands can damage your ability to be an effective speaker. 33. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe. I'm flippin' the Chairman the bird." We're Americans--we gesture when we speak. Here they are, in no particular order. ©2020 Pump energy and life into your hands to demonstrate your bias for action. Public speaking can make anyone feel awkward. is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. You use them for almost everything, from simply grasping your breakfast spoon to writing letters. They will provide visual evidence that you are present in your body and confident in your thoughts. When you are a public speaker, your hands will be your allies if you allow them to participate as co-communicators. A squirrel-paw speaker doesn't look like he can get anything done. Use your whole hand when pointing, not a single finger. 36. Knit a scarf. Snap your fingers. Okay, you can do it now and then, but if you do it all the time you look like you're protecting yourself, or being a goodie-goodie. The squirrels were tame, and stood on their hind legs with their paws hanging in front of their chests. The late & great Christopher Hitchens said, "If you can give a decent speech in public or cut any kind of figure on the podium, then you never need dine or sleep alone." Clutch your pearls. Give your knuckles a good crack, because there are tons of creative ways to have fun using just your two five-fingered friends. Mashable, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Your hands are two of the most complex and useful part of your body. If you are twisting your rings, I am going to assume that you have no need for random dinner partners or overnight guests, and that you are simply nervous. 38. When I was a very young child, my uncle took me to the Central Park Zoo to feed peanuts to squirrels. Your hands are two of the most complex and useful part of your body. Sometimes we just want to have some fun with our hands in a way that shows off their flexibility and versatility. Card playing and quilting bees are two cases in point. It is interesting that conversing with a circle of friends is easier when our hands are busy. This Juggling Group Will Have You Second Guessing Your Hobbies. Crack open some pistachios. 40. 35. When Professor William McNeil tied speakers' hands behind their backs, they took longer than usual to find the right words. I suggest you put that energy to better purpose by recruiting your hands to put life and energy into your speech or presentation. you're not all that interested in what you're talking about. I once had a client, a Texan, who did this, and when I showed him the video, he said, "Oh my God! Anyway, personal hygiene is a private affair. Better Business Bureau Accredited Business. It ties up your energy and expressiveness. 34. Scratching an itch, fussing with your hair, or exploring what may or may not be happening in your nose are actions that must be postponed until you are free from the gaze of your public. The first finger alone is accusative, the pinky is prissy, and the middle finger is downright hostile. Play patty-cake with a stranger. Since capturing and holding attention is such a challenge, every word and gesture must align with the message. You use them for almost everything, from simply grasping your breakfast spoon to writing letters… Your hands should do their speaking on a higher plane, at the level of the gut, the heart, or the head--where they can do their best work, adding passion to your message. We're using cookies to improve your experience. Then leave them alone. See also: This Juggling Group Will Have You Second Guessing Your Hobbies. you have dirty fingernails, or 2.) Clap your hands. I see people who appear to be trying to twist it off. Mashable, MashBash and Mashable House are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 39. It turns out, your digits are cooler than you might imagine. I used to be able to relax, zone out, and just listen, but nowadays I almost always need to do something with my hands and I always end up going on my phone. You will rarely see high level politicians or leaders touch these three anatomical danger zones in front of an audience. Here are gestures that distract from you and your message. I see speakers with squirrel paws--limp hands, devoid of life--and no matter how bright the speaker, I am not impressed. But your listeners interpret every gesture, and the only interpretations they could possibly have of your public self-manicure are, that 1.) But simply using our fingers for utility can get a little boring. In other experiments, he found that listeners lost much of the meaning when a speaker's hands were not engaged in talking. Dr. David DeSteno has demonstrated that clasping your hands makes you look less trustworthy, and, even more shocking, causes you to behave in a less trustworthy manner.