Until we get to know someone, our brain relies on snap judgements to try to categorize the person, predict what they will do, and anticipate how we should react. You may have heard that you only have a few seconds to make a first impression, but the truth is, your brain has made up its mind (so to speak) about a person within milliseconds of meeting them.

　　在我们真正认识一个人之前，我们的大脑就会依赖草率的判断以类化那个人，预估他会做什么事情，并且预想我们该如何做出反应。也许你曾经听说过你只有短短的几秒钟就能留下第一印象，但事实上是，你的大脑已经在遇见他们后的几毫秒内就决定了(以此去评判)一个人的印象。

　　According to research done by a Princeton University psychologist, it’s an evolutionary survival mechanism. Your brain decides from the information it has—in other words, how you look—whether you are trustworthy, threatening, competent, likeable and many other traits.

　　根据普林斯顿大学心理学家的研究，认为这是一种进化的生存机制。你的大脑由它所拥有的信息所决定——换而言之，你看起来是怎样的——你是否值得信赖，还是带有威胁的，能干的，讨人喜欢的或其他的个人特质。

　　One way we can “hack” this split-second judgement is to be aware of our body language, especially in important situations. Whether you’re applying for a job, asking for a raise, or meeting with a new client, tweaking or just being mindful of our body language can influence the other person’s perception of us and the outcome of the situation.

　　有一个可以改变这种瞬间判断的方法，就是有意识地调整我们自己的肢体语言，特别是在重要的场合里。无论你正在申请一份工作，还是请求加薪，还是与新客户的见面，调整或对自己的肢体语言多加留意，因为这样会影响到他人对我们的印象以至这个场景的最终结果。

　　15 Body language blunders to watch out for:

　　这是15种需要注意的肢体语言错误：

　　1. Leaning Back too much — you come off lazy or arrogant.

　　1. 过度向后倚靠——使你看起来很懒惰或自大。

　　2. Leaning forward — can seem aggressive. Aim for a neutral posture.

　　2. 身体前倾——看起来有挑衅的意味。应该换一个更中立的姿势。

　　3. Breaking eye contact too soon — can make you seem untrustworthy or overly nervous. Hold eye contact a hair longer, especially during a handshake.

　　3. 眼神接触时间太短——会使你看起来不可信或过度紧张。应保持稍长时间的眼神接触，特别是在握手的时候。

　　4. Nodding too much — can make you look like a bobble head doll! Even if you agree with what’s being said, nod once and then try to remain still.

　　4. 点头太频繁——会让你看起来像一个点头玩偶!即使你同意对方所说的，点一次头并试着保持静止就可以了。

　　5. Chopping or pointing with your hands — feels aggressive.

　　5. 打断别人说话或用手指着对方——会看起来很挑衅。

　　6. Crossing your arms — makes you look defensive, especially when you’re answering questions. Try to keep your arms at your sides.

　　6. 交叉手臂——让你显得自我防御，尤其是在回答问题的时候。尽量保持你的双臂在身体的两侧。

　　7. Fidgeting — instantly telegraphs how nervous you are. Avoid it at all costs.

　　7. 很多小动作——瞬间就能显示你有多么的紧张不安。尽一切所能避免这种情况。

　　8. Holding your hands behind your back (or firmly in your pockets) — can look rigid and stiff. Aim for a natural, hands at your sides posture.

　　8. 把手放在身后(或紧紧地攥在口袋里)——看起来会死板僵硬。换一个自然的，双手保持在身体两旁的姿势。

　　9. Looking up or looking around — is a natural cue that someone is lying or not being themselves. Try to hold steady eye contact.

　　9. 向上看或到处张望——这是一个说谎或违心的暗示。尽量保持稳定的眼神交流。

　　10. Staring — can be interpreted as aggressive. There’s a fine line between holding someone’s gaze and staring them down.

　　10. 目不转睛地瞪着别人——这有可能会解读为有侵略性的眼神。保持眼神接触和瞪大眼睛的区别只有一线之差。

　　11. Failing to smile — can make people uncomfortable, and wonder if you really want to be there. Go for a genuine smile especially when meeting someone for the first time.

　　11. 缺少笑容——会让别人感觉不舒服，并且会猜想你是否真的愿意逗留在这里。尝试给别人一个真诚的微笑吧，特别是在与他人初次见面的时候。

　　12. Stepping back when you’re asking for a decision — conveys fear or uncertainty. Stand your ground, or even take a slight step forward with conviction.

　　12. 在询问决定的时候身体向后退——传递着惊恐和不确定的信息。脚踏实地，或者甚至可以坚定地向前踏一小步。

　　13. your fingers or holding palms up — looks like a begging position and conveys weakness.

　　13. 指尖向上或手心朝上——看起来像是一个乞求的姿势，传递着软弱的信息。

　　14. Standing with hands on hips — is an aggressive posture, like a bird or a dog puffing themselves up to look bigger.

　　14. 站着的时候双手放在臀部上——这是一个好斗的姿势，就像一只小鸟或小狗鼓吹声势让自己看起来更强大的样子。

　　15. Checking your phone or watch — says you want to be somewhere else. Plus, it’s just bad manners.

　　15. 查看手机或手表——意味着你想离开这里到别的地方。再者，这是不礼貌的动作。

　　So, what should you do? Aim for good posture in a neutral position, whether sitting or standing. Stand with your arms at your sides, and sit with them at your sides or with your hands in your lap. Pay attention so that you naturally hold eye contact, smile, and be yourself.

　　那么，你该怎么做呢?应该是这样：无论是坐着还是站着的时候，力求保持中立的良好姿势。站着的时候把双手放在身旁，坐着的时候也应如此或者放在大腿上。保持注意力集中这样才能自然地保持眼神交流，微笑和展现自己。

　　If you discover you have a particular problem with one or two of the gestures on the list, practice by yourself with a mirror or with a friend who can remind you every time you do it, until you become aware of the bad habit yourself.

　　如果你发现自己有这些肢体语言错误中的一到两个，那么就尝试在镜子面前练习或与一位朋友练习，他可以在你犯这些错误的时候提醒你，直到你自己真正意识到这个不良的习惯为止。

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（责任编辑：何莹莹）