Presenting Self

Consider all the ways you can use nonverbal communication to present different aspects of your self to others. You can wear religious artifacts to convey your spiritual beliefs. You can select clothing to present your self as Goth, gangsta, preppy, or punk. You can walk slouched and hunched over to communicate dismay, or stand with your head up and shoulders back to demonstrate confidence. Smiling presents you to others as friendly and approachable, while scowling presents you as threatening. An important part of being a competent nonverbal communicator is recognizing the demands of the situation (formal/informal; intimate/impersonal), then shifting your nonverbal communication quickly to present your self in appropriate ways.