Non Verbal Communication - try it

Sometimes a little non verbal communications can work wonders. You know what I'm talking about - the wink, the nod, the smile, the stare, and sometimes it's just a befuddled look on our face.

These types of communication are really important when they work for us. Just remember, they can work against us as well.

Stay with me here while I tell a little tale that parallels with this topic - I'm not fond of lying.

I don't like it for three reasons.

First, only politicians should lie. It's something we have come to expect from the best that money can buy.

Second, it cheapens our lives, and we don't need anything doing that. Trust and integrity add so much more to our lives, and dishonestly only detracts for it.

Third, I find that I'm no good at it. Whatever the truth is can be seen "written" all over my face.

So, what's the point? The point is that seeing something "written" on your face is a form of non verbal communication, so it can work against you as well as work in your favor.

Here is a story about how non verbal communication worked in my favor.

At a garage sale I saw some iron pots and a ladle that I wanted to buy. I was willing to give $5 for the antique items, as they would make great decorations for my hearth near my large wood-burning stove in the living room.

The seller wanted $8 for the items. Instead of disagreeing, I just cocked my head and made a wince that indicated my reluctance to buy. He immediately said that he had been in sales long enough to know that I wasn’t pleased with the price. He then offered the set at $5. I accepted.

That's an example of non verbal communication. I didn't have to say a word. It's a bit like the look you see on someone's face after they bite into a lemon. They don't have to say a word. You know exactly what's going on.

In this example, the seller wanted to get rid of things. He didn’t want a buyer to walk away. He was happy to get something reasonable for the pots and ladle, and I was happy to pay what I thought they were worth.

I didn't want to tell the guy that they were essentially useless to him and were only going to be marginally useful to me as well, so I didn't say anything.

Sometimes saying nothing is how to negotiate a better deal. Stay quiet and let the seller make you a money saving offer.

Done with Non Verbal Communication, back to Frugal Shopping