Debbie and Simon are college students. They have part-time jobs at a travel agency.
READING
Debbie and Simon looked up as an old lady entered
their office. The lady looked at them both quickly,
and then walked over to Debbie. Debbie greeted her
cheerfully.
Simon sighed and took some papers over to the fax
machine. Chris, a senior member of staff, was
standing there.
“What’s up, Simon? You don’t look very happy.”
“Customers always prefer Debbie to me. I can’t
understand it.”
“I can. It’s the way you communicate.”
“How can that be?” Simon said. “I don’t even get a chance to speak to them.”
“Communicating is not just about speaking. Body language is important, too.”
“Body language?”
“I mean your gestures and the expression on your face. Your whole
appearance communicates things as well as your words.
“The way you look at people doesn’t give them a good impression, Simon.
You often rest your head on your hand. You look down. You never smile.
“But look at Debbie. She holds her head up. She looks at people’s eyes. She
smiles before speaking to them. That’s why they go to her for help, and not
you.”
After that, Simon tried to improve his body language. He sat up and smiled at
people. This seemed to work. Minutes later, a beautiful girl entered. She
looked at Debbie and then Simon. Without hesitating, she went to Simon and
gave him a big smile. A few moments later, she left, still smiling.
Chris came over at once and said, “Well done, Simon. You made a good
impression on her.”
“That was my sister,” said Simon. “She came to remind me that tomorrow is
her birthday.”