Comments on: Don’t Smile Before Christmas

By: Yuri

Yuri — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:42:44 +0000

Great post (as usual), Jeff!
It seems to be true that more powerful people try to look even more significant.
But in general that’s not good I guess.
Let’s smile and, as others survey said, our life become a little longer!

Thank you for your good positive posts!
Wish you all the best,

Yuri.

By: Tania

Tania — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:59:08 +0000

Hi! Dear Emiliano, how are you ?
You have to know we miss you very much.
Please, send a word.

By: Tania

Tania — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:57:03 +0000

Hi! It’s autumn…a walking in the park…yellow leaves, sound of sad trees…

The Sound of Trees

by Robert Frost (1874-1963), American poet

I wonder about the trees.
Why do we wish to bear
Forever the noise of these
More than another noise
So close to our dwelling place?

All the best to you all,

Tania

By: Tania

Tania — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:41:30 +0000

Hi!
“The silent withering of autumn flowers
Dropping their petals…
In the smell of grapes on the autumn table…”

The Dry Salvages by T.S.Eliot

By: Tania

Tania — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:35:12 +0000

Hi! Thanks to the internet, when any pupil can access all aspects of a problem… of course , a teacher can be in trouble any time.
Val is right: a terrible feeling.

By: Tania

Tania — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:23:48 +0000

Hi! Good topic, good lesson for young teachers and not only.
I think the pupils do not like too much sobriety, but with a smile, a joke and much competence, ability, understanding…you can”cross the sea”.
I am not a teacher, but I know we loved all teachers of this kind.

By: Val

Val — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:41:47 +0000

I remember, the first class I had to teach. Actually, it was practical lesson on Engineering Graphics. I clearly remember how fearful it was=) All these eyes, which are looking at you, more than 30 faces, which are smiling to you… These are not children, these are young adults, people with their own formed opinions and views… It’ was terrible feeling. The good thing about it that you can overcome this fear through everyday practice. And you pretty soon become more confident.
This problem is common for young teachers all other the world. Every teacher must work hard in order to be respected and liked.

By: parviz

parviz — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:01:18 +0000

Hi Jeff,
similarly, I remember the thoughts running through my mind when I wanted to enter my class for the first time. As a student, occasionally, I gave a short lecture or a seminar in front of the class. but I had no I idea how difficult it was to be a teacher, until 2010, when I started my own teaching business, for a small group of college students. I couldn’t say that I was losing my control, but my heart started to beat very fast and my skin turned pale. Luckily one of my students, who was actually a friend of mine, whispered in my ear, before the class started said ” don’t worry I won’t ask a question you don’t know the answer.” And I remember started thinking ” may be I give other students this impression, too. Then I try to get my thoughts acted. Although, It was difficult for me to enter a class I barely knew the students, it turned out to be a sweet look out. I didn’t smile entering the class. and I tried to show myself very strict.
Any way, this is the first time I ever hear “Don’t smile before Christmas” , But i think it worked for me before I knew it.

Thanks,

By: Fayçal

Fayçal — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:59:15 +0000

Without further ado, EslPod is what the doctor ordered, I am takling on behalf of anyone taking an advatange of your second to none lessons that we are gratful to your impeccable efforts that are presumably bearing fruit.
I myself benefited a lot and my learning processe is really improving so my appetite is whetted to better myself off further due to your incentive dialogues.

In a nutshell, I only lack for words that suit your high calibre but you are magnificient the least i can say.

Fayssal, from Algeria

salam “peace”

By: Nele

Nele — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 07:51:01 +0000

Hi,
I don’t agree with this reserchers.
For me, smiling to a person is body language, also a sign of goog manners and friendliness. And anybody who don’t smile back has no good manners, equal how powerful he or she ist. I knew some powerful people who can smile, equal who is the other person.

And, if anybode don’t smile back, sometimes the reason is his or her uncertainty – and again equal how powerful he or she ist.

Ok, sometimes there a persons who don’t smile back in negotiations, perhaps they are very concentrated. But I suspect they have studies body language and they think it’s a sign of power and give them help in the situation. I think theiy are unfriendly and also uncertain.

Best regards
Nele