Nikolina Đaković Pragmatics

Nataša Obradović 2021/2022

Lenka Farkaš

BODY LANGUAGE IN A SELECTED EPISODE OF A SITCOM

In this paper we analysed the body language of the characters in the third episode of the first season of the sitcom
Friends. The main characters are six friends: Phoebe, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Ross. In this episode, titled
“The One with the Thumb,” everyone but Monica is fond of her new boyfriend; Phoebe finds a thumb in a can of soda;
Chandler resumes his smoking habit and everyone mentions the others’ annoying habits.
Body language is a form of nonverbal communication expressed through eye contact, facial expressions, head
movements, gestures and body movements, posture and stance, proximity and orientation and bodily contact. This form of
communication is done both consciously and subconsciously. Its significance lies in the fact that it accompanies verbal
communication and no communication occurs without it. These signals help others decode the messages that are sent. For
this reason it is important to be aware of one’s own body language, so as not to convey the wrong message, but also to be
able to read others’ body language, and understand the full intent of their message.
This paper will attempt to illustrate all of these types of body language through six scenes from the selected
episode, selected to adequately represent different segments of body language. The examples of the characters’ body
language in the scenes will be briefly described and later analysed in terms of the messages it conveys.

SCENE 1
Chandler and Joey are rehearsing an acting scene in which Joey smokes. Chandler, a former smoker, teaches Joey
how to properly hold a cigarette. As he takes it from Joey’s hand, he puts his leg on a nearby coffee table. His body is
relaxed, shoulders leaned back and wide open. Altogether, it is noticeable that Chandler has assumed a power pose – he is
confident and dominant, comfortable with a cigarette between his fingers which is also proven by his words “When you’re
holding it, you feel right. You feel complete.” Next, as he takes a smoke, he closes his eyes, leans his head back uttering
the words “Oh my God!” What his head movement and closed eyes represent is his feeling of relaxation and satisfaction
that he got from smoking again, considering that he quit. Previously, when asked whether he missed smoking he answered
negatively. However, his body language speaks otherwise, since it is clear that he takes great pleasure in smoking.
SCENE 2
Joey, Ross, Chandler, Monica and Rachel are in a café where Rachel works as a waitress. From previous
episodes, we know she is not very good at her job. As she is bringing them their drinks, they turn their bodies towards her,
showing attention. As she gives Joey his order, he smiles unenthusiastically and gives her the thumbs up gesture. The
other three accept their drinks without making eye contact. Rachel has mixed up all of their orders. Attempting to spare
her feelings, her friends tell white lies, but their body language is showing avoidance strategies. When she says “I’m
getting pretty good at this,” everyone confirms hesitantly, while avoiding eye contact, shaking their heads or looking
away. Monica and Ross even shake their head “no.” This is an example of a mismatch between verbal and nonverbal
communication. Body language is mostly in agreement with our actual thoughts and feelings, as it usually happens
subconsciously, unless we purposely control it, while verbal messages are much more easily manipulated for the purpose
of deception.
SCENE 3
Monica is sitting in a café when Rachel, Ross, Joey and Chandler enter. Their shoulders and heads are down and
they have facial expressions of sadness and disappointment – slight frowning, lip corners turned downwards. They are
looking at the floor and avoiding eye contact with Monica who asks them how the game they had played had gone. Based
on their body language it can be deduced that they lost the game. However, we learn that they manipulated their body
language to play a trick on Monica. They remain silent for a moment and then burst into celebratory mood yelling “We
won!” As they do so, they all push their shoulders and heads slightly back, close their eyes and some spread their arms
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Nikolina Đaković Pragmatics
Nataša Obradović 2021/2022
Lenka Farkaš
and hands or clench their fists. This pattern of body language is a typical one for persons celebrating something or
enjoying in a moment when they feel powerful. These are the power poses which represent happiness, confidence and
enjoyment and are often seen in persons such as sportspeople who won the match or singers at concerts when the crowd is
cheering them on.
SCENE 4
Chandler is at work in his cubicle. He is fidgety and keeps looking around nervously with his eyes open, which
signals his nervousness and anxiety about something – he is secretly smoking at the workplace. His facial expression
shows his secretive mood, as he is frowning and his eyes are glaring in fear someone might see him. He is also not
blinking as much as usual, which may be a sign of deception.
SCENE 5
Monica is standing in front of the other five friends. She is about to tell them that she is going to end the
relationship with her boyfriend, whom her friends all really like. She is gesticulating heavily with her hands and playing
with the rings on her fingers. Her shoulders are tense. She is fidgety and her eyes are constantly moving from left to right.
Her body language is showing how nervous she is about telling her friends the news she knows they will not take well.
Meanwhile, the others are sitting and leaning towards her, while maintaining eye contact with her attentively. This is a
sign that they are interested in and curious about what she wants to tell them. As Monica tells her friends the news, their
eyes widen, their mouths open and they all instantly lean back and grab onto each other. Their facial expressions represent
shock and disbelief, while their need for physical touch is rooted in their need for someone’s support in a sad moment. At
this moment, Monica grins nervously and looks down and away, showing signs of guilt.
SCENE 6
After telling her friends the news of her forthcoming break up with her boyfriend, the friends are still in shock.
Ross, who was previously next to Monica now faces away from her and walks away towards the wall on which he leans
as his eyes and head face down. This need to physically distance himself from Monica represents the emotional distance
he currently feels towards her, as he is disappointed with her news. Meanwhile, Joey crosses his arms, breaks eye contact
and looks down, also showing a physical and mental shield of anger between himself and Monica. Chandler’s arm is on
his knees, his head shaking and leaning on his hand, eyes facing the floor, away from Monica. He, too, is disappointed and
sad about the news of her breakup. Monica is looking at the others, her eyebrows frowning as she grins in an attempt to
remedy the situation. As she walks away from them, her facial expression shows exasperation, as she puffs air out of her
cheeks and widens her eyes.

To conclude, much like the body language in real life, we can see that the Friends’ characters’ body language also
accompanies their verbal messages at all times. More importantly, it provides additional information regarding the
characters’ hidden thoughts, feelings and intentions, which spoken language often disguises. It is also clear that, while
body language is not necessarily accompanied by spoken language, verbal messages never lack the nonverbal signals.
Therefore, being aware of one’s body language of extreme significance, so as to be aware of all the signals one sends to
others.

REFERENCES
Crane, D. (Creator), Kauffman, M. (Creator), Astrof, J. (Writer and Story Editor), Sikowitz, M. (Writer and Story Editor),
Ungerleider, I. (Story Editor), Chase, A. (Story Editor), Junge, A. (Story Editor) & Burrows, J. (Director). (1994, October 6). The One
with the Thumb. (Season 1, Episode 3) [TV series episode]. In K. Bright, D. Crane, M. Kauffman (Executive Producers), Friends.
Bright/Kauffman/Krane Productions; Warner Bros. Television.

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Nataša Obradović 2021/2022
Lenka Farkaš
Morris, D. (2002). Peoplewatching. Vintage.

Wainwright, G. R. (2003) Teach Yourself Body Language. McGraw-Hill.