How to put people at ease?

Answer 1

Be calm, and sit still; don't force eye contact and don't make body contact. If the person avoids eye contact let them off the hook by checking out some paperwork. Despite what you might've heard about body language, it isn't necessarily true of everyone, so avoiding eye contact, for example, doesn't have to mean the person opposite you is dishonest; they could just be shy or nervous. Talk about the other person rather than yourself; offer positive observations and mild compliments (nothing gushing or over the top). Listen to what they have to say, smile and nod (but not too much).