Read my body language

Hotel staff are being taught body language skills to improve customer service at a boutique chain in the US.

Affinia Hotels, which has five properties in New York, one in Chicago and another in Washington, has drafted in a body language expert to help staff recognise guests’ needs.

From this month, front desk staff will apparently be able to recognise, for example, that a guest who is constantly touching their ear or chin is likely to be stressed and needs to be checked in more quickly.

Likewise, cleaners will know that if a guest makes eye contact in the hotel corridor, they might be open to a quick chat.

The innovative hotel group also runs a customer service programme called My Affinia where guests can customise their in-room amenities by requesting extras like an acoustic guitar, golf putter or yoga kit.