The Ultimate Body Language Book

Chapter 15 – Seating Arrangements
Casual Corner Position
The “casual corner” seating arrangement is best in business as it the table provides are partial barrier,
yet does not prevent people from interacting together effectively.
The casual corner position is most appropriate to preserve closeness between people, but at the same
time offers a partial barrier. The barrier in this case, is the corner of the table. If chairs are directly
facing the table, it avoids direct eye contact, but if preferred, the chairs can face one another across the
corner of the table to make sharing of information easier. This seating position is unique because it
neatly allows for independent thought, but the proximity still permits intimacy.
When presenting new information to a client or trying to “sell them”, this is the most preferred
orientation. It is also a useful way to conduct an interview without coming off as aggressive or
competitive. In studies when students were asked to choose a seating arrangement that permitted