Japanese Body Language - 顔が利く

If my dog had a face like yours, I’d shave his back side and make him walk backwards is the worst thing I ever heard someone say about a person’s looks.

In Japan, the face has power.

顔が利く[かおがきく, kao ga kiku] have influence; be influential

If somebody has a face that is effective, you want to have them on your side.

Need to ask a favor? Ask it of someone with this kind of face.

Need an advocate? This is the kind of person who you want in your corner.

Need a raise? You had better hope your immediate boss has influence in getting the owner or whomever holds the purse strings to agree.

Who’s the most influential person you know?