How to Read Body Language
If the eyes are the windows of the soul, then the body is the mirror of our feelings. If we are feeling great, it shows in how we hold and use our body. Conversely, by looking at someone else's body, we can often tell how they are feeling by the signals their body is giving.
So when it comes to dating, using or reading body language signals is a great tool. You can observe this by watching a couple flirting with each other.
In case you don't think learning how to read and use body language is not important, here are some statistics about the messages we receive from someone we meet:
- 7% of the information we receive is from what they actually say.
- 38% of information we receive is from the tone, inflection, and speed of their voice.
- A staggering 55% of the information we receive is from their body language.
These non-verbal signals will help you in dealing with the person, but stay focused on what the person is saying. If you focus too much on their body language signals, you and/or the other person may feel uncomfortable.
It is useful to be able to read people's body language, but it is equally useful to learn how to get your body to send the right signals and eliminate the wrong signals. See below for some body language signals.
Be warned: body language is very much open to interpretation. Many signals have different meanings depending on the person/situation. Keep this in mind when you assess a body language signal.
Note: Look for 3 or 4 signals that convey a similar message or the one-off inconsistent signal. Also, consciously practice reading/doing some of the signals as much as you can. Learning, as you practice, what works and what doesn't work for you will help you gain confidence to use body language techniques consciously.
Body Language Signals:
- Open arms:
- Energetically open and possibly feeling vulnerable.
- A good way to show you are approachable, especially when combined with open palms.
- Palms up/open hands:
- Defenses down.
- An open heart.
- Palms on chest – When a person uses open palms that occasionally touch their chest, they are signaling honesty.
- Outward, upward hand movements – This conveys an open and positive message.
- Folded arms:
- A defense mechanism that shows the person is not open to what is being said or done.
- May mean rejection.
- Physically cold.
- Stubborn in their outlook.
- Hands closed – A closed heart.
- Doodling – Bored.
- Fist:
- Anger and to be avoided.
- Physically cold.
- Very tense.
- Defiant or triumphant when held in the air.
- Feet under the chair – A sign of eagerness.
- Looking around:
- Wants to get away.
- Thinking about something else.
- Bored with the situation/conversation.
- Stroking chin – Evaluating.
- Mirroring – This is evidence of two people getting on really well. Each person copies the other's body language, usually subtly. Mirroring occurs with:
- Breathing.
- Gestures.
- Eye movement.
- Leaning towards each other at the same time.
- Crossed or uncrossed legs.
- Speech pattern.
- Arm movement, or no arm movement.
- Emotive energy such as being excited, relaxed, etc.
Note: If you practice this with somebody, the key is to be subtle and not be a copycat. There is a natural rhythm to the process, which is the key.
- Yawning:
- Bored.
- Tired and that may have nothing to do with the situation/conversation.
- Preening – This shows someone knows they are attractive. For example, flicking or stroking their hair or adjusting a collar and/or a tie.
- Ear Tugging:
- Indecision.
- Possible deception.
- Puffing out chest – This has nothing to do with silicone implants. Men do this when demonstrating their attraction to someone.
- Nodding – The occasional nod from a listener to a speaker is a positive message. It is an indication they are listening and are interested.
- Too much nodding – This indicates the listener has lost interest and may be bored. (Probably where the saying 'nodding off to sleep' came from.)
- Chopping hands down – This is an aggressive act, usually used to antagonize.
- Body space – Respect for the other person's body space is crucial in gaining their trust. Stay at least one arm's length away from them.
- Striding briskly:
- An outward display of confidence.
- Anger.
- Gentle leg shaking:
- The person is mildly stimulated.
- May need to go to the toilet.
- Vigorous leg shaking:
- Reveals apprehension and nerves.
- Desperate to go to the toilet.
- On toes – Eagerness.
- Clears throat:
- Anxiety.
- Has a cough/sore throat.
- Habit.
- Pretends to kick imaginary things on the ground - frustration.
- Open feet – reflecting and giving attention.
- Flushed cheeks:
- Indicates interest in the other person.
- Embarrassment (usually temporary).
- Dilated pupils:
- Interested in someone.
- Focused.
- High on drugs.
- High blink rate:
- A person who has an interest in someone will have an increased blink rate.
- Nervousness.
- Assessing.
- Has an eye disorder.
- Backwards moving:
- Rejecting.
- Escaping.
- Moving away – Sometimes there is no hidden meaning.
- Slumped posture:
- Bored.
- Low self-esteem/confidence.
- Legs entwined – A woman who is interested in someone will often cross and uncross her legs when seated.
- Gazing – A woman will gaze long enough for someone to notice then will quickly look away. Her mouth may open and lips slightly wet.
- Low voice – When interested in someone, a woman may speak in a low voice.
- Running hand along leg – sexually interested in the other person.
- Running hands along legs:
- Really sexually interested in the other person.
- Getting ready to leave.
- Directly facing you with open stance – The person is interested, and you have their attention.
- Drumming fingers:
- Impatient.
- May be a drummer.
Answer: Understanding body language signals is crucial in interpersonal communication. It provides valuable insights into people's feelings and intentions beyond verbal communication. To effectively read body language, one must observe a combination of signals such as open arms indicating approachability, folded arms signaling defensiveness, or mirroring gestures suggesting rapport. It's essential to consider context and multiple signals to accurately interpret body language. Practicing and being mindful of both sending and receiving body language cues can enhance communication and understanding in various social interactions.
From India, Coimbatore
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
746If the eyes are the windows of the soul, then the body is the mirror of our feelings. If we are feeling great, it shows in how we hold and use our body. Conversely, by looking at someone else's body, we can often tell how they are feeling by the signals their body is giving.
So when it comes to dating, using or reading body language signals is a great tool. You can observe this by watching a couple flirting with each other.
In case you don't think learning how to read and use body language is not important, here are some statistics about the messages we receive from someone we meet:
- 7% of the information we receive is from what they actually say.
- 38% of information we receive is from the tone, inflection, and speed of their voice.
- A staggering 55% of the information we receive is from their body language.
These non-verbal signals will help you in dealing with the person, but stay focused on what the person is saying. If you focus too much on their body language signals, you and/or the other person may feel uncomfortable.
It is useful to be able to read people's body language, but it is equally useful to learn how to get your body to send the right signals and eliminate the wrong signals. See below for some body language signals.
Be warned: body language is very much open to interpretation. Many signals have different meanings depending on the person/situation. Keep this in mind when you assess a body language signal.
Note: Look for 3 or 4 signals that convey a similar message or the one-off inconsistent signal. Also, consciously practice reading/doing some of the signals as much as you can. Learning, as you practice, what works and what doesn't work for you will help you gain confidence to use body language techniques consciously.
Body Language Signals:
- Open arms:
- Energetically open and possibly feeling vulnerable.
- A good way to show you are approachable, especially when combined with open palms.
- Palms up/open hands:
- Defenses down.
- An open heart.
- Palms on chest – When a person uses open palms that occasionally touch their chest, they are signaling honesty.
- Outward, upward hand movements – This conveys an open and positive message.
- Folded arms:
- A defense mechanism that shows the person is not open to what is being said or done.
- May mean rejection.
- Physically cold.
- Stubborn in their outlook.
- Hands closed – A closed heart.
- Doodling – Bored.
- Fist:
- Anger and to be avoided.
- Physically cold.
- Very tense.
- Defiant or triumphant when held in the air.
- Feet under the chair – A sign of eagerness.
- Looking around:
- Wants to get away.
- Thinking about something else.
- Bored with the situation/conversation.
- Stroking chin – Evaluating.
- Mirroring – This is evidence of two people getting on really well. Each person copies the other's body language, usually subtly. Mirroring occurs with:
- Breathing.
- Gestures.
- Eye movement.
- Leaning towards each other at the same time.
- Crossed or uncrossed legs.
- Speech pattern.
- Arm movement, or no arm movement.
- Emotive energy such as being excited, relaxed, etc.
Note: If you practice this with somebody, the key is to be subtle and not be a copycat. There is a natural rhythm to the process, which is the key.
- Yawning:
- Bored.
- Tired and that may have nothing to do with the situation/conversation.
- Preening – This shows someone knows they are attractive. For example, flicking or stroking their hair or adjusting a collar and/or a tie.
- Ear Tugging:
- Indecision.
- Possible deception.
- Puffing out chest – This has nothing to do with silicone implants. Men do this when demonstrating their attraction to someone.
- Nodding – The occasional nod from a listener to a speaker is a positive message. It is an indication they are listening and are interested.
- Too much nodding – This indicates the listener has lost interest and may be bored. (Probably where the saying 'nodding off to sleep' came from.)
- Chopping hands down – This is an aggressive act, usually used to antagonize.
- Body space – Respect for the other person's body space is crucial in gaining their trust. Stay at least one arm's length away from them.
- Striding briskly:
- An outward display of confidence.
- Anger.
- Gentle leg shaking:
- The person is mildly stimulated.
- May need to go to the toilet.
- Vigorous leg shaking:
- Reveals apprehension and nerves.
- Desperate to go to the toilet.
- On toes – Eagerness.
- Clears throat:
- Anxiety.
- Has a cough/sore throat.
- Habit.
- Pretends to kick imaginary things on the ground - frustration.
- Open feet – reflecting and giving attention.
- Flushed cheeks:
- Indicates interest in the other person.
- Embarrassment (usually temporary).
- Dilated pupils:
- Interested in someone.
- Focused.
- High on drugs.
- High blink rate:
- A person who has an interest in someone will have an increased blink rate.
- Nervousness.
- Assessing.
- Has an eye disorder.
- Backwards moving:
- Rejecting.
- Escaping.
- Moving away – Sometimes there is no hidden meaning.
- Slumped posture:
- Bored.
- Low self-esteem/confidence.
- Legs entwined – A woman who is interested in someone will often cross and uncross her legs when seated.
- Gazing – A woman will gaze long enough for someone to notice then will quickly look away. Her mouth may open and lips slightly wet.
- Low voice – When interested in someone, a woman may speak in a low voice.
- Running hand along leg – sexually interested in the other person.
- Running hands along legs:
- Really sexually interested in the other person.
- Getting ready to leave.
- Directly facing you with open stance – The person is interested, and you have their attention.
- Drumming fingers:
- Impatient.
- May be a drummer.
Answer: Understanding body language signals is crucial in interpersonal communication. It provides valuable insights into people's feelings and intentions beyond verbal communication. To effectively read body language, one must observe a combination of signals such as open arms indicating approachability, folded arms signaling defensiveness, or mirroring gestures suggesting rapport. It's essential to consider context and multiple signals to accurately interpret body language. Practicing and being mindful of both sending and receiving body language cues can enhance communication and understanding in various social interactions.
From India, Coimbatore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)CiteHR is an AI-augmented HR knowledge and collaboration platform, enabling HR professionals to solve real-world challenges, validate decisions, and stay ahead through collective intelligence and machine-enhanced guidance. Join Our Platform.
BODY LANGUAGE.ppt