Autor: Marcos Tadeu Cardoso de jesus ou Marks Tadeu | Publicado: 2015-02-07T16:30:00-08:00



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How to Read Body Language
Read Body Language Intro.jpg

Noticing the signals that people send out with their body language is a very useful social skill. Some of us can read it naturally and some of us are notoriously oblivious. Fortunately, with a little extra attentiveness, you can learn to read body language, and with enough practice it can become second nature.
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Steps

    Read Body Language Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Pay attention to how physically close someone is to you. The closer they are, the warmer they are thinking of you. If you move slightly closer to them and they move even closer to you, they probably really like you or are very comfortable around/by you. But this could also mean that they have a special comfort with you. A strong friendship or they consider you a member of their family.
        It is worth noting that personal space is culturally fluid; keep in mind that what is considered close in one country is far away in another.
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    Read Body Language Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    2
    Watch their head position.
        Overly tilted heads are either a potential sign of sympathy, or if a person smiles while tilting their head, they are being playful and maybe even flirting.
        Lowered heads indicate a reason to hide something. Take note if someone lowers their head. If it is when he is complimented, he may be shy, ashamed, timid, keeping distance from the other person, in disbelief, or thinking to himself or herself. If it is after an explanation, then he may be unsure if what he said was correct, or could be reflecting.
            It should be noted that some cultures see this as a sign of respect.
        Tilted heads mean that they are confused or challenging you, depending on their eye, eyebrow, and mouth gestures. Think of how a dog slightly tilts its head when you make a funny noise.
    Read Body Language Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    3
    Look into their eyes.
        People who look to the sides a lot are nervous, or distracted. However, if a person looks away from the speaker, it very well could be a comfort display or indicate submissiveness. Looking askance generally means the person is distrustful or unconvinced.
        If someone looks down at the floor a lot, they are probably shy or timid. People also tend to look down when they are upset, or trying to hide something emotional. People are often thinking and feeling unpleasant emotions when they are in the process of staring at the ground.
        Sometimes looking down and away from the body can indicate shame or guilt. Just be certain to validate this feeling by reverting back to the topic a second time to validate the body language reading.
        Some cultures believe that looking at someone in the eyes is a sign of disrespect, or is only done with intimate friends or family, so this could explain why someone is avoiding eye contact with you.
        Dilated pupils mean that the person is interested. Keep in mind, however, that many substances cause pupils to dilate, including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, LSD and others. Don't mistake having a few drinks for attraction.
        If their eyes seem focused far away, that usually indicates that a person is in deep thought or not listening.
    4
    See if they're mirroring you. If someone mimics your body language this is a very genuine sign that they are trying to establish rapport with you. Try changing your body position here and there. If you find that they change theirs similarly, they are mirroring.
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    5
    Check their arms.
        People with crossed arms are closing themselves to social influence. Though some people just cross their arms as a habit, it may indicate that the person is (slightly) reserved, uncomfortable with their appearance (self-conscious and trying to cover it), or just trying to hide something on their shirt. If their arms are crossed while their feet are shoulder width or wider apart, this is a position of toughness or authority.
        Also be aware of their surroundings. If it's cold, or it might seem cold to them, they're probably just trying to stay warm.
        If they are rubbing their hands together or somehow touching their own body, they might be comforting themselves (which means they aren't enjoying the current situation).
        If someone rests their arms behind their neck or head, they are open to what is being discussed or just laid back in general.
        If their hands are on their hips, they might be waiting, impatient or just tired.
        If their hands are closed or clenched, they may be irritated, angry, or nervous.
    6
    Pay attention to gestures in conversation. Exaggerated movements can express passion or interest in the subject. Frequent reaching forwards or superfluous hand gestures can mean that someone is trying to convince you of something. Noting the intensity, frequency, and reach of hand gestures can help you read another person's body language, but remember that the exact meaning of these gestures will depend largely on context.
    7
    Be aware of nervous gestures:

        If someone brushes their hair back with their fingers, this may be preening, a common gesture if the person likes you, or their thoughts about something conflict with yours. They might not voice this. If you see raised eyebrows during this time, you can be pretty sure that they disagree with you.
        If the person wears glasses, and is constantly pushing them up onto their nose again, with a slight frown, that may also indicate they disagree with what you are saying. Look to make sure they push up their glasses with an intent, not casually adjusting them. Look for pushing on the rim with two fingers, or an extra motion of wiggling the side of their glasses. The frown or raised eyebrows should tip you off. (Note: A frown may also indicate eyestrain, and constant re-adjusting of glasses could be the result of an improper fit. The distinguishing feature is whether they are looking directly at you while doing it.)
        Lowered eyebrows and squinted eyes illustrate an attempt at understanding what is being said or going on. It's usually skeptical. This is presuming they are not trying to observe something that's far away.
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    8
    Watch their feet:
        A fast tapping, shifting of weight, laughing, or movement of the foot will most often mean that the person is impatient, excited, nervous, scared, or intimidated.
            The meaning of feet tapping can usually be discerned depending on the context; if you are currently talking and they are tapping their feet, that is an indication of a desire to leave (though usually this behavior manifests when the person is anxious to get somewhere specific, such as a meeting, rather than because of what you're doing specifically). Slow shuffling indicates boredom with the current situation. If during flirtation your legs/feet touch, tapping can generally be interpreted as nervous excitement. This is because if they were uncomfortable, they would discreetly move away from the contact, a much more subtle escape than indirectly trying to tell you to move away.
            Note though that some people with ADHD will constantly jiggle their legs. It doesn't mean anything, it's entirely subconscious and, while eccentric, it is difficult to stop. Some people also do it out of habit.
        If the person is sitting, feet crossed at the ankles means they're generally at ease.
        If while standing, a person seems to always keep their feet very close together, it probably means they are trying to be "proper" in some way. Sometimes feet together means that they are feeling more submissive or passive.
        If they purposely touch their feet to yours, they are flirting!
        Some people may point their feet to the direction of where they want to go or sometimes their interest. So if it's pointing at you, he/she may be interested in you.
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 Understanding body language is a great way to read non-verbal communication cues. Whether you want to learn alpha male moves or impress your peers, these are body language tips will definitely help you out.
Tips

    If they lean forward, they're interested in listening to you.
    Watch your own body language, see what message you're giving off.
    To become more aware about body language, watch TV with the voice off, every night, for three weeks in row. By guessing what's going on just from body language, you'll improve your ability to read it.
    Keep in mind that each person has their own unique body language called baseline behaviors. Pay special attention to changes in body language rather than the body language itself.
    Notice how close they get to you. If they are right up against you that probably means they like you or feel comfortable in your presence.
    It's easy to spot a confident person: they will make prolonged eye contact and have a strong posture. They may also sit or stand very correct.
    When a person closes his/her eyes longer than the time it takes to blink, that usually means that he/she is feeling stress, alarm, or despair (although it could mean that their contacts are dry, this will sometimes be accompanied by rubbing of the eye).
    Watch the face - it will usually give off a quick involuntary and sometimes subconscious twitch when something happens that irritates, excites, or amuses them.
    When a person often tap their fingers on something it's usually a sign of excitement or impatience.
    Also when a person elongates his or her blinks, it could possibly be a sign of annoyance, disbelief, or boredom or, could be a sign of nervousness.
    Look for twitches in the lips and corners of the mouth, or even pouting. And if they press their tongue against their mouths, then they are not interested.
    Be aware of the person's mouth. Constant twitching usually means they are agitated or annoyed.
    You can watch someone's breathing pattern to determine whether they are nervous or relaxed. Short quick breaths indicate being nervous or under stress and deep long breaths indicate calmness, relaxed at ease.
    Lowered eyelids could mean that someone is bored or trying to deflect a comment.
    A lowered eye shows calmness.
    To tell if someone is lying to you the most common way is by a small tensing of the muscles surrounding the eye.
    Realize that sometimes all of this could be wrong. Many people appear proud, arrogant and better than everyone else because they feel useless or sad.


    Do not judge a person solely by their body language.
    Take the person's culture and beliefs into consideration.
    You shouldn't isolate yourself by constantly examining body language when interacting with people. Otherwise, there is no reason to gain a social upper hand anyway. This is paralysis by analysis.
    Confidence is key to making a good impression. But, remember the fine line between confidence and cockiness
    Always consider that a person's body language might be influenced by a medical condition.





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