Feet

If someone has his feet turned toward you while you’re talking, that means he’s engaged in the conversation. If his feet are turned away, he’s probably not interested. Feet going opposite directions? You’re talking to a contortionist. To make him comfortable, try to match his footwork while maintaining eye contact.

Head

Sometimes a person will tilt her head to show empathy. The gesture says, “I care about you enough to show part of my neck, arguably the most vulnerable body part save for arm flab or the back of the knee.” As a sign of submission, sometimes a person will lower her head. Occasionally, she will swirl her head 360 degrees as a sign of demonic possession or because she’s a cartoon and wants to be, like, “What you just said was bonkers, my dude!”

Hands

Open hands with palms up are often a sign of offering, especially when paired with presenting an idea. Open hands with palms down are a sign of confidence or a display of authority. Open hands with palms that quickly switch between up and down are a sign that a jazz number is about to begin.

Fingers

If eyes are the windows to the soul, fingers are the eyes of the hands. Picking at one’s fingers indicates insecurity. Twiddling one’s thumbs indicates boredom. One or both thumbs up indicates approval. One or both thumbs down indicates you’re not making it to the next round of this talent competition. A pinky up indicates fanciness. A thumb and pinky up on the same hand indicates chillness. I don’t know what a thumb and pinky up on the different hands indicates, but I’d like to find out. An index finger pinched with thumb means someone smokes. A middle and ring finger pinched with the thumbs means a deer with big ears. Crossed fingers means he’s lying. Interlaced fingers either mean contentment or he’s about to do the “Here’s the church, here’s the steeple” thing.