10 Body Language Basics

Throughout history it has been an advantage if an individual can read body language. Body language helps in everyday life from closing a business deal or trusting someone with your life, to recognising when someone is upset.

Body language is the art of making an educated guess at a person’s feelings or intentions based on their posture, movement and positioning. To understand a person’s body language you need to take into account more than one aspect of their body language. Take tears for example. Just seeing tears on a person’s face does not tell you much as they could mean a person is happy, sad or just they might just have watery eyes. It is only when you also observe a smile that you can assume a person is very happy.

Each action or stance in the following list means very little, unless there is more than one indicating the same thing. They may also vary between cultures.

Arms

Body Language Indication Alternative Reason Crossing of the arms A negative or critical viewpoint Person is feeling cold and is crossing their arms to keep warm or is relaxing Tapping fingers Bored, anxious or agitated Habit Fidgeting with hands Bored or has something to say Habit Fidgeting with objects such as a pen Bored or has something to say Habit Open hands or showing palms Showing trust and interest Inviting others opinions Covering one hand with the other Concealed feelings and insecurity Cold hands Clinging to objects Confusion or insecurity The object is important Clasping hands Defensive Habitual posture Making a fist Aggression, angry or irritated Holding something small or stretching hand Firm handshake Confidence Habit Weak handshake Nervous, Shy, Insecure or scared on interaction Has a sore hand Biting fingernails Nervous Habit Wringing hands Nervous Habit Looking at watch Boredom Has to keep on time

Feet

Body Language Indication Alternative Reason Placing feet up on desk or chair Relaxation, authority or ownership Habit Tapping feet Impatient or distracted

Habit Twisting feet continuously Nervous, Concerned, Stressed or Angry Can never sit still Sitting with crossing legs in direction of speaker Relaxed, confident or listening carefully Habit Sitting with crossing legs in direction of door Would like to leave Habit Sitting with legs wide apart Feels safe, confident and can show leadership Disinterested Dangling loose shoe from toes Physically attracted Habit Pacing the floor Nervous Has been sitting down too long

Head

Body Language May Indicate Alternative Reason Resting chin on fist or palm Boredom or disinterest. Tiredness Gently resting chin on fingers or touching fingers to lower face Questioning, critical or Deep Thought Habit Looking over the top of glasses Attentiveness, serious or critical thought Vision problems Pinching the bridge of the nose Deep thought Nasal problems or poorly fitting glasses Rubbing or touching around the nose Negative thought or doubt Habit, itchy or sore nose Ear rubbing Unsure or weighing up possibilities. Itchy or sore ears Direct eye contact Dominance or attentive Looking past the person into the distance Sustained eye contact Like or interest in you Mistaken for attentiveness No eye contact Disinterest or lying Distracted, uncomfortable or too confined Nodding head rapidly Eager, Impatient or want to add to conversation Listening to music Nodding head slowly Interested, Validating comments or encouraging Listening to music Pressed lips Disagreement, Disapproval or desire to end conversation Sore or parched lips Pressed lips with raised chin Aggression Usual posture Pursed lips Disapproval, Fixed views, Arrogant, Superficial character, Thinking or Deciding Usual posture Biting lips Embarrassed or lacks self-confidence Habit Holding hand over mouth Hide an expression, Talk without other people hearing or Indicate mistake Hide a hiccup, burp, sneeze or cough Raising eyebrows Surprise Trying to focus eyes Eyes open wider Astonished Dark environments will cause people to open their eyes more Raised forehead Trying to remember, or is crying Is looking up Looking up or into distance Trying to remember or think Is looking at something in particular Loud Sign Understanding or Strong emotions Tiredness Clearing of the throat Nervousness, or wants to be heard Has a cold Slowly taking of glasses and cleaning them Wants time to think before continuing Had dirty glasses Relaxed Brow Comfortable Has had Botox Tensed Brow Confusion, tension or fear Permanent frown marks Leaning back with hands behind head Comfortable Habit Winking Shared secret or moment Sore eye Massaging Temples Anxiety Headache Stoking chin Thinking Itchy chin

Chest

Body Language Indication Alternative Reason Breathing faster Nervous or Angry Has just finished exercise Inhaling loudly and shortly Wants to interrupt conversation Hiccup Slow breathing Relaxed and comfortable Breathing problems Shoulders hunched forward Lacking interest or has a feeling of inferiority Tired Rubbing collar Nervous Trying to get a mark off Adjusting tie Insecure or wanting to impress Tie needed adjusting Shrugged shoulders Concerned, or wants to be left alone Usual body posture Shoulders at different levels Doubtful about following actions Usual body posture Rigid Body Posture Anxious, uptight Usual body posture

Other

Body Language Indication Alternative Reason Mirroring you Likes you or wants to be friendly Luck Staying still Interested in what is going on or is being said Is tired Keeps everything tidy and ordered Thinks about everything and plans things out Habit Allows things stay unorganised Risk taker or stressed Too busy