How to Read Body Language

Those who can understand the nuances of body language have an edge over those who comprehend the world only through spoken words. Verbal communication tells us just what the other person wants us to hear. But if you want to read between the lines, learn to pick the subtle hints hidden in the glint of the eye or the slight smile of the other person you are talking to. Those who know how to read someone by body language often use it to their advantage to gauge the intentions of the other person. In fact a lot of importance is given to a candidate's body language during interviews. While some take it seriously others do it just out of interest. Nevertheless, knowing to read body language of men or women will surely help us to be more alert and observant of those around.

Reading Body Language

The first clue to read body language is to observe the other person. However, such observation should be subtle. Don't let the other person understand that you are looking intently at every move or every twitch of the eye. Or else he might become conscious and uneasy. This would make him react in a way quite not like him and his body would be sending all wrong signals about the person that he is. Now that you know how to observe others, the next step is to know what to look for.

The Clues to Look For

What's in the Face?
A lot in fact! Our face is like a window to our emotions. Face is such a strong mode of non verbal communication that one look at your friend's face and you would know that all's not been hunky dory with him. Many people have mastered the art of faking one's feeling by smiling when he is not too pleased with the situation at hand. But if you are a keen observer then there is a very slim chance that you would miss the slightly upturned corner of your listener's mouth. This indicates disinterest. So you need to quickly change the subject. Other gestures that you could interpret are raised lips and corners. This indicates happiness. Narrowing of eyes with eyebrows pulled closer along with mouth turned down at the corners reflects sadness. Eyes wide open with raised eyebrows and an open mouth are signs of surprise. Disinterested eyes and one or both corners of the mouth raised into a sneer indicates contempt.

Eyes - Windows to Our Soul?
What really amazes me about these marvelous organs of vision is the clues that they give of one's feelings. You cannot but help notice the gleam in one's eyes if he is very happy. Similarly a disinterested, boring look is hard to miss. Does a person maintain constant eye contact with a pleasant expression while you are talking to him? Well done! This surely means that you have arrested his attention. An individual who is able to maintain constant eye contact is believed to have a confident personality. If a person looks away too often from you, it could either mean that he is disinterested in you or simply that he is not confident of himself. In case you suspect someone of wrongdoing or lying, look into his eyes. Failure to maintain a constant eye contact is a definite sign of lying body language.

Hands and Legs!
For long, hands and legs have been overlooked while talking of emotions and personalities. However, the way we use our hands while talking, the placement of our legs while sitting, all speak volumes of our moods and personality. For example, open palms indicate a relaxed frame of mind. However, a palm turned down doesn't necessarily mean that an individual is tense. A firm handshake reflects confidence. If someone is constantly shaking his leg or tapping his foot while sitting, then there is definitely something that's bothering him. One good news for those who suspect that this person likes him or her is that the feet or legs of an individual can have the answer to the dilemma. If a person is attracted towards someone then his feet or even his knees would always be turned towards the individual he is interested in. This is one of the sure signs of attraction as it is a result of one's intention of completely focusing his attention on the person of his fancy!

Reading Body Language of Attraction

Well, above mentioned were some of the common signs of body language explained. The domain is so vast I doubt if it can be summarized in a couple of hundred words. But in case you want to be able to interpret body language of members of the opposite sex so that you never miss a clue that he/she is interested in you, then you need to know the specific flirting gestures that men and women display. Let's begin with some flirting body movements of females:

• Tossing her hair - She knows a man's weakness for long hair and she is flaunting it!
• Twisting or playing with her hair - She is more than just interested in you.
• Touching her neck - Now she is flaunting another of her feminine attribute i.e., her thin, long neck, a definite flirting postures and gestures of women!
• The long gaze - All right, for once she can stop talking and give you her ears. Such a feat with a woman, is definitely an achievement!

Want to know if this guy is interested in you? Look for the following flirting posture of men:

• Have you seen him in acts of grooming himself like adjusting his tie, brushing his shoulder or running a finger through his hair every time you come by? Well women try to impress with their looks. And so do men!
• Does he sit up straight, square up his shoulders and holds up his head when he is sitting with you? Well this means that he is subconsciously trying to convey that he is very much the man ready to shower his affection and provide protection to you.
• Observe his body position. If he is interested in you he will face you most of the time while standing and whether sitting or standing, his body will be slightly inclined towards you.

However, to perceive men better one should also be aware of the alpha male body language. Other than these, physical closeness, occasional touch of the hand or fingers, confident but relaxed eye contact are other signs of attraction displayed by both men and women.

One's body posture may give important clues about an individual. Nevertheless, it is important to remember for those who have mastered the art of how to read body language that these are just hints to one's personality. Human nature in complex and they should not be judged conclusively on the clues that their body language give.