How to Read Body Language
Body language is the silent language we all need to know and understand. Reading body language correctly will give us accurate clues and hints on what a person really feels without saying anything. Here are some “words” of the language that you need to know about.
Establish Baseline
As you may know, not everyone has the same relaxed position. Some people may look like they’re frowning with crossed arms, and you may even think that they are angry. However, sometimes people are just like that, in their most relaxed. To read a person’s body language accurately, you must observe them in their most relaxed position.
When reading someone’s body language, keep in mind that these subtle signs always happen simultaneously with one another, and it is the combination of the different positions that can accurately inform you of the person’s inner thoughts.
Arms and Hands
Check how the arms and hands are positioned. Arms crossed over the chest means that the person is closed to outside influence or simply does not like you. Hands behind the head means the opposite, the overly open gesture indicating that the person is open to your ideas. Hands in pockets means can mean that the person is relaxed. However, paired with an overall nervous manner, hands in pockets can also mean that the person is nervous or shy in your presence.
Eyes
The saying “Eyes are the windows into your soul” is not without its backup. Shifty eyes or eyes that refuse to look back are nervous or lying. If someone is not focused on you while you are talking, it means that they are thinking of something else.
You can even tell if someone is lying by their eyes. People who look to their left while saying something means that they are making something up, instead of relaying factual events that really happened.
You can also determine if a person is really smiling if the smile reaches their eyes. If the eyes are crinkled when smiling, this means that the person is genuinely smiling at you.
Head
Heads tilted extremely to the left or the right of the person may indicate sympathy, or at least an attempt to convince you of empathy or honesty.
Lowered heads towards the floor may indicate shyness, nervousness, or keeping distance from you.
Nervous Gestures
Nervous gestures can indicate when someone is annoyed with you, or they are disagreeing with your opinion. Flicking or fiddling off hair, a raised eyebrow, adjusting glasses when they do not need adjusting, all point towards nervous gestures. Nervous gestures can mean discomfort or skepticism.
A person tapping their feet or shifting weight from one foot to another is also a nervous gesture or a sign of boredom.
Quick Tips
The best way to read a person is to interact with them. Combining your observational skills with your social skills are the best ways to get an accurate “reading” from people.
Mimicry or another person mirroring your actions means that the person is attracted or is comfortable around you.