Paranoid
Senior Don Juan
You know what I mean by body language. Non-verbal movement used to convey a message. It can be a powerful tool if you can read it correctly. Like anything else worth knowing, there is an art to it. When you interact with others, your words make up only 30 to 35% of communication, and when you converse with another person, you're letting them know things you'd never imagine--without even saying a word.
Let's say that you're at a party, and you spot someone from across the room that looks interesting to you. You suavely maneuver yourself from the palm tree that you've been hovering under for the last half hour until you're close enough to say something to the object of your interest. You step into view, and suddenly he or she looks at you, and you can't read what they're thinking. So you slink off, afraid that if you open your mouth, anything you utter will just sound intrusive. Has this ever happened to you?
Whether we like it or not, our bodies are sending messages constantly. Sometimes it's a clear message. Other time, it's a bit subtler. We often don't even realize what our bodies are communicating to everyone around us. But, if we want to learn a few basic nonverbal signs, we can improve our ability to read the body language of others, as well as control our own.
Here are some basic signs:-.
Anxiety:
Not looking at you
Throat-clearing
Fidgeting
Hands covering mouth
Tugging at clothes
Jingling things in pockets
Ear-tugging
Hand-wringing
Sweating
Glances at exit door
Taking a step back
All of these signs display some form of discomfort. What can be confusing is that we don't know if it means that the person you're getting these signals from wants to leave or is just plain nervous around you. Ways to tell might be to notice if this person is trying to keep the conversation going (that's a big clue, isn't it?), and is this person smiling even though he or she looks anxious?
Open:
Open body posture
Smiling
Repeating glances
These are simple friendly gestures that could suggest the person wants to get to know you. The best thing to do is to just be warm and friendly right back at them.
Interested:
Leaning forward
Facing you directly
Tilting head
Sitting on edge of chair
Hand-to-face gestures
Smiling
Grooming behavior
Moistening lips
Playing with hair or clothes
Picking lint off your jacket
Touching you briefly
Tapping foot to music as you pass
The only clearer signs than these would be if they came right out and told you that they were interested. Flirt!
Evaluating:
Hand-to-face gestures
Stroking chin
Head tilted
Holding glasses' earpiece to mouth
Pacing
Hand to bridge of nose
Squinting
A person who exhibits these signs wants to hear more of whatever it is you're saying. Chances are, he or she will be asking you the questions.
Frustrated:
Running hands through hair
Rubbing back of neck
Wringing hands
Clenching hands
Kicking imaginary objects on ground
Something is definitely wrong here. You can choose to ask if everything is okay, or cut your losses and move along.
Territorial/Dominant:
Feet up
Leaning against object
Moving things around on table
Standing or leaning over you
Hands behind head, leaning back
This person feels more comfortable when in control. He or she might have difficulty letting their guard down. You could talk for a bit and see what happens.
Hope these subtle signs help you.
Paranoid.
Let's say that you're at a party, and you spot someone from across the room that looks interesting to you. You suavely maneuver yourself from the palm tree that you've been hovering under for the last half hour until you're close enough to say something to the object of your interest. You step into view, and suddenly he or she looks at you, and you can't read what they're thinking. So you slink off, afraid that if you open your mouth, anything you utter will just sound intrusive. Has this ever happened to you?
Whether we like it or not, our bodies are sending messages constantly. Sometimes it's a clear message. Other time, it's a bit subtler. We often don't even realize what our bodies are communicating to everyone around us. But, if we want to learn a few basic nonverbal signs, we can improve our ability to read the body language of others, as well as control our own.
Here are some basic signs:-.
Anxiety:
Not looking at you
Throat-clearing
Fidgeting
Hands covering mouth
Tugging at clothes
Jingling things in pockets
Ear-tugging
Hand-wringing
Sweating
Glances at exit door
Taking a step back
All of these signs display some form of discomfort. What can be confusing is that we don't know if it means that the person you're getting these signals from wants to leave or is just plain nervous around you. Ways to tell might be to notice if this person is trying to keep the conversation going (that's a big clue, isn't it?), and is this person smiling even though he or she looks anxious?
Open:
Open body posture
Smiling
Repeating glances
These are simple friendly gestures that could suggest the person wants to get to know you. The best thing to do is to just be warm and friendly right back at them.
Interested:
Leaning forward
Facing you directly
Tilting head
Sitting on edge of chair
Hand-to-face gestures
Smiling
Grooming behavior
Moistening lips
Playing with hair or clothes
Picking lint off your jacket
Touching you briefly
Tapping foot to music as you pass
The only clearer signs than these would be if they came right out and told you that they were interested. Flirt!
Evaluating:
Hand-to-face gestures
Stroking chin
Head tilted
Holding glasses' earpiece to mouth
Pacing
Hand to bridge of nose
Squinting
A person who exhibits these signs wants to hear more of whatever it is you're saying. Chances are, he or she will be asking you the questions.
Frustrated:
Running hands through hair
Rubbing back of neck
Wringing hands
Clenching hands
Kicking imaginary objects on ground
Something is definitely wrong here. You can choose to ask if everything is okay, or cut your losses and move along.
Territorial/Dominant:
Feet up
Leaning against object
Moving things around on table
Standing or leaning over you
Hands behind head, leaning back
This person feels more comfortable when in control. He or she might have difficulty letting their guard down. You could talk for a bit and see what happens.
Hope these subtle signs help you.
Paranoid.