Communication goes beyond mere words. Whether we're conscious of it or not, our bodies communicate a lot about how we're feeling and what we're thinking in their own special way. It's always good to be aware of what it says about you and other people... especially in awkward situations when it's difficult to tell what a person means or thinks by what they're saying

According to one body language article I read, body language is the key indicator and when talking to a person the information that we receive can be broken down as:

10% from what the person actually says
40% from the tone and speed of voice
50% is from their body language.

Here's a list of some key body movements and what they mean (some of them are a little obvious I guess but others are quite interesting). No-one is ever going to pull the wool over your eyes if you memorize all of these. Could definitely come in handy in a job interview or date situation .

In the same token, you can't take everything too literally. Someone may just have an itchy nose...:


HEAD

- Lowering one's head can signal a lack of confidence. If someone lowers their head when complimented, they may be shy or timid

- Touching or tugging at one's ear can indicate indecisiveness

- Sincere smiles encompass the whole face (noticeable in the eyes)

- A false smile usually only engages the lips

- Tilting one's head can symbolize interest in something or someone

- Overly tilted heads can be a sign of sympathy

- Closing of eyes or pinching at the bridge of one's nose is often done when making a negative evaluation

- When a listener nods, this is usually a positive message and relays that they are interested and paying attention
However, excessive nodding can imply that the listener has lost interest but doesn't want to be rude

- Touching/rubbing one's nose may indicate doubtfulness or rejection of an idea

- Sticking out one's chin toward another may show defiance

- Resting a hand on one's cheek is often done if they are thinking or pondering; and stroking the chin can mean the person is trying to make a decision


UPPER BODY

- Pushing back one's shoulders can demonstrate power and courage

- Open arms means one is comfortable with being approached and willing to talk/communicate

- Folded arms show that there is a sort of barricade between them and other people (or their surroundings) and indicate dissatisfaction

- Resting one's arms behind their neck shows that they are open to what is being discussed and interested in listening more

- Pointing one's finger can be construed as aggression or assertiveness

- Touching the front of the neck can show that someone is interested and concerned about what another is saying

- Hand movements that are upward & outward signify positive and open messages

- Palms that are faced outwards towards another indicate one's wish to stop and not approach

- If one's fingers are interlaced or if the finger tips are pressed together, it usually shows that a person is thinking and evaluating

- If offering ideas to other people, many times the sides of one's palms are close together, with fingers extended


LOWER BODY

- Putting your hands on your hips can show eagerness and readiness (also, at times, aggression)

- Hips pushed forward, while leaning back can show that one feels powerful (also can be a suggestive gesture)

- A wide stance - where one's feet are positioned far apart - signifies more power and dominance

- When one sits with legs open and part, they might feel secure in their surroundings

- Crossed legs can mean several things: relaxed/comfortable, or defensive - depending on how tense the leg muscles are

- When you cross your legs towards another person, you are showing more interest in them than when they are crossed away in the other direction

- A confident and powerful position is the "Figure of Four Cross" when one's ankle is atop the other leg's knee and the top leg is pointed sideways

- Bouncing your foot if your legs are crossed can show that you are bored or losing patience


EYES

The lowering of the eyes can convey fear, guilt or submission

Lowered eyebrows and squinted eyes illustrate an attempt at understanding what is being said or going on

A lack of confidence or apprehensiveness can be displayed when you don't look another person in the eyes

One tends to blink more often if nervous or trying to evaluate someone else

If you look directly into another person's eyes you are displaying self-assurance

Wide eyes show more of an interest in a subject or person

If you are irritated with a comment made by another during a conversation, a common movement is to take a quick glance sideways

Staring at someone can be an aggressive gesture or suggest that the one staring feels dominant

Recalling a memory is usually done by looking up and to the right

Looking directly upwards can indicate that one is thinking

Eye contact is normally broken if someone feels insulted by another



After reading this, I'm going to be so conscious about every movement and gesture I make in conversation for fear of giving out the wrong signals that I'll probably just come across as very strange

Anyone got any other good body language signs to add to the list?