The Way You Move - Body Language [Series-I]

When I talk to people, the first thing that always reaches me are their gestures, the way they move their hands, their eyes and their body language in general even before I hear what they say..maybe just me?

I don't think so - there are a lot of people that fall into my category.Those of us who notice probably...

Don't you know people who laugh with their hands covering their mouths? haven't you shared a table with people who drum on the dining table? chatted with people who shift from one leg to another, throw their heads back while laughing, smile while they type e-mails, shake hands at every word you say, stand very close to you while talking, interject their conversation with nervous laughter, mask their sentences with false confidence by talking very loudly....so many ways...

Picking up from a wiki - the following caught my attention:

Per formal definition, is a term for communication using body movements or gestures instead of, or in addition to, sounds, verbal language or other communication. It forms part of the category of para language, which describes all forms of human communication that are not verbal language. This includes the most subtle of movements that many people are not aware of, including winking and slight movement of the eyebrows. In addition body language can also incorporate the use of other facial expressions.

-One of the most basic and powerful body-language signals is when a person crosses his or her arms across the chest. This can indicate that a person is putting up an unconscious barrier between themselves and others. It can also indicate that the person's arms are cold which would be clarified by rubbing the arms or huddling. When the overall situation is amicable, it can mean that a person is thinking deeply about what is being discussed. But in a serious or confrontational situation, it can mean that a person is expressing opposition. This is especially so if the person is leaning away from the speaker. A harsh or blank facial expression often indicates outright hostility. Such a person is not an ally, and may be considering contentious tactics.

-Consistent eye contact can indicate that a person is thinking positively of what the speaker is saying. It can also mean that the other person doesn't trust the speaker enough to "take his eyes off" the speaker. Lack of eye contact can indicate negativity. On the other hand, individuals with anxiety disorders are often unable to make eye contact without discomfort. Eye contact is often a secondary and misleading gesture because we are taught from an early age to make eye contact when speaking. If a person is looking at you but is making the arms-across-chest signal, the eye contact could be indicative that something is bothering the person, and that he wants to talk about it. Or if while making direct eye contact a person is fiddling with something, even while directly looking at you, it could indicate the attention is elsewhere.

-Disbelief is often indicated by averted gaze, or by touching the ear or scratching the chin. When a person is not being convinced by what someone is saying, the attention invariably wanders, and the eyes will stare away for an extended period.

-Boredom is indicated by the head tilting to one side, or by the eyes looking straight at the speaker but becoming slightly unfocused.

-Interest can be indicated through posture or extended eye contact.

-Deceit or the act of withholding information can sometimes be indicated by constantly touching the face during conversation/ covering the mouth while talking.

There is so much more to this topic - I'll write a series on it probably :-)

So, the next time you meet a person, eat, or talk - observe the various patterns...it is pretty fascinating.

Better still, look within yourself and see what you are conveying to the world!