Reading And Interpretation Of Body Language

Consciously or unconsciously, humans can send and receive messages through body language. It is a form of nonverbal communication, which mainly involves gestures using the different parts of the body. It would truly be an advantage if you know how to read and interpret another person's body language for the very reason that you can determine his or her mood, expressions, and desires.

There are several gestures that a person uses in different specific situations – at work, in a job interview, dinner date, or even in a casual conversation. The eyes, arms, and hands are the body parts frequently used to communicate, even unconsciously.

Eye Language

Eye contact is the most powerful language using the eyes. It have different meanings. It can indicate mistrust from another person when he cannot take his eyes off the speaker, or it may mean that the person has a positive outlook or interest on what the speaker is saying. In instances that a person would look from one eye to another then another area, there are different interpretations as well.

Movement from one eye to another then to the forehead indicates that the person is looking at authoritative figure. Another instance is when the person would look from one eye to the other then to the nose, this means that there are no level of superiority in either party. The last case indicates a sign of romance or attraction when the person would look from one eye to another then down to the lips.

However, the eyes can be misleading, especially if there are other gestures accompanying it. Despite direct eye contact, when the person you are speaking to is still fiddling something with his hands, it means that is mind is elsewhere but you. If he is looking at you but with the arms crossed, it indicates signs of bother or defense from you. Another case is when there is eye contact but the head is slightly tilted. This indicates boredom. Lies can be spotted as well when there is excessive blinking and no eye contact.

Crossed Arms

Arms crossed across the chest is one of the most powerful and basic gestures used by anyone. One can form a barrier between himself and another person by crossing his arms, or it may simply mean that he feels cold. It can also indicate as a protection or defense in nervous or anxious situations.

When you are talking to someone and he would cross his arms, it means that he opposes, suspects, or doubts what you are saying. But if he is talking with his arms crossed, it means that he may be nervous, lying, or hiding something from you.

Hand Movements

The pockets are never the right place to put your hands into. A person with his hands in the pocket may indicate that he is nervous, uncomfortable, bored, or uninterested. This gesture indicates also that he may be hiding something from you or he doesn't want to engage in a specific activity or task.

An open palm means sincerity or honesty. A clenched fist is a very clear indication of frustration, anger, resistance, and defense. But there are times wherein it indicates confidence in one's idea or opinion. Nervousness or anxiousness is seen in someone who is tapping or twitching his fingers. Rubbing of hands, meanwhile, may indicate extreme excitement or cold feeling.

Read another person by reading his body language. One's actions definitely have more honesty compared to the words coming out from his mouth.