signal part of possible detailed explanation
body meaning(s)
looking eyes creating, Creating here is basically making things up and
right fabricating, saying them. Depending on context this can
(generally guessing, indicate lying, but in other circumstances, for
) lying, example, storytelling to a child, this would be
storytelling perfectly normal
looking eyes recalling,
left remembering,
(generally retrieving
) 'facts'
direct eye eyes honesty - or Direct eye contact is generally regarded as a
contact faked honesty sign of truthfulness, however practiced liars
(when know this and will fake the signal.
speaking)
direct eye eyes attentiveness,
contact interest,
(when attraction
listening)
widening eyes interest, Widening the eyes generally signals interest in
eyes appeal, something or someone, and often invites
invitation positive response. In women especially
widened eyes tend to increase attractiveness,
which is believed by some body language
experts to relate to the eye/face proportions of
babies, and the associated signals of attraction
and prompting urges to protect and offer love
and care, etc.
rubbing eyes disbelief, Rubbing eyes or one eye can indicate disbelief,
eye or upset, or as if checking the vision, or upset, in which the
eyes tiredness action relates to crying, or tiredness, which
can be due boredom, not necessarily a need for
sleep.
eyebrow eyes greeting,
raising recognition,
(eyebrow acknowledgem
'flash') ent
winking eyes friendly Much fuss was made in May 2007 when George
acknowledgem W Bush winked at the Queen. The fuss was
ent, complicity made because a wink is quite an intimate
(e.g., sharing a signal, directed exclusively from one person to
secret or joke) another, and is associated with male flirting.
signal part of possible detailed explanation
body meaning(s)
tight- mouth secrecy or
lipped withheld
smile feelings
smile - mouth playfulness,
head tilted, teasing,
looking up coy
biting lip mouth tension stress, which can be due to high concentration,
but more likely to be anxiousness.
teeth mouth tension,
grinding suppression
chewing mouth tension,
gum suppression
chewing mouth self- Like smoking and infant thumbsucking. The pen
pen or comforting is the teat.
pencil
nail biting mouth / frustration, Nail-biting is an inwardly-redirected aggression
hands suppression borne of fear, or some other suppression of
behaviour. Stress in this context is an
outcome..
signal part of possible detailed explanation
body meaning(s)
head head agreement
nodding
slow head head attentive This can be a faked signal. As with all body
nodding listening language signals you must look for clusters of
signals rather than relying on one alone. Look at
the focus of eyes to check the validity of slow
head nodding.
fast head head hurry up, Vigorous head nodding signifies that the
nodding impatience listener feels the speaker has made their point
or taken sufficient time.
head down head negative, Head down when responding to criticism is a
(in disintereste signal of failure, vulnerability (hence seeking
response d protection), or feeling ashamed.
to a
speaker or
proposition
)
head down head defeat, Lowering the head is a sign of loss, defeat,
(while tiredness shame, etc.
performing
an activity)
chin up head pride,
defiance,
confidence
signal part of possible detailed explanation
body meaning(s)
crossed arms defensivene
arms ss,
(folded reluctance
arms)
crossed arms hostile Clenched fists reinforce stubbornness,
arms with defensivene aggression or the lack of empathy indicated by
clenched ss crossed arms.
fists
arms held arms confidence, As demonstrated by members of the royal family,
behind authority armed forces officers, teachers, policemen, etc.
body with
hands
clasped
handbag arms nervousnes Another 'barrier' protective signal.
held in s
front of
body
(female)
arms/hand arms / nervousnes Another 'barrier' protective signal.
s covering hands s
genital
region
(male)
holding a arms / nervousnes Another 'barrier' protective signal.
drink in hands s
front of
body with
both hands
signal part of possible detailed explanation
body meaning(s)
hand(s) hands seeking to be Although easy to fake, the underlying meaning
on heart believed is one of wanting to be believed, whether being
(left side truthful or not.
of chest)
finger hands aggression, Pointing at a person is very confrontational and
pointing threat, dictatorial. Commonly adults do this to young
(at a emphasis people.
person)
finger hands emphasis Pointing in the air is generally used to add
pointing emphasis, by a person feeling in authority or
(in the power.
air)
clenched hands resistance, Logically a clenched fist prepares the hand
fist(s) aggression, (and mind and body) for battle of one sort or
determination another….
cracking hands comforting Usually male. Machismo or habit.
knuckles habit,
attention-
seeking
rubbing hands anticipation, .
hands relish
together
scratchin hands / lying or
g nose, nose exaggeration
while
speaking
neck hands / doubt, Perhaps evolved from a feeling of distrust and
scratchin neck disbelief instinct to protect the vulnerable neck area.
g
hand(s) hands / confidence, The person is emphasizing their presence and
on hip(s) arms readiness, readiness for action.
availability
hands in hands / disinterest,
pockets arms boredom
signal part of possible detailed explanation
body meaning(s)
handshak handsha dominance Usually a firm handshake, the 'upper hand'
e - palm ke tends to impose and/or create a dominant
down impression.
handshak handsha submission,
e - palm ke accommoda
up ting
handshak handsha seeking to Whether genuine or not, this handshake is
e - both ke convey unduly physical and (often) uncomfortably
hands trustworthin domineering.
ess and
honesty,
seeking to
control
handshak handsha non- Most handshakes are like this, when neither
e - equal ke threatening, person seeks to control or to yield.
and relaxed
vertical
firm handsha outward Firm handshakes are a sign of outward
handshak ke confidence confidence, which could mask deceit or a weak
e bullying nature, or indicate a strong solid
person. Strength of a handshake is not by itself
an indicator of positive 'good' mood or
personality, and caution is required in reading
this signal.
signal part of possible detailed explanation
body meaning(s)
uncrossed legs openness
legs,
sitting -
general
parallel legs properness
legs
together,
sitting
(mainly
female)
crossed legs caution, which can be due to various reasons, ranging
legs, disinterest from feeling threatened, to mildly insecure.
sitting -
general
open legs, legs arrogance, Happily extreme male open-crotch posing is
sitting combative, rarely exhibited in polite or formal situations
(mainly sexual since the signal is mainly sexual. Not a gesture
male) posturing popularly used by women, especially in formal
situations and not in a skirt.
legs legs insecurity
intertwine or sexual
d, sitting posing
(female)
legs legs insecurity Typically observed in groups of standing people
crossed, or at parties or other gatherings, defensive signals
standing submission such as crossed legs and arms among the less
(scissor or confident group members
stance) engagemen
t
shoe-play feet relaxation, A woman would usually be relaxed to display
(female) flirting, this signal. In certain situations, dangling a shoe
sexual from the foot, and more so slipping the foot in
and out of the shoe has sexual overtones.