Body language - all around

Introduction

There are some things I need to clarify about body language before you continue reading. First of, do not assume just because someone crosses their arms, their withholding them selves, maybe it's just cold. Or because they're rubbing their eyes, their lying, maybe their just tired. We will cover a few different areas of body language: The Voice, The Arms, The Legs, The Eyes, The Mouth, Eyes, Handshakes, and some other miscellaneous (but important) topics. To help you visualize some signs, I will include images of famous politicians and celebrities making these signs.

Body Language Fallacies and Warnings

Here are a few fallacies and warning about Body Language:

• Do not use eye direction to determine what the subject is thinking. Eye position varies from person to person.
• Although Lie To Me is a good source to learn some single signs, it is a bit over dramatized for a good television.
• This list is mainly for people living in Europe and America, in places like the Middle East and Asia, some of these signs vary.

Barriers

These signs are sometimes the body trying to create a barrier between you and them, usually because they defensive or closed to you They could be defensive because they feel you are being threatening, or aggressive. Barriers could be arms crossed over the body, or placing a cup or any other object between you and the subject.

Self-comfort / Auto-contact

These signs are the body trying to comfort it's self, usually because they feel insecure, unhappy, or unsafe. They may also feel nervous or bored, it's depends on context and other signs to determine the meaning.

Masking

The intentional use of body language to deceive or manipulate others. For example, if a murder kills their wife, he will not likely smile about it, to hide the fact that he killed her. It portrays false feelings.

Alpha

Alpha Signals are signs that are made by subjects that feel superior to everyone in the room. They fell as though they are an alpha in a room of betas. The project arrogant and condescending emotions.

Mirroring

Mirroring, in body language refers to when your subject is subconsciously copying another body language. They often do this when they feel comfortable around them. And sometime attracted. This doesn't mean that is someone is mirroring they are attracted to you, they may just feel comfortable around you. To tell if someone is mirroring you, compare your body language. If you share many similar signs, such as body positing, arm position, and so on, then they may be mirroring you. To be sure they are mirroring you, try moving you body around. Maybe lean back, reposition your arm. If they copy, they are likely mirroring you. You can also make people feel more open in a conversazione, and feel more trusted by purposely mirroring them.

The Arms

Crossed arms with fists

This is partially a barrier sign and partially hostile. The clenched fists may indicate aggression or stubbornness.

Other Meanings:

• Defensiveness
• Reluctance
• Coldness

Gripping Upper Arms

Whether it's crossed arms while gripping upper arm, or arm across body, this is usually a self comforting sign. This is like the body hugging it's self, to reassure itself about an unpleasant feeling. It can also be a barrier signal, depending on the context and other body language.

Other Meanings:

• Defensiveness
• Nervousness
• Coldness
• Insecurity

Hands clasped behind body

This stance is used to show confidence, or authority. You usually see people which are superior to most making this gesture, such as presidents, teachers, and officers.
Other Meanings:

• Readiness

Height of elbow while on phone

Generally, the higher someone put their elbow while on the phone, the more superior they feel. Most people put their elbow almost against their body when on the phone, but a high elbow may mean arrogance.

Other Meanings:

• Alpha

More Common Barriers

There are many barriers that humans use. Remember, there may also be other reasons for these. For example, a girl may put her bag in front of her to protect it from theft. Or may man may simple be adjusting his watch because it's too tight. remember to check for other signs.

Barriers:

• Putting a hand bag in front of the body.
• Holding papers or folder across chest.
• Holding a drink in front of the body. More likely if using both hands.
• Adjusting a watch or other items across the body.
• Hands covering genital area. [An instinct to prevent from threats]
• Hands covering the neck. [An instinct to prevent from threats]
• Moving a cup or other object in between you and the subject.
• Touching, scratching, holding shoulder across the body.

• use they feel insecure, unhappy, or unsafe. They may also feel nervous or bored, it's depends on context and other signs to determine the meaning.
  
  

The Hands

Palms opened/up

This sign as many meanings, and it relies on context you figure out what they mean. If many cases, it is an attempt to show honesty or submissiveness. It may have evolved to show that we do not hold a weapon and we are no threat. It may also mean that you don't know, kind of showing that your hands are empty, and you don't have an answer. This gesture is no so subliminal like many others are, so it may just be a mask.
Other Meanings

• Attempted Trustworthiness
• Not guilty

Palms opened/forward (The "Stop" Sign)

This sign is a defensive sign. It's usually made when the subject want someone or something to stop. This sign is usually made with the palm facing the person or things they wish would stop, but it may be made subconsciously by the side of the body. Seeing someone making this sign from afar usually means they are in some sort of argument, or are annoyed and fed up with someone.

Other Meanings

• Slow down

• Greeting

Hand over Heart

This sign is usually a conscious, or at least partially conscious, sign. The subject uses it to show they they are seeking to be believe, whether they are lying or not.
Other Meanings

• Chest Pains
• Could be meant as a barrier, if closer to the neck

Finger Point

This is a sign of aggression. It generally point at the person or object the subject is angered at. People they hold positions of high authority will often do a 2 fingered point to attempt to intimidate their "opponent". Politicians will also try to refrain from pointing, but will point with their thumb to hide it. This is very commonly done by Obama.
Other Meanings

• Alpha
• Signalling someone
• Emphasis
• Illustration

Clenched Fists

This is most commonly a sign of aggression, or defense. If someone is feeling threatened, or offended, they make fists as to prepare to fight. The meaning all depends on context though.
Other Meanings:

• Resistance
• Determination
• Coldness

Thumbs in Clenched Fists

This sign is generally made to be self comforting, holding your own body part.
Other Meanings:

• Security
• Frustration

The Claw

This is a sign of arrogance. The hand is in a claw-like shape, halfway between a fist and a completely opened hand. It is usually meaning that the subject feels superior to everyone in the room, like an alpha. They have a pretty high self confidence.
Other Meanings

• Alpha
• Signalling someone
• Emphasis

Hand Chop

This is when the subject moves their hands in a chopping like motion while speaking. This sign maybe be condescending. If the fingers are together, this is usually an alpha signal, and is condescending. If the fingers are opened, it is more beta and inferior.
Other Meanings:

• Alpha/Beta
• Emphasis

Prayer Hand Chop

This is when the subject has their hands in prayer formation, and moves them in a chopping motion while speaking. This is a very condescending gesture.
Other Meanings:

• Alpha

Finger Pointing in Air

This sign generally used for emphasis, by people of higher authority.

Other Meanings:

• Signalling

Finger Wagging

This sign is a meaning for warning.

Knuckle Cracking

This is sometimes a means to draw attentions to oneself.

Other Meanings:

• Preparation
• Comforting Habit

Signs of Deceit (Manipulators)

These are some signs that generally imply fabrication or lying, but be wary as they may just be coincidence. Many of these signs are done to hide blushing/blood flow, as lying increases blood flow and causes redness.

Signs:

• Touching Mouth/Face
• Touching/Itching Nose
• Tugging Ear
• Rubbing Eye

The Legs

Leg Position

The direction of the legs most generally signifies the area the subject is paying attention to. Legs pointed towards the door usually means they want to leave, or pointed at the window means they are focused on somethings out the windows. Make sure you also note where their torso is facing and their feet.
Other Meanings:

• Weird Sitting Position

Uncrossed Legs

This sign usually shows openness in the subject. Crossed legs usually means a sense of a closed attitude.

Other Meanings:

• Relaxing

Parallel Straight Legs

When some, usually female, sits in with their legs strait and parallel, they are usually conveying a sing of proneness.

Crossed Legs

This is sometimes a sign of a closed attitude. If someones legs suddenly change to this position, the may suddenly have felt a sense of threat, discomfort, or disinterest.
Other Meanings:

• Barrier (especially if arms are crossed, or fists are clenched)
• Uncomfortable Seat

Intertwined Legs

When the subject's (Main Girls) legs are cross, and one legged is sort of wrapping around the other, this is either crossed logs above, or flirting. It take other signs to be able to tell. This is a very sexual sign, suggesting flirting or attraction.

Other Meanings:

• Crossed Legs

Shoe Play

When the subject is playing with her feet or shoes, such as slipping the show of the foot and back on, this suggest sexual attraction, or flirting.

Other Meanings:

• Relaxation
• Hot

Figure-4 Crossed Legs

When one legs is crossed over or under the other leg to form figure 4, this is usually a sign of independence, or stubbornness. It can be seen as a form of a barrier, but more of a barrier separating you from the subject.

Other Meanings:

• Alpha
• Resistance

Sitting Open Legs

This is a generally arrogant sign. It means the subject is feeling confident and dominant. This exposes the genitalia so is rarely done in formal situations, but if it is, then the subject either very arrogant or ignorant.
Other Meanings:

• Alpha
• Resistance

Standing Legs Apart

This is a sign for readiness. The subject is ready for action, whether it be a fight or work. But this sign more commonly means an aggressive readiness. Fists or hands on the hips can support the aggressiveness.

Other Meanings:

• Aggression

Standing at Attention

This is means a military stance, legs straight, arms straight, and body upright. This is usually demonstrated my military personal and learned from the military. This is a sign of respect for someone in authority.

Ankles Locked

This is a barrier sign, a sign of defensiveness.

Other Meanings:

• Boredom

Any Questions?

CREDITS: UNRELATED HF