If a person leans away from you, they are probably feeling stress. If they are leaning back as if they are relaxed, it can be an indicator that they feel powerful and in control. [3] X Research source Poor posture can mean that a person lacks self esteem or harbors negative feelings.
Not crossing arms or legs indicates positive feelings. Looking away, as if shy, is a sign of positive emotion toward you. Leaning toward you is a positive body language movement.
Crossing arms or legs is a movement that shows wariness. Pointing feet away or toward an exit means a person may have negative feelings. Looking to the side or leaning away is a sign of negative body language. When a person touches their nose, eyes or back of neck, it can indicate negative feelings.
Smiling authentically uses more facial muscles. [6] X Research source The laugh lines or wrinkles around the eye are caused by the orbicularis oculi, and are muscles activated in genuine smiles. [7] X Research source Fast smiles are less likely to be genuine. Fake smiles are sometimes bigger because the person is trying to stretch their face.
Dilated pupils indicate interest. [8] X Research source Power gazing means a person only looks into the triangle from your eyes to your forehead, meaning they are avoiding intimacy. If they look from your eyes to your mouth and down, that indicates a desire for intimacy. Looking from the eyes to the mouth only is called social gazing and shows comfort and friendship. [9] X Research source Sustained eye contact can indicate an attempt to dominate or can give away that a person is lying. Eye contact for two to three seconds before looking away connotes confidence. Eye contact for 1 second or less indicates evasion or insecurity. [10] X Research source Fast blinking can be a sign a person is interested in you. Liars will often look to the right when thinking. Some experts believe this is because they are concocting a story. [11] X Research source Closing the eyes for a sustained period of time means a person needs time to think. [12] X Research source
When a person keeps their palms down, it indicates they feel powerful. A downward palm can also be a sign that something is being rejected or stopped. When a person keeps their palms up, it can indicate submissiveness. Upward palms also indicate giving and an offering. [13] X Research source
When someone touches your hand briefly, it shows they want a connection to you. [15] X Research source When a person rubs their nose, they might be lying. If a person hides their hands, they might be hiding something from you. [16] X Research source When a person rests their chin on their hand, they’re making a decision. Scratching the back of the neck means a person has unanswered questions. Watch out for mirroring gestures. When a person starts to copy your expressions and gestures, it usually means they want to sell you something. [17] X Research source Moving into personal space can be a sign of intimidation. Raising the eyebrows means a person thinks positively about you and wants to communicate better. [18] X Research source
Small ears indicate an attention to detail and determination. People with large ears can be objective and spiritual. People with ears that stick out may be adventurous types who are open to trying new things. When people have ears that are high on their head, it can indicate they are intellectual and big thinkers.
This tells you it would be effective to offer praise for accomplishments. It pinpoints an area of vulnerability. Study whether a person’s word choice matches their body language. Inconsistency can be telling. [20] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
Using a question to answer a question gives them more time to make up a story. When people add qualifiers like “to the best of my knowledge” they might be lying. When people are lying, they will sometimes remove references to themselves, avoiding use of the word “I. " [21] X Research source When lying, people sometimes use the present tense to refer to past events. Some studies have found that people who use more formal speech might be lying. For example, they might not use contractions or will use titles. People who are guilty of something will sometimes use words that soften the act. For example, instead of a word like steal, they might use a word like borrow.
People who talk too fast and too much are usually insecure or anxious. [22] X Research source Sighing indicates sadness and frustration. If a person speaks too slowly, they may be depressed or lack spontaneity. If a person’s voice changes pitch suddenly, they might be lying. A repetitive tone of voice indicates insincerity. Men may vary their tone of voice more when they are attracted to a woman. [23] X Research source
Longer or shorter sentences than average is an indication of stress. Some experts believe you can tell a person is lying if they deviate from the mean length of utterance significantly. They will single out those sentences to study more closely.
Chinese medicine has a word for the energy a person gives off: Chi. Another word for emotional energy is a person’s “vibe. " To assess a person’s energy, you may need to touch them, through a hug or handshake or just by touching their hand.
Goose bumps can be a physical sign the body gives you that tells you something is not right. Or they might just indicate a sense of deja vu. [26] X Research source Does a person make you feel drained or energized? This gives you clues to their emotional vibe. Pay attention to flashes of insight that interrupt your thinking. What’s your sense of a person’s overall energy? Not a gesture or tone here or there, but the overall atmosphere they create and feeling they give off?
Is their gaze hard and angry or soft and welcoming? Intimacy can be created through a simple gaze. Pay careful attention to the body language around the eyes. [27] X Research source
People with fire energy are flamboyant, hysterical, and exciting. A person who has wood energy is vital, new, and energetic. People with earth energy are practical and methodical. People with metal energy are depressed and withdrawn. Water energy is an indicator of peacefulness and objectivity.
