Parts-of-the-body language

You can send signals with individual parts of the body as well as in concert. Here's details of the contributions of each part of the body.

Head body language

The head can send such a wide range of signals that the face and other parts of the head are covered in other pages. Here, we focus just on movement of the head as affected by the neck muscles.

Lowering
A lowered head covers the neck with the chin and hence can be a defensive posture that can occur as a result of any perceived threat not just physical threat!. "owering the head also lowers the eyes and hence can be a sign of submission, effectively saying '# dare not even look at you'. The eyes are typically also lowered here. #t can be driven by affection 'you are so wonderful'! or fear 'you might hurt me if # look at you'!. "owering the head whilst maintaining eye contact can also be a strong flirting signal, typically by women. #t says 'You are superior and # just can't take my eyes off you'. #t can also be a sign of defiance or caution, for e$ample when showing respect to an enemy 'You are strong and # do not trust you'!. %ometimes, lowering the head is just a sign of e$haustion. The head is rather heavy and a tired person's head will sag. "owering the head can be a part of ducking as the person refle$ively pulls the head down to avoid a real or imagined ha&ard. This makes the body smaller and protects the neck. A single short lowering of the head can be an abbreviated nod. This is a common greeting, perhaps as a small bow. #t may also be a signal of power '# am so powerful people are paying will notice even a small nod'!. Again it may be a deliberate concealment, sending covert agreement to a colleague.

Raising
'hen the head is low, raising it may be a sign of interest as the person moved to looking at the point of interest. This is typically accompanied by other e$pressions of interest such as raised eyebrows. (rom a level position, a )uick flick upwards can be a sign of )uery ''hat do you mean*'!. +aising the head and looking at the ceiling may signal boredom. #t may also indicate a visual thinker who is looking at internal images. Another alternative is where a person wants to focus on the sound and is thus averting the eyes in order to concentrate on the sound.

Tilting
Tilting the head sideways can be a sign of interest, which may be in what is said or happening. #t can also be a flirting signal as it says '# am interested in you,' Tilting can similarly indicate curiosity, uncertainty or )uery, particularly if the head is pushed forward, as if the person was trying to look at the subject in a different way in the hope of seeing something new. The greater the tilt, the greater the uncertainty or the greater the intent to send this signal. A tilted head pulled back tends to indicate suspicion, as the uncertainty of the tilt is combined with a defensive pulling back. The tilted head e$poses the carotid artery on the side of the neck and may be a sign of submission and feelings of vulnerability. #f the head is propped up by the hand, it may be tiredness or an e$pectation of continued interest 'This is so interesting,'!.

Oscillating (nodding and shaking)

-odding up and down signals agreement in most cultures and may well be accompanied by smiling and other signs of approval. A vigorous nodding probably indicates strong agreement, whilst slow nodding may indicate conditional agreement and so may be )uestioned if you want full agreement!. Turning the head from side to side usually indicates disagreement or disapproval and may originate in infant refusal of food. Again, speed of swinging indicates strength of feeling. A head tilted down whilst swinging may signal particular disapproval '# don't even want to look at you'!. Alternately tilting the head at an angle to each side can say '#'m not sure', though in %outhern #ndia it means 'Yes'. -odding or shaking the head whilst talking is an encouragement for the other person to agree which works surprisingly often!. -odding whilst the other person is talking sends approval signals and encourages them to keep talking. %haking the head shows disagreement and they may either stop and seek your view or redouble their attempts to persuade you. A nod can be used when emphasi&ing a point. The may range from a subtle encouragement to agree to a rapid and aggressive tilt. A short, sharp nod can symboli&e a head.butt, indicating the desire to strike the other person this may be in emphasis or for other reasons!. %haking the head when saying something positive is a negative signal and may indicate the person does not believe what they are saying.

Rotating
+otation of the head in a circle is a relatively rare gesture and may just be the person e$ercising a stiff neck if they should be paying attention, this may thus indicate boredom!. Turning the head away removes attention and thus may say '# do not want to communicate with you'. This can be very insulting as it denies the e$istence of the other person. Turning the head slightly to the side points the ear at the other person, perhaps better to hear them. This is usually accompanied by continued eye contact and the hand may be cupped behind the ear. A slight head turn also puts one eye in the middle of your head as the other person sees it. To make eye contact they thus have to focus on one eye. This can be very

disconcerting and this 'one.eye' ga&e may be used as an act of dominance #t may also be used in the act of 'giving the evil eye'!. A slight rotation on top of oscillation may indicate incomplete agreement or disagreement, for e$ample where a nod has a slight additional side.to.side movement, indicating primary or e$ternal agreement but with a certain amount of disagreement too which may be significant if they feel coerced into agreement!.

Pointer
'e tend to point at people and things in which we are interested in some way. /ointing the head and face at another person shows interest in them. #n groups and meetings, you can often see power people as others often look at them. "ikewise, the less significant people are not looked at often. 'e can also point with a twitch of the head in any given direction. /ointing at a person in this way without looking can be insulting and can be subtle, for e$ample where you do not want the indicated person is being pointed at.

Touching
'e can touch the head in many places. Touching the face is a common sign of an$iety and people tend to have preferred places they touch or stroke when they are concerned. This is a classic pattern that poker players look for in other players as signs of having good or bad hands. 0overing eyes, ears or mouth may say we do not want to see, hear or say something. 'e may touch the side of the nose or stroke the chin when we are thinking, making decisions and judging others. Tapping the head can be self.punishment and hence signal regret, for e$ample tapping the forehead with the heel of the hand '#'m stupid,'!. -ote that, depending on conte$t, this can also be a signal that somebody else is considered stupid. The head is heavy and when tired we may prop it up, either under the chin or at the side. 1oredom makes us tired so propping the head may indicate this. /ropping up the head also happens when a person is thinking or evaluating. #n some cultures, the head is considered the part of the body that is most spiritual. Touching the head can be considered wrong in such conte$ts.

Unmoving
The head often moves during speaking and often to signal submission or an$iety. 'hen it does not move, it may indicate that the person is serious or talking from a position of authority. 'ith a stable head, it is easier to fi$ others with a dominant ga&e. This is a )uite significant effect that actors often use. 2ust holding your head steady can lead to others affording you higher status. 'hen the head is not moving and the eyes are not focused the person may not be attending outer world, instead being lost in inner thoughts and musings.

Face body language

The face has around 34 muscles in it, with about 54 of these purely for e$pressing emotion. #t can thus be used to send many non.verbal signals, using its various features in concert.

olor

Red
A generally red face may indicate that the person is hot as the blood come to the to surface to be cooled. They may heat up either from e$ercise or emotional arousal, for e$ample when they are e$cited and energi&ed. A red face is typical of a person who is angry. This is a clear danger signal, warning the other person that they may be harmed if they do not back down. /eople blush with embarrassment in various ways. %ome people's neck goes red. 'ith others it is mostly the cheeks. %ometimes the whole face goes red.

White
'hite skin may be a sign of coldness as the blood goes deep to avoid cooling further. 'hite skin is also an indication of fear, often e$treme. This happens as the blood abandons a surface that might be cut, going to muscles where its power is needed more.

Blue
The skin can also take on a bluish tinge. This can also indicate coldness or e$treme fear.

!oisture
%weating is the body's natural cooling mechanism when it gets hot, possibly from e$citement and emotional arousal. %weat is also associated with fear, perhaps to make the skin slippery and hence prevent an opponent from taking a firm grasp.

"motions
Here are some of the facial signals that you might see for different emotions. 6o note that these are only possible indicators7 not all signals are needed and not all signals indicated here necessarily indicate the associated emotion. "motion An$iety #acial signals 8yes damp9 eyebrows slightly pushed together9 trembling lower lip9 chin possibly wrinkled9 head slightly tilted down. 8yes wide, closed or pointing down9 raised eyebrows9 mouth open or corners turned down9 chin pulled in9 head down, white face. 8yes wide and staring9 eyebrows pulled down especially in middle!9 wrinkled forehead9 flared nostrils9 mouth flattened or clenched teeth bared9 jutting chin, red face. :outh smiling open or closed!9 possible laughter9 crows. feet wrinkles at sides of sparkling eyes9 slightly raised eyebrows9 head level.

(ear

Anger

Happiness

%adness 8nvy

8yes cast down and possibly damp or tearful9 head down9 lips pinched9 head down or to the side. 8yes staring9 mouth corners turned down9 nose turned in sneer9 chin jutting. 8yes wide open with dilated pupils9 slightly raised eyebrows9 lips slightly parted or puckered or smiling9 head tilted forward. %teady ga&e of eyes at item of interest may be s)uinting!9 slightly raised eyebrows9 lips slightly pressed together9 head erect or pushed forward. 8yes looking away9 face generally immobile9 corners of mouth turned down or lips pulled to the side9 head propped up with hand. 8yes wide open9 eyebrows raised high9 mouth dropped wide open with conse)uent lowered chin9 head held back or tilted to side. 8yebrows tilted outwards lowered outer edges!9 mouth either tilted down or smiling9 head tilted. 8yes and head turned away9 nostrils flared9 nose twisted in sneer9 mouth closed, possibly with tongue protruding9 chin jutting. 8yes and head turned down9 eyebrows held low9 skin blushing red. 8yes in e$tended ga&e and possibly damp9 eyebrows slightly pulled together in middle or downwards at edges9 mouth turned down at corners9 head tilted to side. +ela$ed facial muscles and steady ga&e with eyes. /erhaps mouth turned up slightly at sides in gentle smile.

6esire

#nterest

1oredom

%urprise

+elief

6isgust

%hame

/ity

0alm

Cheek body language

0heeks can speak body language, although admittedly not very much.

$n-out
0heeks can be drawn in or blown out. 'hen pulled in and particularly when linked with pursed lips, it indicates disapproval. 0heeks sucked in to the e$tent that the lower lips curl can indicate pensiveness which may be uncomfortable look also for a furrowed brow!.

'hen cheeks are blown out, this can signify uncertainty as to what to do ne$t watch also for raised eyebrows and rounded eyes!. This may be e$aggerated by the person actually blowing air from their mouth '/foof . what do # do now**'!. 1lown out cheeks can also be a sign of e$haustion. #f the person has been e$ercising the face may also be red and sweaty.

Redness
+ed cheeks is a classic sign of embarrassment. 'atch for them becoming red some people just have natural red cheeks!. +ed cheeks may also be a sign of anger. 'atch here for other anger signs, such as enlarged and staring eyes. 0heeks pale when blood drains from them. This typically happens when a person is frightened as the blood is moved to the muscles in readiness to flee. /ale cheeks can also be a sign of coldness.

$nternal
0hewing the inside of the cheek or mouth can be a hidden sign of nervousness and may indicate lying. /ushing the tongue into the cheek can show pensiveness as the person thinks about something and tries to come to a decision.

Touching
The cheek is a wide area that can be touched without obscuring any of the functional organs. Touching the cheek is often done in surprise or horror. A light touch, along with an open mouth that says ';ooh' indicate light surprise. Touching both cheeks with the flat of the palm is an e$aggeration of this and may indicate horror.

Chin body language

The chin, as with other corners of the face, has its own body language.

Protecting
The chin is vulnerable when fists are flying as a good upper.cut punch can knock you out. 8ven more vulnerable than the chin is the throat, where a predator might try to asphy$iate you or worse. Holding in the chin protects both it and the throat, and hence is a naturally defensive move that people use when they feel threatened. Holding the chin in also lowers the head, which is a submissive gesture. This is distinct from the defensive move as the head tilts down more and the eyes are often largely downcast. This can similarly be a shy or flirting gesture.

%utting
The chin can be used as a subtle pointing device and a small flick of the head may give a small signal that only people in the know are likely to notice. 2utting out the chin towards a person e$poses it and says '<o on, # dare you, try to hit me and see what happens,' This can thus be a signal of defiance, if not towards the other person then instead towards some situation or person in the conversation.

2utting may also e$poses the teeth and is a thus a threat to bite which may be added to an aggressive display. /ointing at a person with the finger is a threatening act. 6oing it briefly with the chin is more covert and can thus be an insult.

Touching
%troking the chin is often a signal that the person is thinking hard. They may well be judging or evaluating something, particularly if the conversation has offered them a choice or decision to make. The head is a heavy object and is often propped up by holding the chin in a cupped hand, particularly when the person is tired and it may drop. 1oredom can make you sleepy and a hand under the chin may be done to stop an embarrassing drop of the head. Holding the chin also prevents the head from moving and can signal that the person wants to send a head signal but simultaneously does not want to send the signal, for e$ample when they emotionally agree and want to nod, but intellectually want more information so they can have good reason before they say yes.

&eard
1eards and moustaches are sometimes controversial items, particularly in cultures where being clean.shaven is the norm. A beard may thus be an indicator of a non. conformist. A full beard is more likely to indicate a person who has no vanity needs and is confident and rela$ed as they are. 'hen the beard is shaped and neatly clipped, it may indicate a more vain and fussy person who is particular about how they appear and what they do. An unkempt beard that is left to grow wild may indicate an untidy mind or simply that the person is la&y. #t may also point to a person for whom e$ternal appearance is unimportant, such as a university intellectual. %troking a beard can be a preening gesture, symbolically making oneself look beautiful and hence sending '#'m gorgeous' signals.

Mouth body language

<enerally speaking body orifices are not terribly desirable as they can cause problems such as being entries for disease or can be snagged on passing bushes. The mouth is perhaps the ultimate multi.function orifice as we use it for communicating, breathing and eating.

"moting
The mouth is involved in the e$pression of many different emotions, from happiness to sadness, from fear to disgust. #n emoting, the lips play a major role in creating visible shapes, with able backup from the teeth and tongue.

&reathing
'e usually breath through the nose, but when we need more o$ygen we use the mouth to gulp in greater amounts of air.

A person who is frightened or angry by the fight.or.flight reaction may well open their mouth to get more o$ygen in preparation for combat or running away. This may also involve breathing faster panting!. A hot person also pants hard. 'ith typical the red face, this can be mistaken for anger or vice versa!. Yawning is a process of taking a deep gulp of air as a )uick 'pick.me.up' and often indicate a person who is tired or bored. A short, deep, e$haling sigh, can indicate sadness, frustration or boredom. %hort inhalation, particularly in a se)uence, can be like silent sobs and hence be an indicator of deep and suppressed sadness. %low, deep breathing, sometimes with slightly parted lips, may indicate someone who is rela$ing or meditating. 'ith closed eyes, they are seldom aware of what is going on around them and this may be done as an escape.

'(eaking
The mouth sends additional signals when it is speaking. #f the mouth moves little, perhaps including incoherent mumbling, this may indicate an unwillingness to speak, for e$ample from shyness or from a fear of betraying themselves. A mouth that moves a lot during speech can indicate e$citement or dominance as it sends clear signals that '# am speaking, do not interrupt,' 0areful shaping of words can also indicate a person with auditory preferences or a concern for precision and neatness. (ast speakers are often visual thinkers who are trying to get out what they are seeing. They may also be looking upwards. %low speakers may be deep thinkers who are being careful about finding the right words. They may also have an auditory preference as they carefully enunciate each word.

"ating
The mouth is also used for eating, and the way people eat can tell things about them. A well.mannered person opens their mouth the minimum to put in a moderate amount of food and keeps it closed whilst carefully chewing each mouthful. They also do not speak when they have food in their mouth. ;n the other hand, an uncouth person gobbles large mouthfuls and opens their mouth as they chew and talk at the same time. #n a curious reversal, snobbish gourmands who take great pleasure in eating may do it noisily as an e$pression of pleasure. This may also be a cultural variable and in some places noisy eating is not only acceptable but also desirable. /eople who chew smaller amounts at the front of their mouth are like children whose molars have not developed and may be timid. /eople who chew for a longer time may be chewing on ideas at the same time. 'hen people slide their jaw sideways when they eat are grinding the food. this may also be pensive.

)rinking
As with eating, drinking may be done in a polite way, sipping smaller amounts and swallowing noiselessly. #t may also be done with loud glugging and followed by

e)ually distasteful burping .. although again, in some cultures this is a desirable e$pression of pleasure. %omeone who is slooshing their drink around their mouth may well be thinking and deciding.

overing
%ometimes the hand is used to cover the mouth. #n polite society, e$posing the inside of your mouth may be considered rude, so the hand is used to politely cover a yawn. The hand is also used to conceal the mouth when it will betray emotions that may be undesirable. Thus we put our hands over impolite giggles and smirks, and we may do this to hold back from telling the truth. 0overing the mouth may also be a reason for hiding a yawn. 'e also cover the open mouth of surprise and the downturned mouth of sadness.

'miling
%miling indicates pleasure, either that you are generally happy and are enjoying the other person's company or that you are amused by something in particular, such as a joke. A full smile engages the whole face, particularly including the eyes, which crease and 'twinkle'. %miling with lips only is often falsehood, where the smiler wants to convey pleasure or approval but is actually feeling something else. This false smile is known as the 6uchenne smile, after the scientists who first described it in =>?@. (alse smiles also tend to last for longer. A genuine smile is often asymmetric and usually larger on the right side of the face. A false smile may be more symmetrical or larger on the left side of the face. "owering the jaw to show a 6.shaped mouth can be a false smile as it is easy to do. #t may also be a deliberate signal of amusement and and an invitation to laugh. %miling without opening the mouth, and particularly with lips firmly pressed together, may indicate embarrassment about unsightly teeth. #t may also be a suppression of words '# can see the funny side, but #'m not going to comment.'!. A half.smile, on one side of the face, may indicate cynicism, sarcasm or uncertainty '%orry, # don't buy that idea.'!. %miling is also a sign of submission as the person effectively says '# am nice and not a threat'. %miling in some cultures indicates a )uestion or that you want the other person to speak.

Laughing
1eyond smiling, laughter shows greater pleasure and happiness. 'hilst smiling may happen over a longer period, laughter is a relatively brief affair, happening for a few seconds. There are many variants on laughter and we all laugh differently, from the suppressed titter to the loud and uproarious belly.laugh. "ouder and less suppressed laughter may indicate someone who is less self.conscious. #t may also be used by a person who is trying to gain attention.

#n general, women laugh at men they like whilst men like women who laugh at them '#t's working, %he likes me.'!. This can lead to a satisfying bonding mechanism. '(unny' often gets e)uated to 'nice' and 'harmless' and the use of humor thus can a way of sending friendship signals. "aughing at ris)uA jokes is a sign of acceptance of the other person the alternative is to critici&e or otherwise censure them!. "aughing and smiling at the misfortune of others is often socially unacceptable although we often find this funny <ermans call this 'schadenfreude'!. #n such cases you may see suppressed grins and giggles as the person tries desperately to hide their feeling of amusement. "aughs, for e$ample may get disguised as coughs and the person may turn away to hide their e$pression.

*awning
Yawning is opening the mouth wide and gulping in a large )uantity of air. 'e do it when we are tired and blood o$ygen is low. 1oredom can indicated by yawning, signalling that the other person is so uninteresting they are sending us to sleep, which makes it often impolite also because it shows the inside of the body!. This results often in the yawn being covered with the hand or concealed such as by turning the head or holding the mouth more closed than it actually want to be. The gulping of air in yawning can also be in preparation for action and a stressed person may yawn more, or at least take some bigger breaths.

'ucking or biting
%ucking a finger is often an echo of doing this in childhood. Young children suck fingers or thumb as a breast substitute. This action is hence a comforter, done when the person is uncomfortable or stressed in some way. This can happen in general an$iety or specific situations such as when lying. Bariants on this include sucking or biting knuckles, the side of a hand or other parts of the body such as the lips or inner cheek. %ometimes a physical item is used as a substitute, such as a pen or pencil. 1iting generally indicates greater stress than sucking.

Lips body language

"ips can say a lot of things without words. ;ur muscles around them mean we can shape them with incredibly fine control. "ipstick is used to draw attention to the lips, thus e$aggerating further the signals sent by them.

Parted
"ips which are slightly parted can be a strong flirting signal, particularly if the lips are then licked and even more so if done whilst holding the ga&e of another person. /arting lips is the first stage in speaking and may thus be a signal that the person wants to talk.

Pursed
"ips which are pulled inwards from all directions are an indication of tension and may indicate frustration or disapproval.

/ursed lips are a classic sign of anger, including when it is suppressed. #t is effectively holding the mouth shut to prevent the person saying what they feel like saying. This may also be an indication of lying or withholding the truth as the person stops themselves from telling the truth.

Puckered
A light puckering of the lips into a kiss shape typically indicates desire. #t can also indicate uncertainty, particularly if the lips are touched with the fingers. 'hen you say 'oo', the lips form the kiss shape. This is one reason that romantic songs often linger on words like 'you' and 'too'.

#lattened
"ips which are kept hori&ontal but s)uee&ed flat are an e$aggerated closing of the mouth and hence indicate a repressed desire to speak. This indicate disapproval '#f # spoke # would be very critical, which # do not want to be'!. #t can also indicate frustration '# want to speak, but others are speaking and # feel # should wait'!. (lattened lips can also indicate a refusal to eat, either because of dislike of offered food or some other motivation.

Turned u(
'hen the corners of the mouth are turned upwards, this can be a grimace of disgust or a smile of pleasure. #n a grimace, the teeth are unlikely to be shown although toothless smiles are also common!. <rimaces are often flatter and tenser. A full smile engages the whole face, particularly including the eyes. %miling with lips only is often falsehood, where the smiler wants to convey pleasure or approval but is actually feeling something else.

Turned down
0orners of the mouth turned down indicates sadness or displeasure. %ome people are so miserable so often, this is the natural state of rest of their mouths which is perhaps rather sad!.

Retracted
'hen the lips are pulled back, they e$pose the teeth. This may be in a broad smile or it may be a snarl of aggression. The eyes should tell you which is which. #n a snarl, the eyes are either narrowed or staring. #n a full smile, the corners of the eyes are creased.

!oving
"ips which are moving in the shape of words but without making sounds means that the person is thinking of saying the words. This subvocali&ation often happens with very small movement and is often completely subconscious. %tage mentalists use this when they ask their 'victims' to think hard of a word and then lip.read as they silently sound the word. Cp and down movement may indicate chewing. %ome people chew the insides of their mouths when they are nervous. +olling in the lips so they roll across one another can be a preening gesture for women, evening out lipstick. #t can also be a sign of uncertainty or disapproval look for accompanying lowered eyebrows!.

Twitching

%mall, lightning.fast movements of the mouth betray inner thoughts, for e$ample a single twitch of the corner of the mouth that indicates cynicism or disbelief. "iars in particular will often give themselves away with very brief grimaces as their conscience e$presses disapproval of the conscious lies.

Protruding
'hen the top lip is over the bottom lip, this may be linked with biting of the bottom lip, a common indicator that the person is feeling guilty about something. The bottom lip e$tended over the top lip can indicate uncertainty, as if the person is saying 'umm'. The bottom lip jutting out is often a part of a sulky pout, where the person e$presses child.like petulance at not getting their own way. 1oth lips pressed together and pushed out generally indicates doubt. #f the finger touches them, it may indicate internal thinking or may say '# am considering speaking but am not )uite ready to talk yet'.

&iting
1iting the lip, centrally or at the side, is often a sign of an$iety. Csually, this is the bottom lip especially if the person has overhanging top teeth!. This may be a habitual action and people who do this, will often repeat the move in predictable situations. #t can also be an indicator for stress during lying. This is a fairly child.like action, especially if accompanied by wide eyes and eyebrows raised in the middle and lowered at the sides, and thus may betray concern about being told off or otherwise being censured in the manner of a child.

Rela+ed
(inally, the lips will have a position of rest when they are not pulled in any direction. This usually indicates that the person is also feeling rela$ed.

Teeth body language

There's not a lot of body language with teeth, but this is a complete section, so here's details.

&iting
Teeth are made to bite, tear and grind. 8$posing the teeth in a snarl is saying '# am thinking of biting you' and is hence a primitive and potentially scary threat. Actual biting is rare, but indicates the person has been reduced to a base position and is probably not thinking rationally. 1iting can also be affectionate, for e$ample where lovers chew the other person's lip or ear. This can create arousal from the basic fear instinct but the person knows from the conte$t that they are not in danger and hence reframes the arousal as pleasure. <entle biting also stimulates nerve receptors and is thus similar to touch. Young animals at play pretend to bite one another as they prepare for adulthood. 'hen people play with friends they may also e$pose their teeth.

'miling

8$posing the teeth in smiling tends to indicate e$treme pleasure. /eople who are self.conscious and particularly if their teeth are not that attractive may try not to show their teeth when smiling.

,oise
Teeth can make a noise when banged or slid together. 0hattering teeth may indicate e$treme fear and is usually accompanied by shaking of the body. This may also indicate e$treme coldness. <rinding teeth can indicate suppressed anger or frustration as the person tensely tries not to speak. "ight tapping of the teeth can be mild frustration or thinking it is similar in effect to tapping of a finger!. As with other repetitive action, teeth noise can also just be habit.

Ta((ing
%ometimes people tap their teeth with their nails, making a noise that echoes in the mouth. This can signal thinking or boredom. #t may also be a deliberate interruption or irritant, although this is less likely.

Tongue body language

The tongue is normally important in spoken body language. #n practice it can also send some body language non.verbal signals.

'ticking out
A deliberate gesture of sticking out the tongue at a person is impolite, although considered rather childish and thus reflects as much on the person doing it. The gesture thus appears petulant unless it is done in an amusingly cheeky way. The rest of the face should indicate more of the intent. 0heeky tongue.poking is often followed by a smile or laughter. %ticking out the tongue also can happen when the person is trying hard to do something. 'hen this happens it traditionally appears at the side of the mouth. 'hen people are talking in romantic setting, sticking out the tongue can be a sign of lust.

Licking
The tongue can be used to lick. 1y oneself, pretty much the only thing the tongue can lick is the lips although a more hidden way of this is licking the teeth!. "ip.licking may indicate desire, perhaps for another person and perhaps for food. Csually it is for what is in front of the licker. As a deliberate signal to others it can be se$ually enticing, saying '# would like to like you'. As such, it can be very arousing, particularly when done slowly and with other flirting signals such as a slightly lowered head and steady ga&e. "icking another person can be e$tremely arousing and is typically done either as a part of foreplay or as a )uick tease.

&iting it

1iting the tongue typically indicates that the biter wants to say something but somehow feels unable or unwilling to say what they want, perhaps for fear of offending or breaking social rules.

$nside the mouth

'ith mouth closed and tongue inside the mouth, you can still sometimes see what it is doing. /ressed against the cheek it can indicate thinking and uncertainty. /ushed in front of the teeth, pushing out the lips, can also indicate uncertainty.

Nose body language

The nose, which is right in the middle of the face, can send a certain amount of body language.

#lared
'hen the nostrils are widened it allows more air to be breathed in and out and readies the person for combat. #n a related sense, this can indicate the person is e$periencing e$treme displeasure. (lared nostrils may also indicate that the person is making an internal judgment about something.

-rinkled
The nose can be wrinkled by pushing up from the mouth. This happens when a bad smell is detected. #t can also appear with a metaphoric bad smell is thought about, for e$ample when somebody else suggests a distasteful idea see7 even language uses bad.taste metaphor,!. Another variation is when the person is thinking about something but is not satisfied with their own ideas.

'niffing
Aside from when a person has a cold, sniffing can indicate displeasure or disgust. This may also happen on one side, with the mouth twitching up as well.

Touching it
Touching the nose can indicate that the person has detected a bad smell. #t is also common signal from a person who is not telling the truth. 'hen a person lies, blood vessels in their nose may dilate, making the nose swell or appear redder. The nasal engorgement then causes mast cells to release histamine, which makes the nose itch and so may lead to the person touching or scratching it this is probably the basis of the /inocchio story!. +ubbing the finger alongside the nose can indicate disagreement. #t may also be a semi.suppressed nose.scratch related to lying. /inching the bridge of the nose can show the person is evaluating something, usually negatively and with some frustration. (iddling with the nose or pressing it down can just be a habit when the person is thinking.

Eyes body language

The eyes are often called, with some justification, 'the windows of the soul' as they can send many different non.verbal signals. (or reading body language this is )uite useful as looking at people's eyes are a normal part of communication whilst ga&ing at other parts of the body can be seen as rather rude!.

Looking u(
'hen a person looks upwards they are often thinking. #n particular they are probably making pictures in their head and thus may well be an indicator of a visual thinker. 'hen they are delivering a speech or presentation, looking up may be their recalling their prepared words. "ooking upwards and to the left can indicate recalling a memory. "ooking upwards and the right can indicate imaginative construction of a picture which can hence betray a liar!. 1e careful with this7 sometimes the directions are reversed .. if in doubt, test the person by asking them to recall known facts or imagine something. "ooking up may also be a signal of boredom as the person e$amines the surroundings in search of something more interesting. Head lowered and eyes looking back up at the other person is a coy and suggestive action as it combines the head down of submission with eye contact of attraction. #t can also be judgemental, especially when combined with a frown.

Looking down
"ooking at a person can be an act of power and domination. "ooking down involves not looking at the other person, which hence may be a sign of submission '# am not a threat, really9 please do not hurt me. You are so glorious # would be da&&led if # looked at you.'! "ooking down can thus be a signal of submission. #t can also indicate that the person is feeling guilty. A notable way that a lower person looks down at a higher person is by tilting their head back. 8ven taller people may do this. "ooking down and to the left can indicate that they are talking to themselves look for slight movement of the lips!. "ooking down and to the right can indicate that they are attending to internal emotions. #n many cultures where eye contact is a rude or dominant signal, people will look down when talking with others in order to show respect.

Looking sideways
:uch of our field of vision is in the hori&ontal plane, so when a person looks sideways, they are either looking away from what is in front of them or looking towards something that has taken their interest. A )uick glance sideways can just be checking the source of a distraction to assess for threat or interest. #t can also be done to show irritation '# didn't appreciate that comment,'!. "ooking to the left can indicate a person recalling a sound. "ooking to the right can indicate that they are imagining the sound. As with visual and other movements, this can be reversed and may need checking against known truth and fabrication.

Lateral mo ement
8yes moving from side.to.side can indicate shiftiness and lying, as if the person is looking for an escape route in case they are found out. "ateral movement can also happen when the person is being conspiratorial, as if they are checking that nobody else is listening. 8yes may also move back and forth sideways and sometimes up and down! when the person is visuali&ing a big picture and is literally looking it over.

.a/ing
"ooking at something shows an interest in it, whether it is a painting, a table or a person. 'hen looking at a person normally, the ga&e is usually at eye level or above see eye contact, below!. The ga&e can also be a defocused looking at the general person. "ooking at a person's mouth can indicate that you would like to kiss them. "ooking at se$ual regions indicates a desire to have se$ual relations with them. "ooking up and down at a whole person is usually si&ing them up, either as a potential threat or as a se$ual partner notice where the ga&e lingers!. This can be )uite insulting and hence indicate a position of presumed dominance, as the person effectively says '# am more powerful than you, your feelings are unimportant to me and you will submit to my ga&e'. "ooking at their forehead or not at them indicates disinterest. This may also be shown by defocused eyes where the person is 'inside their head' thinking about other things. #t is difficult to conceal a ga&e as we are particularly adept at identifying e$actly where other people are looking. This is one reason why we have larger eye whites than animals, as it aids comple$ communication. 8ye contact in many cultures is considered dominant or rude.

.lancing
<lancing at something can betray a desire for that thing, for e$ample glancing at the door can indicate a desire to leave. <lancing at a person can indicate a desire to talk with them. #t can also indicate a concern for that person's feeling when something is said that might upset them. <lancing may indicate a desire to ga&e at something or someone where it is forbidden to look for a prolonged period.

"ye contact

!oe eyes
A softening of the eyes, with rela$ing of muscles around the eye and a slight defocusing as the person tries to take in the whole person is sometimes called doe eyes, as it often indicates se$ual desire, particularly if the ga&e is prolonged and the pupils are dilated see below!. The eyes may also appear shiny.

Making eye contact

"ooking at a person acknowledges them and shows that you are interested in them, particularly if you look in their eyes.

"ooking at a person's eyes also lets you know where they are looking. 'e are ama&ingly good at detecting what they are looking at and can detect even a brief glance at parts of our body, for e$ample. #f a person says something when you are looking away and then you make eye contact, then this indicates they have grabbed your attention.

Breaking eye contact

/rolonged eye contact can be threatening, so in conversation we fre)uently look away and back again. 1reaking eye contact can indicate that something that has just been said that makes the person not want to sustain eye contact, for e$ample that they are insulted, they have been found out, they feel threatened, etc. This can also happen when the person thinks something that causes the same internal discomfort. ;f course, a break in eye contact can also be caused by something as simple as dried out contacts or any new stimulus in one's immediate area, so it's important to watch for other signals. "ooking at a person, breaking eye contact and then looking immediately back at them is a classic flirting action, particularly with the head held coyly low in suggested submission.

Long eye contact

8ye contact longer than normal can have several different meanings. 8ye contact often increases significantly when we are listening, and especially when we are paying close attention to what the other person is saying. "ess eye contact is used when talking, particularly by people who are visual thinkers as they stare into the distance or upwards as they 'see' what they are talking about. 'e also look more at people we like and like people who look at us more. 'hen done with doe eyes and smiles, it is a sign of attraction. "overs will stare into each others eyes for a long period. Attraction is also indicated by looking back and forth between the two eyes, as if we are desperately trying to determine if they are interested in us too. An attraction signal that is more commonly used by women is to hold the other person's ga&e for about three seconds, Then look down for a second or two and then look back up again to see if they have taken the bait!. #f the other person is still looking at them, they are rewarded with a coy smile or a slight widening of the eyes 'Yes, this message is for you,'!. 'hen done without blinking, contracted pupils and an immobile face, this can indicate domination, aggression and use of power. #n such circumstances a staring competition can ensue, with the first person to look away admitting defeat. /rolonged eye contact can be disconcerting. A trick to reduce stress from this is to look at the bridge of their nose. They will think you are still looking in their eyes. %ometimes liars, knowing that low eye contact is a sign of lying, will over. compensate and look at you for a longer than usual period. ;ften this is done without blinking as they force themselves into this act. They may smile with the mouth, but not with the eyes as this is more difficult.

Limited eye contact

'hen a person makes very little eye contact, they may be feeling insecure. They may also be lying and not want to be detected.

'taring
%taring is generally done with eyes wider than usual, prolonged attention to something and with reduced blinking. #t generally indicates particular interest in something or someone. %taring at a person can indicate shock and disbelief, particularly after hearing une$pected news. 'hen the eyes are defocused, the person's attention may be inside their head and what they are staring at may be of no significance. 'ithout care, this can become )uite embarrassing for them!. /rolonged eye contact can be aggressive, affectionate or deceptive and is discussed further above. %taring at another's eyes is usually more associated with aggressive action. A short stare, with eyes wide open and then back to normal indicates surprise. The correction back to normal implies that the person would like to stare more, but knows it is impolite this may be accompanied with some apologetic te$t!.

#ollowing
The eyes will naturally follow movement of any kind. #f the person is looking at something of interest then they will naturally keep looking at this. They also follow neutral or feared things in case the movement turns into a threat. This is used when sales people move something like a pen or finger up and down, guiding where the customer looks, including to eye contact and to parts of the product being sold.

'0uinting
-arrowing of a person's eyes can indicate evaluation, perhaps considering that something told to them is not true or at least not fully so!. #t can similarly indicate uncertainty '# cannot )uite see what is meant here.'! %)uinting can also be used by liars who do not want the other person to detect their deception. 'hen a person thinks about something and does not want to look at the internal image, they may involuntarily s)uint. %)uinting can also happen when lights or the sun are bright. "owering of eyelids is not really a s)uint but can have a similar meaning. #t can also indicate tiredness. "owering eyelids whilst still looking at the other person can be a part of a romantic and suggestive cluster, and may be accompanied with tossing back the head and slightly puckering the lips in a kiss.

&linking
1linking is a neat natural process whereby the eyelids wipe the eyes clean, much as a windscreen wiper on a car. 1link rate tends to increase when people are thinking more or are feeling stressed. This can be an indication of lying as the liar has to keep thinking about what they are saying. +eali&ing this, they may also force their eyes open and appear to stare. 1linking can also indicate rapport, and people who are connected may blink at the same rate. %omeone who is listening carefully to you is more likely to blink when you pause keeping eyes open to watch everything you say!.

1eyond natural random blinking, a single blink can signal surprise that the person does not )uite believe what they see '#'ll wipe my eyes clean to better see'!. +apid blinking blocks vision and can be an arrogant signal, saying '# am so important, # do not need to see you'. +apid blinking also flutters the eyelashes and can be a coy romantic invitation.

-inking
0losing one eye in a wink is a deliberate gesture that often suggests conspiratorial 'You and # both understand, though others do not'!. 'inking can also be a slightly suggestive greeting and is reminiscent of a small wave of the hand 'Hello there, gorgeous,'!.

losing
0losing the eyes shuts out the world. This can mean '# do not want to see what is in front of me, it is so terrible'. %ometimes when people are talking they close their eyes. This is an e)uivalent to turning away so eye contact can be avoided and any implied re)uest for the other person to speak is effectively ignored. Bisual thinkers may also close their eyes, sometimes when talking, so they can better see the internal images without e$ternal distraction.

)am(
The tear ducts provide moisture to the eyes, both for washing them and for tears. 6amp eyes can be suppressed weeping, indicating an$iety, fear or sadness. #t can also indicate that the person has been crying recently. 6ampness can also occur when the person is tired this may be accompanied by redness of the eyes.

Tears
Actual tears that roll down the cheeks are often a symptom of e$treme fear or sadness, although parado$ically you can also weep tears of joy. 'eeping can be silent, with little e$pression other than the tears indicating a certain amount of control!. #t also typically involves screwing up of the face and, when emotions are e$treme, can be accompanied by uncontrollable, convulsive sobs. :en in many culture are not e$pected to cry and learn to suppress this response, not even being able to cry when alone. 8ven if their eyes feel damp they may turn away. Tears and sadness may be transformed into anger, which may be direct at whoever is available.

Pu(il si/e
A subtle signal that is sometimes detected only subconsciously and is seldom reali&ed by the sender is where the pupil gets larger dilates! or contracts. %e$ual desire is a common cause of pupil dilation, and is sometimes called 'bedroom eyes' maga&ine pictures sometimes have deliberately doctored eyes to make a model look more attractive!. 'hen another person's eyes dilate we may be attracted further to them and our eyes dilate in return. "ikewise, when their pupils are small, ours may well contract also.

/upils dilate also when it is darker to let in more light perhaps this is why clubs and bars are so dingy,!. /eople with dark irises the colored circle around the pupil! can look attractive because it is difficult to distinguish the iris from the pupil, with the effect is that their dark pupils look larger than they are. /eople with light irises make the pupils easier to see, so when their pupils actually do dilate then the signal is clearer to detect, making them more attractive 'at the right time'. The reverse of this is that pupils contract when we do not like the other person, perhaps in an echo of s)uint.like narrowing of the eyes.

Rubbing
'hen a person is feeling uncomfortable, the eyes may water a little. To cover this and try to restore an appropriate dryness, they person may rub their eye and maybe even feign tiredness or having something in the eye. This also gives the opportunity to turn the head away. The rubbing may be with one finger, with a finger and thumb for two eyes! or with both hands. The more the coverage, the more the person is trying to hide behind the hands.

Eyebro" body language

8yebrows can send body language. 1eing near the eyes, which are the major senders of signals, they are highly visible communicators, although the limited control of muscles around them can limit what they say.

Lowered
"owering the eyebrows conceals the eyes to a certain degree. /articularly with a lowered head, this can thus indicate deception or a desire that eye signals are harder to see. "owered eyebrows may also indicate annoyance, perhaps effectively saying '# am so displeased, # do not want to look at you.' +elated to this, lowered eyebrows are a sign of a dominant person.

Raised
'hen a person is surprised, their eyebrows are often raised. This typically happens as a part of opening the eyes wider, perhaps to see more clearly what is going on. The more the surprise. the higher the eyebrows are raised. +aising the eyebrows asks for attention from others and can signal general emphasis. 'hen as )uestion is asked and the eyebrows are raised afterwards, this is a clear invitation to answer the )uestion. ;pposite to the dominant lowering of eyebrows, raising eyebrows is may be a submissive move or indicate openness, as it lets the other person see your eyes '# am not looking where # should not,'!. +aising a single eyebrow is something that only some people can do and can be a bit more wry in its meaning, for e$ample asking 'Are you sure*' when the other person appears to be talking with limited accuracy.

!iddle-raised

1y pushing together the eyebrows and pulling up the forehead, the eyebrows can be made to slope outwards. This can indicate relief ''hew,'!. #t can also indicate an$iety ';h no,'!.

!iddle-lowered
'hen the middle of the eyebrows are pulled down so they slope inwards, this often shows that the person is angry or frustrated. #t can also indicate intense concentration.

Oscillating
'hen we see people we know, we often give a )uick up.down flash of the eyebrows in recognition and greeting. This is a common signal across all primates, including monkeys and gorillas. +apid and repeated up and down movement may be an e$aggerated signal, meaning ''ell how about that then,', in the way that <roucho :ar$ used it.

Forehead body language

The forehead has its place in body language communications, often as a part of a wider set of signals. #t is near the eyes and can be looked at without sending other signals for e$ample looking the mouth can say '# want to kiss you'!, which can make even small movements with it reliably observed and hence significant. #ts main limitation is that it can only make a few movements.

-rinkling
'rinkling the forehead is often connected with movement of the eyebrows, particularly upwards, and hence acts as an amplifier of these signals. +aised eyebrows and wrinkled forehead! indicates surprise or )uestioning.

'weating
'e often sweat more from the forehead than other parts of the body, making it significant in sending moisture.related signals. %weating can occur when we are hot, which can come from e$ternal temperature, e$ercise and also inner energy and arousal. A cold sweat can indicate e$treme fear and may be accompanied by damp eyes.

Touching
'iping the forehead can be to remove sweat. #t typically indicates relief and can be a deliberate e$aggeration. #t can also indicate fear, even when the person is not sweating. Touching the forehead happens in the greeting of a salute. This is effectively shading the eyes and says 'You are so wonderful # am da&&led by your brilliance.' %lowly rubbing the forehead can indicate deep thinking, as if the person was massaging their brain to get it going. +ubbing the temples either side can indicate stress as the person tries to massage away the actual or implicit headache. The forehead may also be touched as a part of a propping up the head, typically with the thumb touching the side of the face. Tapping the forehead with an open palm or light fist says '<osh, how stupid # am,'

Hair body language

The hair is a part of the body and hence is used in various ways for communication.

1((earance
Hair can be cut and shaped into a wide range of styles which contributes to the overall image and hence sends non.verbal signals. A conventional and tidy cut indicates a conventional person who follows basic social rules. 'ell.styled hair can indicate a desire to be attractive and so get the approval and admiration of others.

Men
0onventionally, men usually have a very limited social style, with hair cut reasonably short. Bery short hair may signal aggression, perhaps echoing army crew cuts. #t has also been used by 'skinheads' and is popular with club bouncers and other 'heavies'. "ong male hair is typical of young 'drop.outs' or those who would like to, but cannot afford it 7!. 'hen unkempt it can show a lack of care and perhaps lower self.esteem. "onger hair can also be a sign of rebellion and assertion of identity.

Women
'omen are socially permitted to wear a much wider range of styles, probably to attract men and compete with other women in this!. "ong hair frames the face and may partially cover it, teasing about the beauty behind this curtain. /articularly when covering the eyes, long hair over the face provides a barrier behind which the woman can hide, perhaps when she has lower confidence or self.esteem. 'hen women cut their hair short, it can indicate a desire to be male, like a man or perhaps to be unattractive to men. #t may also be a rebellion against womanhood, for e$ample when they have been mistreated by other women when they were young.

Tossing
Tossing the head throws the hair backwards actually or virtually!, drawing attention to it. #t can thus be a romantic gesture 'Hey, guys, wouldn't you like to stroke my gorgeous long, blonde hair,'!. Throwing long hair back also e$poses the face, which may be an invitation, opening the doors to communication. #t can also be an aggressive act as the person now gives you more unwanted attention.

Touching
%troking the hair is a preening gesture, which can be deliberate checking that it is perfectly coiffed or an invitation to stroke also. /laying with the hair is particularly flirtatious and invites the other person to do this for you.

#rm body language

The arm is an interesting appendages with a ball at the top, a hinge in the middle, and with a rather comple$ toolset at the end. 'atch also for arms held still .. this is often the first place the deceiver starts when trying to control body language they may even hold one arm with the other to keep them both still!.

"+(anding
Arms are clever e$panding devices that can make us bigger or smaller, reaching out without having to move the rest of our body. They can e$tend towards the other person, either in threat or a more friendly way. :oved directly and )uickly they threaten. 0urved and moving more slowly they may offer comfort. The can also e$tend laterally, sometimes as a part of a body.e$panding '# am big' display that can signify confidence or perhaps aggression.

'ha(ing
Arms are used as a part of shaping as we wave them around and carve out the world. They are an adjunct to our words as we literally show other people how big the fish was or how small the child is. 'hen we are e$cited or confident, we may wave our arms about like windmills. 'hen we are less confident, our shaping is smaller and closer to the body. This waving of arms needs control and a person who bangs their hand on something may indicate clumsiness.

Raising
+aising the arms lifts something up. 6one rapidly, it throws things into the air. 'ith both arms, it e$aggerates it further. A typical two.arm.raising gesture is frustration, as everything that is weighing the person down with confusion is thrown up into the air. 0oupled with a shrug it indicates confusion '# don't know,,'!.

-ea(on
Arms can be like weapons. They can symboli&e clubs and spears as they strike out at imaginary foes. They can also be defensive, blocking and sweeping away attacks. #n martial arts arms can be used to block and strike and this is reflected in how they may be used in communication.

rossing
Arms can act as the doorway to the body and the self. 'hen they are crossed, they form a closed defensive shield, blocking out the outside world. %hields act in two ways7 one is to block incoming attacks and the other is a place behind which the person can hide and perhaps not be noticed. 0rossed arms may thus indicate an$iety which is either driven by a lack of trust in the other person or an internal discomfort and sense of vulnerability that may, for e$ample, be rooted in childhood trauma!.

The e$tent of crossing indicates how firmly closed the person is. This may range from a light cross to arms folded to arms wrapped around the person. An e$treme version which may indicate additional hostility is a tight close with hands formed as fists. #f legs are crossed also then this adds to the signal. The hands in an arm.cross may also be used to hold the person in a reassuring self.hug, for e$ample holding upper arms in a folded.arms position or wrapped around the torso, holding the sides. #f the thumbs are up, this may indicate some approval or agreement with what is being said. 0rossed arms, especially when holding one another can show the person to be trying to keep themselves still. This can be to suppress any signals. #t may also indicate repressed anger # have to hold myself to prevent myself hitting you!. #n some cultures it also signals that the person is holding themself still so they can pay greater attention to you and is hence a compliment!. 'hen arms are not crossed, they e$pose the torso and the person, making them more vulnerable. This signifies comfort that often indicates trust. #t can also be power position that dares the other person to attack whilst knowing that the other person dare not. 0rossed arms is a very obvious signal and if you do it in front of other people they will likely feel rejected and respond accordingly including not agreeing with you!. -ote that not all crossed arms are defensive. %ometimes folded arms, for e$ample, are just a rela$ed position. 0rossed arms are also used when the person is cold this is typically done with hands tucked under armpits to keep them warm!. A common method sales people use to break a crossed.arms closed position is to give the person something to hold or otherwise ask them to use their hands.

Reaching forward
+eaching forward to the other person can be )uite scary for them as you could attack them, and a sudden thrust forward can indeed be an aggressive signal, especially if the hand is pointing or shaped as a fist. +eaching forward can also be an offer of support or affection, seeking to touch and join with the other person.

Pulling back
'hen arms are thrust forward, they are the first thing that may be grabbed or attacked. 'hen a person feels defensive they may pull back their arms out of harm's way.

Elbo" body language

'hen you think 'body language', the elbow is not usually the first thing you think of, and indeed there are less things they can say. The lesser.noticed parts, however, should always be watched, both individually and as a part of a wider cluster.

'i/e
8lbows are often used as a central part of a si&e display as we push them outwards as we puff ourselves up to appear bigger larger than we are much as birds stand their feathers on end!.

/utting hands on the waist sends a stronger signal. :ore subtle is simply to e$pand the chest and push elbows slightly out. This is usually done whilst standing and with the body stationery it is difficult to run with elbows sticking out!. This can signify aggression, but may also be a more rela$ed attention.getting pose look at me,!. This often is accompanied by a rela$ed %.shaped body curve, with one foot pointing forward at the target person.

-ea(on
(or those who have struggled in big 2anuary sales know or any hurrying crowd for that matter!, elbows can make e$cellent weapons. They are a pointed tool at the end of the powerful upper arm and a jab in the ribs can wind even a somewhat larger opponent. #n everyday language a symbolic strike towards someone without hitting them! says '# feel like hitting you' or '# could hit you'. #t thus can be a suggestion to desist from some undesirable behavior.

Pro(
'hen seated, putting elbows on the table may indicate a rela$ed state. The head may thus be propped up by cupped hands.

Pointer
'e tend to point at people and things in which we are interested in some way. The most obvious way is with the finger. 'e also do it with other parts of the body. ;ne of the most subtle and subconscious of these is the elbow.

Hand body language

Hands have @D bones and are a very e$pressive part of our anatomy. The give us enormous capability as an evolved species in how we handle our environment. +eading palms is not just about the lines on your hand. After the face, hands probably the richest source of body language. #t is also worth noting that gestures with the hands vary significantly across cultures and an 'innocent' hand signal can get you arrested in another country. A hand signal may be small, perhaps betraying subconscious thinking. #t may also be e$aggerated or done with both hands to emphasi&e the point.

2olding
0upped hands form a container which can hold gently. <ripping hands can hold tightly. Hands can hold both individually or together giving an e$aggerated effect!. 0upped hands can symboli&e delicacy or hold a fragile idea. They may also be used for giving. <ripping can show possessiveness, ownership and desire the tighter the fist, the stronger the feeling!. Hands may also hold the self, such as when people hold their own hands, typically for comfort. 'ringing the hands indicates more e$treme nervousness. Holding the self can also be an act of restraint. This can be to let the other person talk. #t can also be used when the person is angry, effectively stopping them from attacking.

The two hands can show different desires, for e$ample with one forming a fist and the other holding it back, restraining the desire to punch the other person. -ote also that people who are lying often try to control their hands, and when they are kept still often holding one another!, you might get suspicious. Another sign can be holding them behind the back. As ever, these are only possible indicators and you should also look for similar signs. Hands may also be used to hold items such as pens or cups, which may be used as comfort objects, for e$ample where a person hugs a cup the cup represents the person, so they are effectively hugging themself!. Holding an item with two hands effectively creates a closed position. Holding imaginary objects as they are talked about can show importance. Things which are important and perhaps with fear of loss! are held close and tight. Things which are not wanted are held further away or even tossed away!. 8ven ideas may be held. The bigger and more important the idea, the wider the arms are held. A common si&e is as if they are holding a basketball .. this is useful as you can give it to other people. A wide.armed hold may indicate the whole world or something massive. #tems may also be for distracting activity that releases nervous energy, such as fiddling with a pen, clicking it on and off, or doodling with it.

ontrol
A hand with palm down may figuratively hold or restrain the other person. This can be an authoritative action '%top that now'! or may be a re)uest '/lease calm down'!. This also appears in the dominant hand.on.top handshake. A palm facing outward towards others fends them off or pushes them away in a more obvious way than the palms.down signal '%top. 6o not come any closer,'!. A pointing finger or whole hand tells a person where to go '"eave now,'!.

.reeting
Hands are often used in greetings. The most common form of greeting is shaking hands, of which there are many different forms. ;pening the palm shows that there is no concealed weapon. This is significant in greeting, salutes, waves etc. This is one of the few times we are allowed to touch the other person and it may get used to send various signals. 6ominance is shown with hand on top, strength, prolonged holding '# decide when to let go'! and holding the person with the other hand. Affection is shown with speed and duration of shake, touching with the other hand and enthusiastic smiles. The similarity between dominant and affection handshakes leads to tricky situations where a dominant person pretends to be friendly. %ubmission is shown with a floppy hand, palm up and which is sometimes clammy and with a )uick withdrawal. :ost handshakes use vertical palms to show e)uality, are firm without being crushing and for a very e$act period so both know when to let go!. 'aving is also used for a greeting and may be done at a distance. %alutes are sometimes used, but mostly only in the military, where their style is strictly prescribed.

'ha(ing
Hands can carve the air, shaping what the person is talking about or meaning. They can thus create visual metaphors out of literally nothing.

A man talking may shape a fish he caught. He might also carve out the shape of his ideal woman. ;ther gestures can shape more crudely, indicating holding and moving se$ually significant body parts.

utting
The side of a flat hand can appear as a knife, cutting the air like a karate chop. The cutting hand may strike the other palm, creating visual and aural impact. A side.swiped cut with palm down tells others to stop what they are doing, for e$ample when a person on stage asks the audience to stop clapping so they can speak. A short side swipe may also signal 'no' in any conversation. 0uts can signal aggression, particularly when coupled with an aggressive face. They may also indicate decisiveness, chopping with each point. A side.swiped cut can chop away someone else's argument.

'triking
The hand can strike openly, with the palm or closed as a fist. The fist can strike forwards, sideways or downwards. ;ne hand is often used for symbols as two hands as fists can be an invitation to fight two hands held inwards can also indicate e$treme tension!. (ist shapes and movements are often symbols of inner aggression. 'hen moved towards a person, even a small amount, they signal aggression towards that person. A shaking fist signifies a strong desire to strike someone. /unching the air indicates triumphal e$citement.

overing
Hands can hide things. 'hen people do not want to hear something, they put hands to ears. 'hen they do not want to look, they cover their eyes. 'hen they want to say something but feel restrained, they put their hands to their mouth. A hand may also cover a rudely open mouth, which may be opened in such as surprise or a yawn. Hands covering the mouth when speaking may be an indicator of lying, although it may also just indicate uncertainty. Hands can cover other things. A hand to heart may seek to protect it from shocking harm. A hand to the groin may protect from dangerous attack. Hands can also cover one another. %ometimes a tense fist may be covered by the other hand.

.iving
;utstretched palms may offer something to another person. Held with palms faced towards one another they might hold something large. Held upwards they openly proffer an idea. They may also show that nothing is being concealed, giving what # have, which is nothing. A single offered hand is the start of the handshake.

1sking
/alms offered upwards are a common plea gesture, as if asking for alms. /alms downwards may ask a person to calm down. /alms up or at EF degrees and then pulled towards the body seeks to bring others closer to you in an attenuated beckoning gesture. Hands with palms pressed together indicate a more an$ious pleading. This gesture may be done with fingers upwards in a clear prayer position '/lease do not harm

me,'!, and possibly thrust towards the other person. 'ith fingers pointing down, this may be more concealed or a less an$ious desire for agreement. A variant of this is to have fingers interleaved, but otherwise making the same shape and movement.

Rubbing
+ubbing the hands together can mean that the person is cold. #t also means the person is feeling particularly gleeful about something. This can be a shared benefit and be used in a conspiratorial way. 'hen they do this less obviously and more slowly, they might thinking that they are going to benefit at the e$pense of someone else. 'atch also for small smiles and defocused eyes as they imagine a rosy future at least for them!. +ubbing the face and particularly the chin can indicate thinking, evaluating and deciding. 'hen a part of the body is sore, the person may rub it. This also happens when that part of the body is tense, for e$ample the neck or abdomen, and can thus be a signal of an$iety. "ight stroking of the body can be a romantic invitation, particularly if the erogenous areas or nearby! are touched. This says '# would like you to do this' and can be very arousing.

Thinking
'hen the fingers are pressed together forming a steepled shape, pointing upwards, the person may well be thinking, evaluating or deciding. This may also be done with just inde$ fingers pressed together and other fingers interlinked 'the church'!, with all finger.tips touching 'the cage'! or with fingers interlinked. The steepled position forms a barrier against the other person and may be held lower when the person wants to connect more, such as when they are listening. A subtler version of the evaluative position is with the hand supporting the head but with the inde$ finger up the side the of the face. The middle finger may cover the mouth '#'m not ready to talk yet'!. These fingers.up positions may include touching of the mouth or chin with the fingers, which may indicate the person is thinking about saying something but is not yet ready to speak out loud. The fingers may also be all intertwined and typically held under the chin. Again, this is a thinking and evaluating signal. Hands clenched can be a self.restraining act, effectively holding the person back from speaking until they are ready.

'u((orting
Hands may be used to support the head or even the body when leaning. Hands wrapped around the cheeks with elbows on the table indicates a heavy head and the person may be sleepy or bored. This may also be indicated with a single hand propping up the chin or side of the head. The hands may also lightly support the head, either as a single hand gently under the chin or with fingers intertwined with elbows on table and chin touching the fingers. /articularly when looking at the other person, this says 'look at my face, isn't it nice' and may thus be an enticing position. A lightly supported head may also be a position of listening, where the person is holding their head still in order to focus on the other person.

A simple rule is that the more that the head is supported, the more the person is bored. 'hen they are interested in what others are saying, support is light.

2iding
Hands may be hidden by putting them behind the back, in pockets, under the table or sitting on them. They are often used in communication and hiding the hands may indicate a desire not to communicate or not to collaborate, saying '# don't want to talk with you' or '# do not agree with you'. This may be done in a deliberate gesture of defiance, such as stuffing hands in pockets. "iars may hide their hands in fear that they will give themselves away. Hiding hands may also be a position of listening, sending the message '# do not want to talk because # want to listen to you.' /utting hands in pockets or behind the back can also be due to just feeling rela$ed and not needing to talk.

Touching
The hand may touch any part of the body in a whole range of situation. /erhaps the most common reason for touching oneself is self.affirmation '# am here. # am real. # am ok.'! and related an$iety. An$iety can be related to concern for the outer world or the inner world of thoughts and forecasts. Touching is also used in romantic situations, where parts of the body may be lightly touched or stroked in simulation of desired or suggested action by the other person. The more erotic the parts being touched, the stronger the signal is sent. Touching can also be a form of punishment, for e$ample when a person slaps their head '1other . # forgot,'!. Touching the other person can be an act of domination or of friendship, for e$ample a hand on the shoulder whilst telling them off adds authority, whilst a gentle touch on the arm when sympathi&ing demonstrates concern for them.

Preening
/reening is a common action as the person brushes their hair and clothes, figuratively making themselves look more attractive and sending the signal 'Aren't # beautiful,' This is thus says '/lease like me' and may be a romantic invitation, a signal of superiority or indicate feelings of vulnerability. /icking at bits of fluff clothes often shows disapproval as the person figuratively picks apart your argument.

-eighing
0upped hands may be used to indicate weight, which often is used as a metaphor for importance. %ingle.handed weighting bounces the cupped hand up and down, for e$ample when an argument is being proposed. Two hands are used to indicate discussion of A vs. 1. 'atch which hands seems to hold the heavier weight .. this will be the one which the person thinks is most significant.

1nd333
-ot body language as such, but the length of the inde$ finger compared with the length of the ring finger is related to masculinity. High levels of testosterone in the womb lead to a longer ring finger. Testosterone is also related to other masculine characteristics, including strength and aggression, spatial and musical ability.

1y looking for long and short ring fingers as compared with the inde$ fingers!, you might hence find a tendency towards masculine or feminine characteristics.

Finger body language

(ingers are very fle$ible and allow for subtle gestures.

Pointer
A pointing finger indicates direction '#t's over there'!. (or a long distance, the finger may be pointed diagonally upwards, as if firing an arrow. The inde$ finger is usually used, though the middle finger or even all fingers may be used. The thumb may be used to pointer to something being as it is jerked over the shoulder. /ointing at people is like using the prod see below! and is often considered to be rude and threatening. /eople who are angry tend to point more, including at themselves when they feel hurt or insulted! and at those who they feel are to blame. /ointing, especially at other people, can be particularly rude in a number of cultures. #n some cultures the thumb is a phallic symbol and giving a 'thumbs up' signal says '# want to have se$ with you.' or may just be a rude insult. This can cause a lot of confusion between people from the ;rient and the ;ccident.

lub
The wagging finger of admonition beats up and down as if striking the culprit. This can be with a stable hand and just a finger way. #t may also be done with the whole arm, giving an e$aggerated striking movement. A more polite version points downwards as it beats out an important point, perhaps tapping on something like a table. The forefinger held up and stationary means 'wait' perhaps as a threat of being used as a club otherwise!.

Prod
The finger prod can act like a stiletto knife, stabbing forward at the other person. This is usually the inde$ finger, although the middle finger is sometimes used. This is often very threatening and felt as a personal attack. The prod may also be used to prod downwards at an imaginary item in front. This is less threatening than pointing directly at the person. The prod can also be made less threatening by bringing several fingers together and bending the fingers. A disguised form of this is the finger.and.thumb pinch, where an imaginary idea is delicately held and offered forward.

Plate
(ingers e$tended and closed join with the palm to form a plate. The plate holds symbolic things, such as ideas, often gently. The plate may be proffered forwards, offering the held item to others. (or large things both hands may be held together. Held under the chin, it presents the face as an object to be admired and is often used in flirting.

u(
(ingers held together and curled upwards form a cup that can contain things more securely than the plate. +ela$ed fingers form a loose cup, whilst tense fingers form a more closed cup. Two hands together form a big cup to hold bigger things!. 0ups may be used to plead for something to be given or offer something forward to others.

Pinch
(ingers pinched together hold something small and delicate. This may be finger and thumb or may involve more fingers finger and thumb is less fre)uent as this forms an ';' which can have many different meanings!. #t may be used when saying 'you must grasp this idea'. Held out towards others it offers them the idea. /ushed down it holds the idea whilst beating out the key points.

law
0urved and separated fingers form a claw. 'ith palm facing down, the claw may threaten to reach forward and grab, scratch or tear. #f the fingers are held loosely, the shape is more of an open cup and may thus hold something. Held downwards it may gently restrain.

)rumming
6rumming or tapping the fingers can indicate frustration, for e$ample when another person is speaking and the person wants to interrupt. #t may also mean that the person drumming wants to leave. -on.verbal noise sends an audible interrupt signal to the other person. The louder the noise and faster the drumming, the greater the tension the person is feeling. 6rumming with the nails makes an even louder noise and hence sends a more urgent signal. 6rumming can also indicate that the person is thinking, and that the frustration is with internal thoughts and perhaps that an easy solution cannot be found.

'ucking
%ucking a finger is often an echo of doing this in childhood. Young children suck fingers or thumb as a breast substitute. This action is hence a comforter, done when the person is uncomfortable or stressed in some way. Bariants on this include sucking knuckles or sucking a pencil.

Rudeness
The middle finger pointing upwards says 'up yours' and symboli&es a penis. The little finger in this gesture indicates the other person has a small penis this is sometimes used as a rude gesture from a woman to a man!. The first two fingers pointing upwards and with the palm towards the self says 'fGGk off' though curiously, with the palm facing the other person indicates peace!. The finger and thumb together forming a circle may symboli&e the female genitalia perhaps likening the other person to this!. #t can also indicate the anus. :oved up and down it may indicate male masturbation implying the other person, a male, is unable to gain a female partner and thus has to masturbate to get se$ual relief!. Yet with little finger facing outwards it can also mean ';H' or 'wonderful'. The inde$ and little finger pointing upwards as a gesture can say that the other man is a cuckold. #t can also signify the 'evil eye'.

Thumb
Thumbs.up signals approval and agreement. Thumbs.down signals disapproval. Held sideways and perhaps waggled! indicates uncertainty!. +oman amphitheater audiences reputedly used this signal to suggest to the emperor that a defeated gladiator be spared or killed. Thumbs up when arms are crossed or a single hand is held across the chest is a subtle sign of approval. #t can also be an invitation to others to show approval of what you are saying. Thumbs sticking out when hands are in pockets is often a sign of confidence, feeling rela$ed and in control. #t can thus be both a sign of authority and also of friendliness.

1nd333
(ingers crossed indicates hope because they form a rough crucifi$!. #nspecting fingernails indicates boredom and disinterest. (luttering fingers may indicate uncertainty '#'m not sure'! or may be a small wave for e$ample being child.like, indicating '# am not a threat' or 'protect me'!. (idgeting fingers may indicate boredom or tension. %ucking fingers is a regressive return to childhood and breast feeding. This may well indicate timidity and feelings of inferiority.

Neck body language

The is used to support and rotate the head and hence controls some head body language. #t also may send a few signals of its own.

2iding
The neck a classic position where a predator attacks, either going for the jugular artery at the side or crushing or ripping out the windpipe. 'hen people feel threatened they will thus naturally act to protect the neck, pulling the chin down to protect the throat and possibly also raising the shoulders to protect the sides of the neck. 8mbarrassment or fear can lead to increased swallowing. A hand on the throat may cover up the signs of swallowing as the person seeks to hide this signal.

Turning
The neck can be rotated, both hori&ontally and vertically, thus giving our head several degrees of freedom and the ability to look in many directions. The eyes can also look without turning the head. +otating the neck is useful for e$tending the range of vision. #t can also be used deliberately to send a signal that the person is giving or removing attention. The neck can also become stiff from propping up the head and rotation of the neck may be done to e$ercise it. 8$ercising the neck can be a sign of tension. #t may also indicate boredom.

Touching
Touching the front of the neck may indicate concern about what the person is saying via their windpipe!. This may because they are lying or otherwise are

embarrassed or uncomfortable with what they are actually saying or are thinking of saying. 'hen a person is uncomfortable with what they are saying or where they are saying it, then their neck muscles may tense, affecting their voice through constriction of the windpipe or tensing of the vocal chords. This can cause discomfort in the neck and the hand thus acts to sooth this irritation. 'hen a person is uncomfortable they may sweat. #f they are wearing a tight collar this will start to rub and irritate them. As a result they may pull at their collar. The neck also contains the tubes going down to the stomach and touching the neck may show a concern about eating or drinking. Another reason for touching the neck is when the person fears attack, as it reflects the desire to cover their windpipe. There are also major muscles at the side and back of the neck and rubbing or s)uee&ing these indicates tension, which may well be an$iety. %uddenly grabbing the back of the neck can be a displacement activity for anger, as if the person raises their hand to strike then has to do something to restrain it. A neck.grab can also be a sign of shock or surprise as if the person is pulling their head back and grabbing it to suppress the reaction. This may be done as a deliberate e$aggeration.

,o neck
Having 'no neck' is often associated with people who have done so much weight training that their necks are almost as wide as their heads. The appearance, coupled with a muscled body, can be very threatening. #f the person enjoys this effect on others, they may e$aggerate it with arms held wide, fierce glares and other dominant body language.

$houlder body language

The shoulders, although they have limited movement when compared with other parts of the body, can be used to convey various signals.

Raised
Holding the shoulders in a raised position re)uires that the whole weight of the arms are lifted. This takes continued effort, which is supplied if the person is aroused in some way. %houlders hunched up can be a sign that the person is cold they may be shivering too!. ;ften, this is a sign of tension, often from an$iety or fear. +aising the shoulders and lowering the head protects the neck when the person fears attack actual or virtual!.

urved forward
curving the shoulders forward happens naturally when arms are folded. 'hen curled forward with the hands down this reduces the width of the body and can thus be a defensive posture or a subconscious desire not to be seen, for e$ample when the person is feeling threatened or when they want to stay 'under cover'.

Pushed back

/ushing the shoulders back forces the chest out and e$poses the torso to potential attack. This posture is thus used when the person does not fear attack and may be used as a taunt to demonstrate power. #f the body is pulled back when the shoulders are pulled back, particularly when the person is up against the wall, this can indicate a desire to hide the body and not be seen, or otherwise defensively move it out of harm's way.

ircling
0ircling the shoulders may be done forwards or backwards, with one or both shoulders. This is often done to e$ercise a stiff shoulder, which may have been held tensely and hence may indicate an$iety!. This may also be accompanied by rotating or leaning of the neck and other muscle.e$ercising movements. This e$ercising can signal that the person is readying themselves for action and perhaps combat, and hence may be used as a sign of aggression. 'hen done whilst the other person is talking and it would be polite to listen carefully, this deliberate breaking of protocol can be an insulting signal of power 'You are so unimportant # do not need to bother listening politely'!.

'hrug
The classic shrug, with one.off raising and lowering of shoulders usually means '# don't know,' and may be accompanied with raised eyebrows, down.turned mouth, and hands held to the side, with palms upwards or forwards showing nothing is being concealed!. %houlders may not move much in a small or suppressed shrug. %ometimes all you may see is a slight raising of the arms. A small and )uick shrug may send the same signal but be performed subconsciously and thus can indicate uncertainty or lack of understanding. %hrugging may be associated with lying where a person shrugs rather than speaks, in fear that their words may give themselves away. A more prolonged and animated shrug can be similar to the circling shoulders that indicate readying for aggression and can thus signal a threat. #n a smaller form it may indicate irritation or frustration.

Rela+ed
'e often carry tension in the shoulders and a person who is truly rela$ed will have their shoulders held low, with arms that can move naturally, without jerkiness and swinging free.

Leaning
'hen the person leans against a wall, they often contact the wall with their shoulder. This is usually a rela$ed pose as galvani&ing into physical movement would take more than a little effort, which puts the person in a position vulnerable to attack.

Turning
Turning shoulders is a key part of turning away. #f a person turns their shoulders whilst still looking at you, it probably means they want to leave maybe because what you are saying is uncomfortable for them!.

Chest body language

The chest can send a few non.verbal body language signals.

Thrust out
/ushing the chest forward draws attention to it, and can be a part of a provocative romantic display. 'omen, especially, know that men are programmed to be aroused by the sight of breasts. 'hen women push forward their chests they may thus be inviting intimate relations or just teasing!. This is a function of high heels, which curves the spine to push out the chest and buttocks. :en also thrust their chest out to display their strong pectorals and perhaps hide their bulging gut!. 8nlarged pectorals are, along with biceps, the most common muscles that are used to assess overall strength. A difference with men is that they do this both to women '"ook at me . #'m strong and will protect you and our babies'! and also other men '# am strong, so you'd better not get in my way'!.

Profiled
'hen the person stands sideways or at EF degrees, the effect of a thrust.out chest is e$aggerated as the person is seen in profile. 'omen may use this to display the curve of their breasts. "ikewise, men may show their strong profiles.

-ithdrawn
The chest cavity, although protected to some e$tent by the ribs, contains vital organs and thus is vulnerable in attack. 'hen the chest is pulled back, this may well indicate that the person is trying to hide or appear inoffensive '# am weak . please don't hurt me,'!. 0urling forward the shoulders may offer further protection.

&reathing
The chest e$pands and contracts with breath. 'hen the person is breathing deeply, then the chest moves more. 6eep breath may be used to help thrust out the chest, as above. #t also increases the o$ygen intake and readies the person for action, thus indicating such as fear or anger. 'e also breath deeply when we are e$periencing intense emotions such as love. A person who is particularly an$ious may breathe too fast and deep and so hyperventilate, taking in so much o$ygen they get giddy and can even faint!. 'hen the body is held rigid, then breathing is more difficult and short breaths are more likely and may indicate tension. 'hen a person in a state of hopeful suspense they may hold their breath, as if breathing would either cause what is feared or destroy what is being enjoyed.

Touching
Touching the chest draws further attention to it. 'hen a woman does this in front of a man it makes the man think of doing this and is thus a highly suggestive and flirtatious act. +ubbing the chest can also be a sign of pain of discomfort, perhaps from tension and stress.

Back body language

The back, which includes the spine and the rear of the torso, does not send much non.verbal body language and is probably the 'least communicative' part of the body.

Re4ection
The face is on the front of the body and so we present the front when talking to other people. #f we do not want to talk to them, we can indicate our desire not to talk with them in several stages7 Avert the ga&e, not making eye contact. Turn the head. Twist the torso feet not moving!. Twist further one foot rotates!. Turn at an angle both feet move!. Turn around so they can only see our back!.

8ach of these is an escalating signal, with complete =>4 degree rotation as the ma$imum rejection. 8ven turning at a slight angle sends a clear message giving the 'cold shoulder'!. Turning fully around thus sends the loudest possible non. verbal signal '# do not want to talk with you.'

Power
Turning around means you are potentially vulnerable to attack as you cannot see anyone behind you make a move on you. This can thus be a power move, usually between men, which says '# do not have to look at you to decide if you are going to attack me because # am so powerful you do not dare.'

Protection
'hilst having the back facing someone makes you unable to defend yourself, if you are about to be hit with something the back provides perhaps the least sensitive area on the body. #t is broad and well.muscled, with ribs around the organs. 'hen we face imminent impact we turn around, typically also putting our hands behind our head to protect it and crouching down to make ourselves a smaller target. This is a refle$ive action for e$ample when something is thrown at us or someone tries to his us with a stick.

Belly body language

The belly tummy, abdomen, venter, gut, stomach, paunch! is, for this section, defined as the area between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hips.

Pulling it in
#n romantic and 'body beautiful' situations, a flat tummy is considered desirable in both men and women as it indicates fitness and health. #n men, at least, the ultimate is a 'si$ pack' where individual muscles can be seen.

:ost of us, particularly as we get older, fall victim to e$cessive consumption of food and drink, resulting in a conve$ belly. (ortunately, we do have muscles in our abdomen and we use these to pull in the belly walls so, for at least whilst we are walking past that desirable other person, we look good. (or the determined, corsets may be used to apply constant inwards pressure. 'hilst not as popular as they once were, these may still be found in surreptitious use.

Pushing it out
%ticking out the tum does not indicate a desire to be attractive and can be a counter.reactive move. /articularly in groups of men, 'letting it all hang out' without feeling judged can be )uite relieving and contribute to male bonding along with loud discussions and lewd jokes!. The tummy may stick out more as a counterbalance when we want to pull our vulnerable upper body and head away in a situation where we feel uncomfortably close to another person.

Touching
The tummy area contains the stomach and the intestine, both of which are used to process food and which may be subject to assorted pains as we over.eat or consume substances that disagree with us. +ubbing the stomach can mean the person simply has a digestive problem. The abdomen walls contain significant muscles and we can carry tension here. +ubbing or holding them can thus indicate tension, for e$ample from e$cessive worry. The gut is particularly vulnerable to attack and is a common area for punching and stabbing. #f the gut is pierced, this can cause internal bleeding and a slow death. Holding hands across the tum can thus be a defensive act when we actually or literally fear attack.

Pregnancy
'hen women become pregnant, they have little opportunity but to let their ever. e$panding abdomens push forward. This can be a point of pride, perhaps for feminism, perhaps as a signal of fertility or maybe just delight at impending motherhood.

Bottom body language

The bottom is a large padded area at the base of the back. #t has many alternative names bum, ass, fanny, etc.!, indicating its significance.

Pushing out
The bottom has a strange combination of meaning. #t houses the smelly anus and hence can symboli&e unpleasantness. Yet it also can have a se$ual significance and some people find it particularly attractive in a partner. /ushing the bottom towards someone may thus be an insult or an invitation, depending on the situation. #t can thus say 'kiss my ass' or 'fondle my fanny' and may thus need careful interpretation,

8$posing the bottom can range from a slight push towards the person or significant e$tension, such as from leaning on a table to retain balance! or bending over, such that the upper body is hidden and the bottom is highly visible. ':ooning' is a semi.serious insult and involves e$posing the naked bottom. This is a bit degrading and is often done with a certain amount of humorous intent.

!oving
'aving the bottom draws attention to it even more than pushing it out, although this tends to be more enticing than insulting. 'iggling the hips can cause loose muscle on the buttocks to oscillate even more. This is highly visible and is used by women to attract men. #t is sometimes called 'shaking the booty' and is a common feature in dancing. 'iggling hips may also make the upper body move in compensation, making the move even more attractive.

Touching
'ith hands behind, the person is more vulnerable and cannot cover their front. This may thus either be a rela$ed and comfortable position or else a defiant power display. /utting hands in rear pockets makes them slightly less difficult to retrieve in the event of an attack and hence suggests the person is even more rela$ed. %troking the bottom often suggests that the person would like their bottom stroked and may thus be a suggestive invitation. /lacing the hands on the buttocks also e$poses the chest and hence gives a combined suggestive signal. The thigh may be slapped as a self.punishment or 'gee up' self motivation.

Hips body language

The hips are at the base of the body trunk and are made up of the pelvis and covering tissue.

Thrust out
The hips contain the primary se$ual organs and thrusting them forward is a provocative and suggestive gesture. This may be e$aggerated further if the legs are opened, e$posing the genitals further and inviting intercourse. /ushing the hips forwards is difficult without losing balance, so this is sometimes done by leaning back against something like a wall to support the upper body whilst the hips are clearly foremost. :en may use the hip thrust with other men as a signal of power 'my penis is bigger than yours' or '# am so powerful you dare not attack my e$posed and vulnerable parts'!.

2eld back
Holding the hips back is the opposite of thrusting them out. #t defends and hides the genitals, seeking to protect them or avoid them being noticed. ;ne way of holding them back is to sit down, folding the body over them. This may be compounded by crossing legs and covering the genitals with crossed hands.

Pushed sideways

/ushing the hips sideways makes the spine curve and rearranges the whole body to compensate. This can be a rela$ed position as the person lets the body drop. The sagging can also come from disappointment or tiredness. The hips may be used as a subtle pointer, indicating what the person really wants. /ointing at a person it may indicate they are found to be attractive. /ointing at the door can mean the person wants to leave.

!oving
%waying the hips from side to side is a common dance move and can indicate the person would like to dance. #t also draws attention to that part of the body and hence can be a flirtatious action. :oving the hips back and forth is a simulation of se$ual intercourse and can be highly arousing.

Touching
Hands on hips pushes the elbows sideways, making the body look larger and thus may be a signal of power or aggression. %troking the hips in a romantic setting is suggesting that the other person may want to do this and is thus rather flirtatious, particularly if accompanied by swaying hips and prolonged eye contact. (ingering genitals is e$tremely arousing and is only usually used as a direct invitation to intercourse. Hands held over the genitals, covering them, is a sign of embarrassment or fear. Holding hands with yourself is a comforting move for someone who is an$ious. The natural position of rest for this is at hip level and thus may not be se$ual in nature. The male penis can become uncomfortable in his underpants and he may surreptitiously rearrange it. #f he does this overtly, it may be a signal of power or a se$ual signal.

Leg body language

"egs are interesting in the field of non.verbal body language as the may say a lot without us really reali&ing. #n particular when a person is trying to control their body language, they typically concentrate on the upper body. The legs may thus tell what they are thinking. #f the legs and upper body are in conflict, then there is a possible of deliberate control.

O(en

$tanding
"egs which are held apart when standing provide a stable base for the person. %tanding with feet about the width of the shoulders is a normal, rela$ed pose. %lightly wider indicates that the person feels grounded and confident. A wider stance makes the body wider and hence appear bigger and is a signal of power and dominance. This also takes up more territory and shows domination. Taking a stable position is readying the body in case the other person attacks and can be a cautious position.

;pen legs displays and makes vulnerable the genitals. This can be a se$ual display especially men to women! or a show of power especially between men!. 'hen one foot is forward and the other behind, this can be taking a e$tra stable position in case of frontal attack as with martial artists!. #t can also be a fro&en walk, indicating that the person wants to go somewhere which way are they pointing*!.

$itting
%itting with slightly open legs is a rela$ed position, showing the person is comfortable. ;ne or both legs may be flopped down sideways as far as they can go. %itting allows a wider opening of the legs and can thus be even more of a se$ual 'crotch display'. #f the person is a bit worried about this, then their hands may cover the genitals.

losed

$tanding
'hen the person is standing with feet together or less that a rela$ed shoulder. width! then this may display an$iety as it makes them smaller as a target and gives some protection to the genitals. A fully.closed standing position has knees touching. #ncreased desire for protection may be indicated by the person turning slightly to the side, leaning forwards a little or pulling the hips back. -ote that a closed position also happens when the person is cold.

$itting
'hen sitting, the knees may be held gently or tightly together, depending on the an$iety level.

rossed
As with arms, crossing legs can protective and negative, shielding the person from other people and their ideas. Tension may be seen in crossed legs and greater an$iety leads to legs held more rigidly and which move more jerkily. 0rossed legs can also mean that the person wants to visit the toilet,

$tanding
0rossing legs when standing can be an indication of shyness or being coy and may be accompanied by such as hands held behind the back and a lowered head. This is an unstable position and the person may sway a little. 1eing so easy to be pushed over and slow to unwind and run away, this is seldom a defensive stance, although it can be submissive.

$itting
0rossing legs is much easier when sitting and can take several different forms. 0rossing ankles is a minimal cross and can be fairly rela$ed, especially when the legs are stretched forward and the person is leaning back and more so if the

hands are behind the head!. 'hen more tension is seen, for e$ample in clenched hands, then this may be a signal of self.restraint. An ankle cross with legs tucked under the chair can indicate concealed an$iety. The concern may be more obvious if the person is leaning forward. 0rossing knees may indicate greater an$iety or defensiveness, particularly if the legs appear tense and even more so if one leg is wrapped firmly around the other. A rela$ed cross with lower legs falling close together needs a wider pelvis and hence may be used as a se$ual signal by women, particularly if they have e$posed legs. The figure.four cross occurs where one ankle is placed on top of the other legs' knee, with top leg's knee pointing sideways. This can be a surreptitious crotch display, and is more common amongst men as it invites females and challenges other males. This may be covered with hands that hold the shin or ankle of the top leg.

Pointing
"egs may be used to point to things of interest, as with other parts of the body. The reverse is also true and pulling a leg back may show disinterest.

$tanding
'hen standing, one leg may point at an angle with both foot and knee, for e$ample in a conversation where a person who wants to leave points at the door. /ointing anywhere away from the other person means '# want to be elsewhere'. %ometimes, when the genitals are e$posed in a crotch display the legs do point to the side, but this is not the real message that is being sent.

$itting
'hen sitting, legs do not have to support the body but they are more visible and so send more obvious messages unless they are under a table, where they still may subconsciously point in a direction of interest!. %itting legs may point with knees or feet at interesting other people, as well as desired direction of travel. %itting forward with one foot pointing away and the other back is preparation to stand up and is a common signal that the person wants to leave or go somewhere.

!oving
:oving legs sometimes is just e$ercising them to get the circulation moving more and loosen cramped muscles. %ometimes also this sends a signal.

$tanding
%winging a leg when standing can act as a pointer. 1ouncing the leg can indicate impatience. :oving a leg is one way of getting closer to another person without full body movement. /ulling it back shows disinterest. 'hen the leg moves back and fore towards and away from a person it may be a subtle 'Attraction.rejection' game that invites the other person to chase after you. #f done in time to music, especially if it bounces the upper body, it can be an invitation to dance females sometimes deliberately do this to make their breasts bounce and so entice a male!.

$itting
A crossed leg may bounce up and down. This can be a sign of impatience particularly if rapid! or attraction, as with standing movement. #t may also be rather obvious pointing. 'hen sitting, a knee waving sideways can also indicate impatience or point sideways. The leg may also swing in time to music, indicating that the person is rela$ed and enjoying the vibe and perhaps inviting others to join in!.

'triking
"egs can also be weapons, as all martial artists know. "egs are longer than arms and have much bigger muscles. This can make a kick very powerful. The legs can hit with thigh or knee such as in the groin strike!, the shin a nice hard bone! or the top, ball or side of the foot. Actual striking is rare, but moving as if to kick someone can come from a desire to actually do so. A slight twitch in the right direction can thus signal aggression and cause embarrassment. %winging the leg may simulate kicking.

Touching

$tanding
'hen standing, not much of the leg can be touched. The bottom or thighs may be stroked seductively. They may also be slapped. A single slap can say '+ight, let's go' and signal that the person is about to make a suggestion. A slapped side of leg may also indicate irritation, saying '6ang, 'hat a nuisance,'

$itting
'hen sitting, more of the leg may be reached, particularly in the figure.four cross. leg position, and in a more visible manner. %eductive stroking can thus be a strong se$ual invitation. /reening may also be used, brushing real or imagined bits of fluff off crossed legs. The leg may also be tapped, perhaps in time to music and perhaps impatiently.

Thigh body language

Thighs are the upper legs, containing the femur and a lot of muscle. They have a ball joint at the top that allows full rotation and a hinge at the knee at the bottom.

O(ening
'hen the thighs are rotated apart, they e$pose the genitals and thus send a very inviting message. #n intercourse, a woman's thighs are open and thus this is a particularly strong suggestion, particularly when wearing a short skirt or dress. (or men it says something along the lines 'Hey, look at my great big penis,' (or other men, this can mean ':y penis is bigger than yours,' ;pening the thighs also e$pose the genitals to attack and this move may also be a power display, saying 'You dare not attack me because # am so powerful.' #n a rela$ed pose, the thighs are typically slightly open, with legs running in parallel from the hips.

losing
#n an opposite of opening, thighs that are pulled tight together send a signal of rejection that says something like '-o way you're getting in here,' Hnees together can be )uite a prim move, particularly when sitting. 'hen wearing a short skirt, it can also be a pragmatic position to prevent embarrassing and socially undesirable e$posure of the genitals.

rossing
0rossing the thighs, standing or sitting, takes the defensiveness of closing further. #t is often a strong 'closed' signal very much like crossing the arms right across the body. 'hen the upper body is open and the thighs are closed, this may be a symptom of the person applying deliberate control to their upper body but forgetting and over.compensating with! their legs. This can also be a rela$ed position, particularly when the muscles seem loose.

Lifting
"ifting the thigh is a basic element of walking and may be a signal of a desire to walk away. The weight of the body rests on the legs and the thigh has the largest muscles to manage this precarious balance. "ifting the thigh may simply be a stretching e$ercise. 1ouncing the thigh up and down may be a signal of impatience.

Touching
'hen people are about to stand up, they may put both hands on the thighs to push themselves up. This may also be a signal of readiness '#'m ready to go,'!. /utting both hands on the thighs with the elbows out sideways can be a sitting version of hands.on.hips, widening the body and showing displeasure or threatening action. Touching the thighs draws attention to them. As the thighs are near the genitals, touching can be very suggestive. The nearer the genitals the hands move, the more inviting it is. Touching the inside of the leg is more suggestive than touching the outside of the leg. The thigh may be slapped as a self.punishment or 'gee up' self motivation.

%nee body language

The knee is made up of the kneecap patela! and the joint between the upper and lower legs. 'hilst other areas may offer greater communication, the knee does its bit.

Pointing
The knee can act as a subtle pointer, just like the elbow. 'hen pointing towards something or somebody, the knee can indicate desire. /ointing away, it indicates the opposite. Thus a knee in a crossed leg standing or sitting! in a conversation can indicate who the person is really thinking about. Alternatively the person may point their knee at such as the bar or the door to show their inner wishes.

-ea(on
The knee, again like the elbow, can act as a weapon, with perhaps the most well known if not the most common! use being an attack on the usually male! groin of another person. Another attack is in the side of the thigh, temporarily disabling them with a 'dead leg'. Twitching of the knee towards a person may be a desirable pointing and it may also be a desire to hit them.

1ttracting
Hnees are often considered to be se$ually attractive and e$posing them below the hemline in short skirts and dresses can be a deliberate female ploy to create attention.

Touching
Touching and stroking the knee, particularly when done by women, may signal a desire that a nearby man does the same and is hence a se$ual invitation or tease. The knees are vulnerable in an attack, and a good kick will disable the person for a long time. Holding the knees may thus be a defensive act when the person is feeling an$ious. 'omen may also hold their knees when they feel the attention of men that they would rather not have. %ometimes they dress in attractive ways more from social convention than from a desire to be picked up.

Foot body language

After eons of using our feet mostly for erect walking, we have lost most of the ability that our primate cousins still have to pick things up and manipulate things as if our feet were another pair of hands.

Pointing
(eet are elongated as walking and stable platforms and so can be used for pointing, as with other parts of the body. 'e point at things that are of interest to us and feet, being down on the ground are often not noticed. They thus may send a very subtle and subconscious signal about people we like or places we would like to go like away from a current conversationalist!. #n some cultures the feet are the lowest part of the body and e$posing them to others is an insult, particularly the sole of the foot so be careful when crossing your legs!.

urling
'e cannot move the foot a great deal and pretty much all we can do is curl the toes up or down. 0urling the feet can be a sign of e$treme pleasure or e$treme pain!.

5icking
The feet can be used for kicking and hurting others. 'e can kick with the toes not always good as this may break them!, with the ball of the foot popular in martial arts!, with the side of the foot, the bottom of the foot, the heel or with the top of the foot.

'tam(ing
'e can stamp with the whole flat of the foot or the heel. %tamping makes a noise and can be an attention.getting signal 'Hey, "isten to me,' #t can often be signal of anger and aggression, particularly when used with other noise.making devices such as shouting, perhaps to frighten the other person into submission or flight.

!oving
Tapping the foot can be a sign of impatience as the person gets into a kind of tense repetitive state. The foot becomes literally a like a clock's pendulum, marking and moving on time. :oving the feet is also a common indicator of a person lying, particularly if they are sitting down and their feet are hidden under a table. An$iety brings energy and presenters at conferences and teachers may walk up and down, even when they know they should really stay in one place. This is sometimes called 'happy feet'. %winging the foot can be a form of pointing.

Touching
The foot can be an erotic object and stroking it can be mildly suggestive. 'hen legs are crossed, the foot may be massaged or s)uee&ed, perhaps to relieve tension or as a substitute for massaging tension elsewhere in the body. +efle$ology is a massage method that relieves all kinds of ills by using pressure points on the sole of the foot. #f the person knows or has discovered some of these, then they may be subtly