We last left off with
touching the face and what it can mean, but what about actual facial movements?
For example when someone is stressed they may flex their jaw, or maybe compress
their lips into a narrow line. Lips that are drawn like this often indicate withheld
opinions, they typically mean the gesture is being made to stay quiet, possibly
in order to appease a friend, relative or partner.
Leg crossing, like
crossing the arms, it can have several contexts. While standing it indicates
someone is highly comfortable in a situation, as it is an odd and very socially
casual gesture. Sitting however, you must read closer. If the persons top leg
is further away from you, it’s a sign of comfort, that is assuming you aren't in
a group or ‘circle’ situation in which case it is much harder to read. If it is
done so the body is slightly pointed away from your direction they are uncomfortable,
and making a sub-conscious barrier.
Freezing up, when your
nervous or deep in thought, we have all done it. When someone is focusing
intently that's typically all the brain can handle as far as anything else goes
so typically there is a moment of total stillness which we refer to as ‘freezing
up’. This is a key sign that:
A. They
are uncomfortable.
B. They
are nervous to tell you or someone something.
C. They
are profusely angry and deciding what to do.
While
sitting in a chair, if someone locks their ankles and moves their feet away
from your direction, it’s good indication that they are feeling uncomfortable. However
when someone wraps their ankles behind the legs of a chair it shows strong
signs of stress and defensiveness which if coupled with gripping the arms of
the chair, could mean they feel threatened.-T.H.
