Body Language - Understanding the Code of the Unsaid

Here's a situation, you are talking with co-workers on a lunch break. One of them said he is planning to apply for a promotion because he thinks he deserve it. You did a half-smile, pulled your eyeglasses down to your nose bridge and peered over him, as a reaction. He then looked at you angrily and walked away. Pretending to be confused, you're like, "what did I do?" He was obviously insulted. Your gesture delivered the notion of him being unworthy to get a promotion. You said nothing, but he got your message anyway.

Action speaks louder than words. So true when we literally talk of body language. The human body speaks volumes. By just observing a person's posture, eye and finger movements, verbal contexts and tone, breathing, skin color, etc.; you can gain access to ones thoughts and feelings. In this discussion, we will focus more on body movements and postures.

In an event where u are the speaker of a conference, you know that you have the person's full attention when he keeps his palms down with the left hand over the right and his head tilted sideways which is a sign of interest. However, if you see the right hand covering the left and there is a quick flick of his head upwards, it means otherwise. This person is sending u a signal that he has doubts, probably not agreeing with what is being said, and is just waiting for his chance to interrupt. He may also pull his earlobe at the time when he is about to butt in.

Meanwhile, if you observe someone looking straight at you, not blinking, body tense but upright, don't be fooled. His gesture shows inattentiveness and that person is just giving you a false impression that he is listening. Some other unwilling listeners show postures like, sitting with both arms and legs crossed displaying mental withdrawal and opposition to what is being discussed. When you see one with head resting on his hand and eyes looking down, or head raised to look at the ceiling with fingers slightly tapping the armchair, or maybe legs crossed with foot slightly kicking, these are all signs of extreme boredom. Well, aside from yawning, of course.