Body Language Body Gestures:
The Magic, Movements and Reading of Body Language

While sitting in the company of our friends or our acquaintances we must observe whether they are really enjoying our talk or are just getting bored. Although most of us hardly bother about such a term as ‘bore’ in an informal situation, one must be able to analyze in a formal situation whether the audience is really listening to you or not. This can be identified by observing certain actions and gestures of the listeners.

Rejection:

Gestures like beating the table, beating knuckles on the table, yawning, looking somewhere else, gossiping or placing one’s head down on the table etc. denote that the listener is getting bored and something must be done to quickly regain the interest of the listeners. The drooping-eyes position is the gesture shown by a person who does not bother to hide his feelings. He puts his open hand to the side of his head, drops his chin in a nodding manner and allows his eyelids to droop.

Sometimes it so happens that the listener seems to be looking directly into your eyes but his thoughts has drifted away to some other things. The best way to identify this is by putting up a query directly to that person. Being faced by such a scene that person feels perplexed and may ask you to repeat the question or simply say “I beg your pardon”. Another way to identify this kind of a situation is by observing the eyes of the listener. The eyes of the listener hardly blink, as if he is in a state of trance.

Other indications of boredom are- frequently looking at your wristwatch...nail chewing, or throwing one’s head in a backwards motion in order to be in a more comfortable position, or rather more defensive position. Showing signs of being hungry, thirsty or uncomfortable are also common indications of boredom. This is all according to people who think they can read the human body and that the body speaks louder than words. The fact is if a person is looking at his wristwatch is it possible he has another engagement and he is keeping track of the time? Sure it is. If a person is nibbling on the nails, it doesn’t mean he is bored, it could mean he has a nervous condition also. If a person is tossing back their head, is it possible vanity is in the picture rather than seeking comfort, or preparing for defense? Some people do this to get their hair out of the face.

Acceptance:

Acceptance gestures are difficult to identify although it can be easily identified whether you are being rejected or not. In a group if you are speaking and someone moves closer to you and places a hand on your chest or shoulders in a reassuring way means that you are trusted and whatever you are saying is being accepted as the truth. Though this can never be taken as a sure shot signal it mostly is true.

But still some of the signals that can indicate acceptance are:

1) Hand to chest gesture: this gesture can indicate greeting others, pledging allegiance to national flag, openness, sincerity, swearing an oath etc. In general this kind of a signal indicates devotion, loyalty and honesty.

2) Touching gestures: by touching we simply express our emotions to our close ones. When someone approaches us and touches us it can mean that he/she wants us to stop and start listening to him/her. Touching or grasping one’s hands or shoulders can mean that the other person wants to interrupt or put weight on some issue. Touching gestures can also be used to calm down a person. Touching gestures like hugging someone indicate intimacy, love or friendliness or a sort of closeness in relation.