Making Up Again!

Detecting Lies In Body Language

All of us have experienced lying, and many of us may even think they are already good at it. But how would you know if your partner, friend, sibling, lover, co-staff, acquaintance, or even a stranger is lying to you? What are the different clues to detect lying? The solution is simple: read and interpret his or her body language.

Signs To Look For

The most common signs of lying that you should look for are signs of nervousness, stress, anxiety, tension, defense, and discomfort. These will be evidenced by different gestures, facial expressions, actions, or mannerisms. And among them are self-touching, speech errors, speech hesitations, different eye movements, discrepancies in the body and posture, and many more.

Touching Self

Self touches are also known as adaptors. Liars would tend to touch or rub their nose, scratch their forehead, play with the hair, wring or twist their fingers, cover the mouth, and the like. The urge of frequent self touching indicates extreme nervousness and increasing tension. However, there are some people that have already trained themselves to avoid using these adaptors. Thus, detecting other clues is relevant.

Speech Errors And Hesitations

People who lie, especially those caught in the act, stumble over their speech, stutter, or even mispronounce. Voice pitch will somehow ascend and pacing is faster. However, clues in the speech is tricky. A person may already have speech defects at birth or it may be normal for that person to speak in a fast pace. These are only helpful if you are already familiar with how the person speaks.

Eye Movements

The eyes are the loudest channel of honesty and lies. Eye movements that may indicate lying include lateral movement, squinting, frequent blinking, and looking away. Pupil dilation also occurs during a state of tension, but this is not easy to observe. For ages, it was believed that the inability to hold one’s gaze for a long time indicates lying. However, many people are already aware of this and practice over time how to lie even with eye contact.

Body and Posture Discrepancies

A person may cover up lies through confident facial expressions and voice pitch and volume, however their body can reveal dishonesty. Fidgeting, shakiness, trembling of the hands, body stiffness, shuffling of the feet, and jitters are typical indicators of lying, but they are not that definitive or reliable. Gestures showing the palm indicates sincerity. But in lying, the palms are rarely seen and are usually inside their pockets. As a defensive posture and protection, one would tend to cross his arms across his chest. Liars are also prone to sweating, increasing heart rate, breathing deeper, and being pale.

Other Clues Of Lying

Aside from those stated above, there are several more indicators of lying. However, they are less reliable in detection of dishonesty. Among them are forced smiles, slight tightening of the forehead between the eyebrows, lip biting, hand shrugs, movement of the Adam’s apple, delay of answers or response, flaring of nostrils, tighter lips, elbows pulled to the sides, tilting head movements, inability to concentrate on other things, and other unnatural gestures.

This is the art of understanding body language. Even though sometimes unreliable, several different gestures can tell you how sincere and honest a person is to you. Simply look for the typical signs of lying and detect dishonesty instantly.

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Samples Of Body Language And Their Meaning

Body language is a form of communication wherein one would use the areas or parts of the body to convey a message. It involves gestures, facial expressions, and other body movements. It is an essential part of communication since words alone is not enough to show one’s meaning, ideas, or emotions.

There are many gestures that our complex body could make, and each one have different interpretations. However, there are times when a gesture does not necessarily reflect or show what you intend to say or feel inside.

Interpretation of Handshakes

Handshakes have many meanings and is used in different situations. It is used when greeting others, meeting new people, or closing a deal or agreement. You can use handshakes to make good impressions. You can show that you are confident by giving firm handshakes, with your hand pointing downwards and your arm extended. On the other hand, a weak handshake with the hand pointing upwards would indicate that you are shy, uncomfortable or nervous.

The Eyes and Their Secrets

The eyes, small as they are, have big meanings and indications behind them. Eye contact is one of the strongest eye language that one can use to say that they are interested, sincere, and attentive. Lack of eye contact and inability to prolong it may mean that the person is lying, hiding something, or is becoming bored or uninterested.

The eyes can also perform vertical and lateral scans or movements. Vertical scan is wherein the person may be checking out the whole appearance of another, from head to toe. This is typical in meeting other people to gain the first impression. The latter, lateral or horizontal scan, may mean looking from one eye to the other or checking out the surroundings.

Looking form one eye to another may mean discomfort and can be straining; thus if you want to make an impression that you are holding eye contact, you may opt looking at the bridge of the nose of the other person. When doing this type of lateral scan then to the forehead, it indicates that you are talking to someone with superiority. When looking from one eye to another then to the nose, you are talking to someone in the same level of status.

You’re eyes can also express different feelings or state of mind. The act of winking is a signal of agreement or flirtation. Glancing means a moment of desire for the specific object. When one squints at what you are saying, it means that he is analyzing if you are telling the truth. When one wants to get away from the world even for a moment and think deeply, he would tend to close his eyes. And if the eyes would widen, it is a signal of shock, surprise, or disbelief.

Arms Crossed Across The Chest

Crossing the arms would mean differently depending on who is talking. If you are the one talking and the other person crosses his arms, it means he does not believe you or was insulted by something you said and uses it as a barrier of defense. Meanwhile, if he is talking with his arms crossed, it may mean that he is hiding something from you or simply feels cold.

Other Gestures And Movements in Body Language

Nervousness, anxiety, and lack of confidence can be shown when you put your hands in your pocket, slouch, fidget, drum your fingers on the table, rock or shuffle your feet, and the like. Thus if you want to give a good impression, try to avoid these gestures; although most of the times they are subconscious actions.

Understanding and knowing how to read body language of other people can give you the ability of interpreting another person’s thoughts, and you will be able know how to react appropriately.

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Importance of Body Language In An Attraction

Communication will never be effective without body language. Words only make out 7% of the communication process and speech particulars (voice, intonation, pacing) make out 38%. The rest of the 55% comes from the body gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

The first signs of attraction that a person usually sends to another comes from the body, not the mouth. Actions do indeed speak louder than words. Body language is significant in attraction because most of us are hesitant in telling our inner feelings. So why not let our bodies speak for us?

Common Signs Of Attraction

One can show his or her attraction to another person through eye contact. A brief eye contact may not mean anything, but if it would last longer than it should, it may be a definitive sign of attraction. Note if he would look back as well. Even though your eye met for a few seconds but if he would not look back again, it means he may not be attracted to you.

Simple gestures of smiling and closing the distance between both of you are strong signals of attraction as well. That person would tend too lean forward or the direction of his or her body would be towards you. Touching from time to time is also a way of showing this feeling; sometimes he or she would accidentally brush against you just to have that physical contact.

The Most Attractive Body Language

A confident body language could always attract anybody from any gender. It is rare for somebody who prefers a person with a poor posture and mishandled gestures; these signify low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence.

Show confidence by giving a firm handshake, maintaining a good posture, and proper use of gestures. These reflects a high self-image. Develop these practice of body language, and you will be successful in meeting new people.

Difference Of Men And Women

Men and women definitely have different ways of showing each other how they feel. Women usually show more obvious signs. They would try to make themselves look more attractive by adjusting their clothes, smoothening the skirt, and the like. They would twirl or play with their hair, cross and uncross their legs, and rock their leg back and forth with the sandal hanging on the toes. These are playful gestures but they are effective signals of attraction.

On the other hand, men would show their prowess by showing off their masculinity through their “macho” posture. This posture is done by standing taller and squaring the shoulders back. Some men would hook their thumbs into their belt to emphasize their masculinity more. Unconscious gestures done by men when interacting with the person they are attracted to include touching the tie and raising the eyebrows.

It Could Be A Waste Of Time

After giving hints that you are into this person, how would you know if he or she is not attracted to you? A person, consciously or unconsciously, could give signs saying, “No. I really am not interested.” If a person can’t tell you directly through words, then look for signs from his or her body language.

Lack of eye contact, forced or fake smiles, frequent sighing, looking around except at you, and the like – if you are given these signals of annoyance or lack of interest, then consider it as a waste of time.

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The Body Language Of Men

Men are indeed much more difficult to read compared to women. It is because they are less expressive and have reserved facial expressions. Fact is you cannot know a man well enough without interaction for a period of time. But here are some tips on the interpretations on the typical acts of male body language. By understanding men, you will know when he is flirting and the normal male behavior; in the end, you may find men’s behavior less annoying and less difficult to read.

Typical Acts Of Men

There are only a few signs of body language common among males, these include reserved facial expression, head tilting, fidgeting, finger pointing, and direct confrontation.

Men are less expressive than women. It is rare that a man’s face will truly brighten. But nonetheless, their eyes are never dull when they are interested on something or someone. A man would also tend to tilt the head during a conversation. It does not mean anything negative – it is just typically male. They usually also cannot stay still, thus they fidget and move around more than women do.

Pointing a finger at someone has always been regarded as a rude act. But this gesture comes naturally in men. They usually do this when they want to emphasize what they are saying. Men also usually does not walk away from conflict or arguments. They would confront you directly by facing you with an intense look in the eye, but there are times when they would simply walk away.

Signs That He’s Attracted To Me

Men’s flirting actions are not that obvious compared to women. But when he is looking at you with a certain brightness accompanied with a smile, he definitely is into you. Raising the eyebrows are flirting signals as well, but observe if he raises his eyebrows at anyone or only at you. Men also would love to close the distance between the woman he likes and himself. He loves to lean forward and whisper in her ear just to be closer.

Bottom line is, when a man treats you differently than he usually treats other people, he is attracted to you. Do not immediately interpret that a man’s tender actions towards you already indicates flirtation. He may be the same with other people.

Masculinity: The Macho Pose

Men usually shows their prowess by doing the macho pose. They would try to stand or sit tall, square their shoulder, and hook their thumbs into the belt. Stroking his tie and putting the hands on the waist are also gestures indicating masculinity.

“I Am In Control.”

A typical male wants to show that he is the boss or he is in control in any situation. Before a man closes a distance between himself and the other person involved, he would first stand a little farther. This allows him to make observations about the situation, and when he has gotten control of it, he would move closer. They also tend to lean back when listening, except when the person is the woman he is attracted to.

Women usually get annoyed with how bland or unsatisfying men’s methods are in treating them. But it is indeed a fact that most men are alike in terms of body language. Male body language is difficult to analyze if you only have literal means of reading them. One way to truly understand a man is to interact with them and explore their personalities.

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Body Language From Head To Foot

It is very essential to have the ability to read and understand another person’s body language. Listening only to the words the other person is saying is not always enough. His or her body language can always tell if that person is being honest in what she is saying and what she really feels deep inside.

Body language entails the gestures and movements involving the body, from head to foot. Each signal of body language may have different meanings, depending on the situation in which it was delivered.

Head

You can signal yes or no by the movement of the head. Nodding usually means “yes” or “I agree”. But in other countries such as Yugoslavia and Turkey, it sometimes means “no”.

Tilting the head backwards or to the side indicates that the person is thinking deeply or considering a though or idea.

Face (Eyes, Nose, Lips)

Facial expressions are obvious visible signs of how someone truly feels, however there are some people who have practiced to take control of their facial expressions by making them somewhat expressionless or passive.

Even with an inexpressive face, nobody could miss what is being expressed through the eyes. The eyes can speak volumes given any circumstance. Eye contact is a strong indication of focus of attention, interest, attraction, and honesty. You can spot somebody lying to you if he or she cannot hold an eye contact for a period of time. When the eyes would look away, it signifies lack of interest, dishonesty, and boredom. But there are times when looking away signifies attraction or simply an occurrence of a slight distraction, for as long as the person will look back to the person he is talking to.

Touching or rubbing the nose is one of the most common self-touching gestures, which is usually done by people who are lying or trying to hide something. Blowing of the nose is a gesture seen as rude by most countries, but it is considered as healthy in some countries in Asia.

Licking or biting the lips is one of the typical signals of flirting done by women. Kissing is a gesture to show one’s affection, and also used as a form of greeting. But there are conservative countries, particularly in Asia, which do not allow public display of affection such as kissing. And in some cultures like in the Philippines and Puerto Rico, the lips are used for pointing instead of the finger.

Arms And Hands

There are plenty different hand gestures, and each one has different meanings. The most common hand gestures are hands-in-the-pocket, arms crossed over the chest, hands on the waist, and handshakes. The first one may indicate nervousness or lack of interest. Crossing the arms signifies a defensive posture, and it may also mean doubt or suspicion of what the other person is saying. The hands on the waist may indicate anger or fury, but men also do this to show their masculinity. A handshake, meanwhile, is a form of greeting in most countries.

Legs And Feet

Crossing the legs are done by most people, especially women. Most of the time, it is done as a comfortable position. However, there are countries that regard this action as rude.

The Misuse Of The Ability

The ability of reading someone’s body gestures sometimes is not reliable. The gestures performed by a person that are regarded as rude by other people maybe just habits of that person without the intention of being rude.

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