5 body language clues you MUST know!

Image by Michael Ruiz via Flickr

A clue for each of the five senses.

1. SIGHT

The steeple.

Hands in a prayer like position, can be pointed up or in lap pointed forward. This is a sign of confidence. Be careful if your opponent does this just as you make your move. The steeple is saying that he's confident, possibly that he'll win, if you continue in this direction.

2. TOUCH

Any imaginary lint?

Hopefully no one will do this while you're talking. With each piece of imaginary lint flicked off his clothing, another one of your ideas is being dismissed.

3. SMELL (work with me, not much body language with smell...)

Crossed arms.

Crossed arms are never good, they close off the individual and let you know that he is no longer working with you, rather he's blocking you out. The worst is the crossed arms with the hands jammed in the armpits and thumbs pointing up (arguably the funniest way to cross arms!). This means that not only are you shut out, but this person is feeling superior over you.

4. SOUND

Hear the silence?

Be sure to hear the silence when you are talking. Say what you have to say, but give others time to chime in. If people feel there's no room to turn your lecture into a discussion, they simply stop talking.

5. TASTE

Finger over mouth.

Let's say you're listening to someone who's been talking FOREVER (like someone above who missed hearing the silence). Finally you squeeze your way into the conversation and the other guy puts his finger over his mouth while you talk...what is that all about? It could be two things: 1) he's physically trying not speak, holding back his words, or 2) he's trying to tell you to shush. Either way it's no good.