Reading body language in conversations can be a powerful tool to understand people better, but it's important to approach it with caution and awareness. Here are some key insights and tips from Redditors on how to read body language effectively:

General Tips

• Context is Key: Body language must be read through the totality of the circumstances. Consider the person, observer, environment, and more. "Reading body language is not an exact science. There are broad generalizations, but every person will act differently to different stressors."

• Look for Consistency: Pay attention to inconsistencies between verbal and non-verbal cues. "Having someone tell you nice words while holding a position of closure and without a warm smile would be weird."

• Practice and Observe: Regularly practice by observing people in different settings. "Honestly, there’s only so much you can learn from books. Just watching people is the best you can do."

Specific Body Language Cues

• Eye Contact: Direct eye contact can indicate engagement, while avoiding it might suggest nervousness or dishonesty. "If they're looking directly at you, they're listening clearly and stuff. Looking away could imply they're lying or just simply not bothered."

• Feet Direction: Feet often subconsciously point towards where a person wants to go or their focus. "My faves are look at people's feet to see where their attention is. They subconsciously prepare to walk there."

• Arm and Hand Gestures: Crossed arms might indicate a defensive or closed-off stance. "Where their arms are - folded, they most likely are somewhat holding themselves back from expressing themselves and not necessarily happy."

• Facial Expressions: Micro-expressions can reveal true emotions, even if brief. "Paul Ekman found micro expressions are impossible to conceal within 1/15th of a second."

Recommended Resources

• Books:

  • "What Every Body is Saying" by Joe Navarro

  • "The Definitive Book of Body Language" by Allan and Barbara Pease

  • "The Like Switch" by Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins

• Shows and Videos:

  • "Lie to Me" TV Show

  • Body Language Analysis Videos on YouTube. "Science of body language"

Cautionary Notes

• Avoid Over-Interpretation: Body language is not an exact science, and individual differences can be significant. "Don't assume too much from too little."

• Cultural Differences: Be aware that body language can vary significantly across cultures. "There are cultures where making eye contact is seen as a sign of disrespect."

• Pseudoscience Concerns: Some aspects of body language reading are considered pseudoscience. "Be aware that reading body language has been called a pseudoscience by some."

By combining these tips with consistent practice and further study, you can develop a better understanding of body language in conversations.

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