Reading body language in conversations can be a powerful tool to understand what people are truly thinking and feeling. However, it's important to remember that body language is not an exact science and can vary greatly from person to person and across different cultures. Here are some key tips and insights from Redditors on how to read body language in conversations:

General Tips

• Context is Key: Always consider the totality of the circumstances. Body language should be read in context with the person, environment, and situation. "Reading body language is not an exact science. There are broad generalizations, but every person will act differently to different stressors."

• Look for Clusters: Don't interpret single gestures in isolation. Look for groups of signals that indicate a consistent message. "Key thing to remember in reading others is that gestures shouldn't be interpreted individually but in groups."

• Practice Observation: Continuous practice and observation in real-life settings can help you become better at reading body language. "Try bringing a sketchbook to a crowded place and sketch some stick person figure drawings of people in different poses + facial expressions."

Specific Body Language Cues

Eye Contact

• Engaged vs. Disinterested: Maintaining eye contact often indicates that the person is interested and listening. "If they're looking directly at you, they're listening clearly and stuff."

• Avoiding Eye Contact: This could mean they are nervous, shy, or not interested. "Avoiding eye contact could mean that they're nervous so body language plays a big role."

Feet and Legs

• Direction of Feet: Feet often point towards what a person is interested in. If their feet are pointed away from you, they might want to end the conversation. "Feet point to what we're interested in."

• Leg Bouncing: This can indicate anxiety or discomfort. "Lol yeah right? Like leg bouncing. Motherfucker when I do that I'm in the zone."

Arms and Hands

• Crossed Arms: This can be a sign of feeling uncomfortable or closed off. "I read that if someone has their arms crossed in some way over their bodies, then that is a sign that they’re uncomfortable and untrusting towards you."

• Steepling Hands: This gesture can indicate confidence or a desire to appear superior. "Steepling hands is not fucking confidence. It's a pedantic sign of someone putting on an innocent face when they're not."

Facial Expressions

• Fake Smiles: Look for the involvement of the eyes. A genuine smile will often cause the eyes to crinkle at the corners. "You've got to raise your cheeks and squint your eyes a little."

• Rapid Blinking: This can indicate anxiety or excitement. "Rapid blinking means they are feeling anxious/excited/generally emotionally aroused."

Additional Considerations

• Cultural Differences: Body language can vary significantly across cultures. Be aware of these differences to avoid misinterpretations. "There are cultures where making eye contact is seen as a sign of disrespect."

• Neurodiversity: People with conditions like autism may exhibit body language that differs from neurotypical individuals. "Even us autists communicate things with our body language. We just speak a different language than NTs and they do t know it, so they incorrectly interpret it."

Resources for Further Learning

• Books: "Body Language - How to read others' thoughts by their gestures" by Allan Pease and "What Every Body is Saying" by Joe Navarro are highly recommended. "There's this book I've been reading about for a while now, it's called 'Body Language - How to read others' thoughts by their gestures' by Allan Pease."

• Videos and Articles: Watching videos or reading articles on body language can provide additional insights. "A good listen: http://lewishowes.com/podcast/vanessa-van-edwards/"

By paying attention to these cues and practicing regularly, you can improve your ability to read body language and better understand the people you interact with.

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