INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | SEATED BODY POINTING | OPENING A SESSION USING A 45 DEGREE ANGLE KEEPS THINGS RELAXED | DIRECT BODY POINTING KEEPS THINGS SERIOUS

Opening a session using a 45 degree angle keeps things relaxed

The standing triangular position, sitting at 45 degrees gives an informal, relaxed attitude to the meeting and is a good opening position for a counselling session.

Opening a session using a 45 degree angle keeps things relaxed 

Direct body pointing keeps things serious

When you position your body 45 degrees away from the other person, you take the pressure off the interview.

Direct body pointing keeps things serious

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | PEERING-OVER-THE-GLASSES | PEERING-OVER-THE-GLASSES INTIMIDATES EVERYONE | CREATING THE ’FOUR EYES EFFECT OF DILATED PUPILS

Peering-Over-the-Glasses

Often the person would be wearing reading glasses and find it more convenient to look over the tops, rather than removing them to look at the other person.

Peering-Over-the-Glasses intimidates everyone

Glasses on the Head

They give the wearer the appearance that they have two huge eyes with dilated pupils on the top of their head; this mimics the nonthreatening effect that babies and cuddly toys with painted large pupils have on us.

Creating the ’Four Eyes‚effect of dilated pupils

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | OWNERSHIP GESTURES | CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF THE DESK

People showing ownership

People showing ownership by connecting the item to their body.

Claiming ownership

Placing his foot hard against the of the desk to stake his claim to it.

Claiming ownership of the desk

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | SMOKERS GESTURES | SMOKE BLOWN UP CONFIDENT SUPERIOR POSITIVE | SMOKE BLOWN DOWN NEGATIVE SECRETIVE SUSPICIOUS

Blown UP

A person who is feeling positive superior or confident about what he sees or hears will blow the smoke in an upward direction most of the time.

Smoke blown up : confident, superior, positive

smoke blown down

A person in a negative, secretive or suspicious frame of mind will blow the smoke down most of the time. Blowing down and from the corner of the mouth indicates an even more negative or secretive attitude.

smoke blown down : negative, secretive, suspicious

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | MIRROR IMAGE GESTURES | THINKING ALIKE | MIRRORING THE OTHER PERSON’S BODY LANGUAGE TO GAIN ACCEPTANCE

Mirroring - Image

The two men standing at the bar in the above illustration. They are mirroring so it’s reasonable to assume that they are discussing a topic on which they have similar thoughts and feelings.

Thinking alike 

Mirroring the other person’s body language to gain acceptance

This has the effect of putting the other person in a receptive and relaxed frame of mind, because he can ’see‚ that you understand his point of view.

Mirroring the other person’s body language to gain acceptance

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | LEG TWINE GESTURES | SHY TIMID PEOPLE USE THE LEG TWINE | SHY TIMID PEOPLE USE THE LEG TWINE

Shy, timid people use the Leg Twine

This gesture is almost exclusively used by women and is a trademark of shy and timid women and part-time contortionists.

Shy, timid people use the Leg Twine

A warm, friendly, low-key approach is needed if you eventually hope to open this clam.

Shy, timid people use the Leg Twine

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | LEG CLAMB GESTURES | LEG CLAMB | THE LEG CLAMP - LOCKING A COMPETITIVE ATTITUDE INTO PLACE | THE ANKLE LOCK | A WOMAN MINIMISING HER LEG SPACE

The Leg Clamp - locking a competitive attitude into place

Not only does this person have a competitive attitude, they lock the Figure Four into a permanent position using one or both hands as a clamp.

The Leg Clamp - locking a competitive attitude into place

The Ankle Lock

The male version of the Ankle Lock is often combined with clenched fists resting on the knees or with the hands tightly gripping the arms of the chair and a seated Crotch Display.

The Ankle Lock 

 A woman minimising her leg space

The female version varies slightly: the knees are held together, the feet may be to one side and the hands rest side by side or one on top of the other resting on the upper legs.

A woman minimising her leg space

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | POSITIONS GESTURES | UNCERTAIN ABOUT EACH OTHER | OPENNESS AND ACCEPTANCE

 Uncertain about each other

They move through a series of movements taking them from the defensive crossed arms and legs position to the relaxed open position. This standing ’opening-up‚ procedure follows the same sequence everywhere.

Uncertain about each other 

Openness and acceptance

Placed together in the Attention Position. Next, the arm folded on top in the arm-cross comes out and the palm is occasionally flashed when speaking but is eventually not used as a barrier.

Openness and acceptance

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | TERRITORIES AND ZONES | EVALUATIONS OR DECISION CLUSTER | THE INTIMATE ZONE | THE PERSONAL ZONE | THE SOCIAL ZONE | THE PUBLIC ZONE

The Intimate Zone - The Public Zone

Zone Distances

Evaluations or Decision Cluster

The Intimate Zone between 6 and 18 inches (15-45 centimetres).Of all the zone distances, this is by far the most important, as it is this zone that a person guards as if it were 194 Space Invaders - Territories and Personal Space his own property.

The Personal Zone between 18 inches and 48 inches (46cm - 1.22m). This is the distance that we stand from others at cocktail parties, office parties, social functions and friendly gatherings.

The Social Zone between 4 and 12 feet (1.22- - 3.6m). We stand at this distance from strangers, the plumber or carpenter doing repairs around our home, the postman, the local shopkeeper, the new employee at work and people whom we don’t know very well.

The Public Zone is over 12 feet (3.6m). Whenever we address a large group of people, this is the comfortable distance at which we choose to stand.

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | EYEBROW FLASH | THE EYEBROW FLASH | EYE WIDENING

The Eyebrow Flash

The Eyebrow Flash is universal and is also used by monkeys and apes as a social greeting signal, confirming that it›s an inborn gesture.

The Eyebrow Flash 

Eye Widening

Lowering the eyebrows is how humans show dominance or aggression towards others, whereas raising the eyebrows shows submission.

Eye Widening

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | CHIN STROKING | MAKING A DECISION | EVALUATION/DECISION-MAKING CLUSTER | EVALUATION DECISION BOREDOM CLUSTER

Making a decision

This Chin Stroke is the signal that the listener is going through the decision making process.

Making a decision

Stalling Clusters

When a person puts a pen or a finger in their mouth after you’ve asked for a decision, it’s a signal that he is unsure and reassurance is needed.

Evaluation/decision-making cluster

boredom cluster

The next picture shows evaluation with the head supported by the thumb as the listener becomes uninterested.

Evaluation, decision,boredom cluster

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | EYE RUB GESTURES | THE EYE RUB | THE EAR GRAB

The Eye Rub

The Eye Rub is the brain’s attempt to block out the deceit, doubt or distasteful thing it sees, or to avoid having to look at the face of the person who is being lied to.

The Eye Rub 

The Ear Grab

The Ear Grab can also be a signal that the person has heard enough or may want to speak.

The Ear Grab

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | HANDS CLENCHED GESTURE | FRONT OF THE FACE | HANDS CLENCHED IN CENTRE POSITION | HANDS CLENCHED IN LOWER POSITION

Body Languages ->Hands Clenched Gestures

front of the face

The hands clenched in front of the face.

Hands clenched in centre position 

 The hands clenched resting

The hands clenched resting on he desk or on the lap; and when standing, hands clenched in front of the crotch.

Hands clenched in lower position

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | HANDSHAKES OF CONTROL | THE WRIST HOLD | THE ELBOW GRASP

The Receiver’s Right AArm

The left hand is used to communicate the depth of feeling the initiator wants to convey and this is relative to the distance the initiator’s left hand is placed up the receiver’s right arm .

The Wrist Hold 

The Upper-Arm Grip

The Elbow Grasp conveys more intimacy and control than the Wrist Hold, and the Shoulder Hold conveys more than the Upper-Arm Grip.

The Elbow Grasp

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | POSITIONS GESTURES | THE START OF POSITION | SEATED BODY POINTING | EVALUATIONS OR DECISION CLUSTER | EVALUATIONS OR DECISION CLUSTER

 

The Start Of Position

The Starter’s Position

Readiness gestures that signal a desire to conclude a meeting include leaning forward with both hands on both knees, or leaning forward with both hands gripping the chair as if they were at the start of a race.

On your marks, get set: in the starting blocks -readiness to end an encounter or a conversation

Seated Body Pointing

Evaluations Or Decision Cluster

Body Pointing is used to close off a couple and exclude the man on the right.

Evaluations or Decision Cluster

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | COMMON GESTURES | THE HEAD RESULTING IN A NOD | THE HEAD SMALLER AND MORE SUBMISSIVE | HEAD SHOWS

Hand - Face

Fig shows evaluation with the head supported by the thumb as the listener becomes uninterested.

Evaluations Decisions

The Head Tilt

Figure shows the evaluation gesture moved to the chin

Figure shows the evaluation gesture moved to the chin, and the hand may also be stroking the chin. The person is evaluating the proposition, while making decisions at the same time.

Evaluations or Decision Cluster

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | COMMON GESTURES | THE HEAD RESULTING IN A NOD | THE HEAD SMALLER AND MORE SUBMISSIVE | HEAD SHOWS

The Head Resulting In A Nod

The Head Nod is used to signify ’Yes‚ or agreement. It’s a stunted form of bowing - the person symbolically goes to bow but stops short, resulting in a nod.

The number one gesture cluster women can't tolerate men doing at work

The Head Smaller And More Submissive

The Head Tilt displays the vulnerable neck and makes a person appear smaller and more submissive.

Head Shows

Head Down shows disapproval or dejection.

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | STANDING GESTURES | AT ATTENTION | THE ATTENTION STANCE | LEGS APART | THE CROTCH DISPLAY - PUTTING HIS MASCULINITY ON SHOW | THE FOOT - FORWARD | THE FOOT-FORWARD POSITION - POINTING AT WHERE THE MIND WANTS TO GO | LEG CROSS

At Attention

This is a formal position that shows a neutral attitude with no commitment to stay or go.

The Attention Stance

Legs Apart

The Crotch Displayer plants both feet firmly on the ground, making a clear statement that he has no intention of leaving. It is used as a dominance signal by men because it highlights the genitals, giving the Crotch Displayer a macho-looking attitude.

The Crotch Display - putting his masculinity on show

The Foot - Forward

The Foot - Forward Position as it allowed them to display their fine hosiery, shoes and breeches.

The Foot-Forward Position - pointing at where the mind wants to go

Leg Cross

The next time you attend a meeting with men and women you will notice some groups of people standing with their arms and legs crossed.

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | HEAD RUBBING GESTURES | PICKING IMAGINARY LINT | THE HEAD SHAKE | THE NEUTRAL HEAD POSITION

Picking Imaginary Lint

The Lint-Picker has a secret opinion and prefers not to state it.

Shaking the head owes its origin to breastfeeding.

The neutral head position

The Head Shake

The neutral head position 

INTERVIEW | BODY LANGUAGES | MOUTH GESTURES | COMMON GESTURES | THE MOUTH COVER | THUMB DISPLAYS REVEALING CONFIDENT AUTHORITATIVE ATTITUDES

The Mouth Cover

The Mouth Cover gesture by giving a fake cough. When actors play gangsters or criminals,they often use this gesture when discussing criminal activities with other gangsters .

The Mouth Cover

If your parents or minders used this gesture when you were a child, there’s a good chance it’s now in your adult repertoire.

Thumb displays revealing confident, authoritative attitudes