| Overview
Peoples emotions can be detected without needed to hear what they have to say. Their body language can give you an insight into how they are feeling.
Anger or frustration
Anger would normally occur when a task or achieving goals gets frustrating. When people are angry they may demonstrate some of these signs:
- Showing of the teeth
- Clenching of fists, particularly if arms are folded
- They may lean forward into your space as a form of invasion
- Their neck or face becomes red or flushed
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Sadness
Sadness indicates the person may be in a depressive state.
- They may have a trembling lip
- Flat/monotone speech
- Tears
- Drooping of the body
Fear
When someone’s basic needs are threatened fear sets in. There are various levels of fear, from a mild anxiety to full blown terror. The range of body changes caused by fear are easy to spot
- Trembling lip
- Voice tremors
- Speech errors
- Avoiding eye contact
- Pale face
- A ‘cold sweat’
- Gasping
- Crossing of arms and legs
Embarrassment
Transgression of values or guilt causes embarrassment.
- Looking down and away from others
- Avoiding eye contact
- Face or neck becomes red or flushed
- False smile or changing topic by trying to cover the embarrassment
Surprise
This occurs when things happen that were not expected
· Widening of the eyes
· Mouth open wide
· Maybe a backward step
· Raised eye brows
Body Language
Pulling the collar
Ever noticed someone pulling their collar shirt when under pressure? You could say they were “getting hot under the collar”. Well, this is because it’s true!
Noted psychologist Desmond Morris discovered that the telling of a lie caused a tingling sensation in the sensitive neck and facial tissues and scratching or rubbing was required to satisfy this tingling.
This seems to be a reasonable solution as to why people may pull their collar when they lie and suspect that they have been caught out lying.
It’s almost like when they lie and think you know that they are lying it causes a bead of sweat around their collar and pulling the collar let’s the air in to cool the neck down.
If you notice someone using this gesture, why not ask them to repeat what they have just said! See if they squirm.
Body Language
How to tell if a person is relaxed in your company
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There are many ways to tell if someone is relaxed around you, and we are going to look at how a person in a suit or coat buttoned up would act if they were relaxed in your company.
If the jacket is unbuttoned after only short period of time of meeting each other this is a strong indication that the person is relaxed or feels comfortable in your company. Having the buttons closed in their jacket acts as a barrier. Once the buttons are opened it’s an indication they are happy to be speaking with you.
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If someone lights up a cigarette after a while then you know they are relaxed.
We often assume people sometimes smoke when they are nervous, but if you are in a meeting and someone starts to smoke then it is a clear indication to you that they have become relaxed with their surroundings.
Body Language