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How to Read People and Decode 5 Body Language Cues

May 29, 2023 · Expert Tips
Body Language
Photo by Jacob Lund at Shutterstock

Physical Movements

People tend to express their feelings through movements more than they do through words. For instance, experts in body language say that we usually lean toward those we like and away from people we don’t.

Experts say that if someone’s leaning in, they have their hands out and open and palms facing up, that’s a good sign that they’re vibing with you. If you’ve observed that a person is leaning away, they’re probably trying to put up a wall.

Another movement to watch for is the crossing of someone’s arms or legs. If you see them doing this, it indicates anger, defensiveness, or self-protection.

If someone’s leaning towards you and suddenly crosses their arms after you say something, you probably said something that the person didn’t like. On another note, if someone’s hiding their hands, it means they’re hiding something.

And if you see them cuticle picking or lip biting, they’re trying to soothe themselves amid awkward situations.

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