Category Archives: face

The Neck Massager

The person massages and squeezes the neck.body language The Neck Massager

Stress The person feels uncomfortable.
“I don’t like this.”

Explanation
This gesture is self-soothing. The largest nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system resides around the stimulated area. This nerve lowers the heart rate when stimulated.

Categories face, uneasy,

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Nod

The head is slightly tilted forward.body language The Nod

Disapproval The person has a critical, judgmental attitude about the other person or the current topic.
“I think nothing of it!”

or Greeting The person nods and greets with a slight bow.
“Hello!”

Explanation
How long the head is tilted and the context provide changes the meaning of this gesture: the longer the stare, the more disapproval. A critical look over the reading glasses, reminds of a teacher and may be intimidating.

Categories face,

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Nose Compactor

The fingers clench the nose’s bridge and the eyes are closed.body language The Nose Compactor

Overload The person is tired and overwhelmed by the situation.
“This is too much.”

Isolation The person shields himself/herself from the outside world.
“I need to compose myself.”

Explanation
Our brain reacts to unpleasant situations by looking away or closing eyes. By avoiding eye contact, the mind selects which information is perceived and which gets discarded. A person can recover and get back into the situation by fading out the environment.

Categories face, uneasy

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Pen Nibbler

An object, such as a pen or lens, is lead to the mouth.body language The Pen Nibbler

Hovering or Concentration The person is reflecting what best decision or solution would be.
“I am not convinced yet.”

Explanation
We create comfort by touching the mouth with items. This also applies to cigarettes. This gesture can be traced back to sucking on the mother’s chest.
Give the person more information or a different perspective to aid the decision.

Categories face,

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Sphinx

The person touches the nose with a finger.body language The Sphinx

Skepticism The person is uncertain about the matter at hand.
“I am not convinced by what I am saying or you are telling me.”

or Calming If the person is emotionally involved, he/she wants to calm himself/herself down.
“I don’t want to see or hear this.”

Explanation
If a person feels uncomfortable – e.g. when deceiving -, the breathing speed and heart rate increases. As a result, the blood vessels in the nose expand. The tingling can trigger the touch. The gesture is an indicator of discomfort – it does not proof lying!

Categories face, uneasy,

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

Eye Movements

The eyes focus in multiple imaginary triangles.body language Eye Movements

Eye Movement The view focuses either between

(A) eyes and forehead (business look)

or (B) eyes and mouth (friendly look)

or (C) eyes and chest or crotch (intimate look).

Explanation
If eyes meet for more than two thirds of the time, the other person is either interested (dilated pupils) or he/she puts out a non-verbal challenge (constricted pupil). If a person likes the other, he/she often looks back. This has the effect that the other person may realize that he/she is liked.

Categories face

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Blow

The person gently smacks the head or forehead.body language The Blow

Realization The person notices a mistake or realizes that he/she forgot something.
“Oh no, what have I done.”

Explanation
The gesture often occurs with honest people. The slight blow to the head is like a symbolic self-punishment. The blow shall re-establish order. A blow to the back of the head or very vigorous rubbing shows that the incident bothers the person.

Categories face

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Bow Back

The head is slightly tilted to the side.body language The Bow Back

Confidence and Reassurance The person wants to establish harmony.
“Let’s be friends again.”

or Interest The person is interested in the other or the conversation.
“I would like to learn more about it.”

Explanation
The neck is vulnerable. When we bow back, we show that there is no harm coming from us and we submit ourself to the other. Generally, a tilted head shows interest and may as well be a flirt signal. If the person is also bent forward, the feeling is mutual. This gesture is very low in authority.

Categories face, submissive, open

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Chin Stroker

The hand strokes the chin.body language The Chin Stroker

Insecurity The person needs time to consider the facts. He/she does not want to respond immediately.
“Let me think about this…”

or Stress The person is agitated and soothes himself/herself with this mechanical movement.
“This is too much!”

Evaluation The person thinks about the situation/decision.
“I am about to decide.”

Explanation
The intensity of the strike makes a difference. Repeated strokes with heavy pressure indicate stress; soft strokes show insecurity. Possibly, the person is faced with a decision and tries make out the right answer.

Categories face

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Eye Wiper

One or more finger rubbing over the upper or lower eyelid.body language The Eye Wiper

Discomfort The person feels uncomfortable and wants to avoid/flee the situation.
“Can we please talk about something else?”

Explanation
The person interrupts eye contact because he/she wants to avoid hearing or seeing.

Categories face, uneasy,

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Hand of Interest

The closed hand lays on the cheek.body language The Hand of Interest

Interest The person is interested in the subject. He/She appreciates the other person or the topic of conversation.
“Tell me more, I care about this topic.”

Explanation
In most cases, the interested person is sitting upright or leans slightly forward to the other person. Bending forward further, shows more interest in the conversation or the person. The person is literally sitting on the edge of the seat.

Categories face

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Head Rest

The head rests on the hand.body language The Head Rest

Disinterest or Boredom or Fatigue The head rests on the hand and the person does not follow anymore.
“I would like to do something different now.”

Explanation
This pose shows that the person has no interest in the topic (anymore). He/She does not interrupt but awaits the situation’s end. The more the head is supported, the stronger this sign is.

Categories face

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.

The Mouthguard

The fingers cover the mouthbody language The Mouthguard

Cover or Shyness The hand shall hide is socially undesirable gestures such as yawns or giggles.
“Not everyone should see this.”

Insecurity The person is not sure about what he/she says.
“I can not guarantee that this is true.”

Explanation
Covering the mouth is often used as an indicator for lies. This is mostly true for young children. When growing up, we learn to hide our uncertainty and to avoid this gesture.
Often the person feels obligated to say something, but would rather not. Then the answer is delayed.
Always remove your hand from the mouth when speaking.

Categories face,

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.