Can’t Tell if a Guy is Into You? Study His Body Language
Here’s something you may not know: up to 50 to 90% of communication is non-verbal. You can tell how a person views you before they even speak. Though words are important you may find the position of the body and the mannerisms a person uses usually speak louder than any spoken word.
Men and women differ greatly in how they do things and this can lead to confusion. What may be seen as disinterest by one part is a bright red “I like you” flag flapping in the breeze for the other. Here are some very basic body language signals to watch for interacting with potential male partners.
Eyes and Eye Contact
A man will lock eyes with a woman he is interested in getting to know. If this look is accompanied by a large smile, all the better! A man who is a bit less confident in your reaction may look at you until you meet his eyes and then he will look away. If he is interested you will feel his eyes on you again very soon.
When a man is looking at a woman he is interested in his pupils will dilate. This is perhaps that hardest sign to catch. The eyebrows rising slightly and quickly may accompany this. This sign is true for both men and women. Our pupils will dilate when we are looking at anything we like whether it be an object or person.
Men and women differ when it comes to eye contact during conversation. A man who is intently listening to what you have to say may be looking off to the side or towards the floor. Women usually take this as a sign that he is not listening when in fact he is paying close attention to you. At the same time if he is constantly looking away and watching other people, he may be showing non-interest.
A man who is trying to impress you will square his shoulders. He may subconsciously adjust his tie (if he is wearing one), suck in his stomach or touch his hair. If he is sitting he may have his legs slightly spread and his shoulders will be angled in your direction. If a man is sitting with his shoulders squarely directed at you this can be seen as an invitation to continue the conversation or that he is interested in getting to know you better. If he has crossed his legs either by resting an ankle on his knee or by crossing them at the ankles he may point his foot at you. A man who is not interested may seem to move his body away from you in an effort to get you away from his personal space.
Arms
Generally it is thought that a person with their arms crossed over their chest is “closing themselves off” to you. This may not always be the case. For men this is just quite often very comfortable, especially while sitting or leaning upon a table. If the person is standing before you with their arms crossed you may take this as a sign of disinterest but in any other case be careful how you read this one. Crossed arms can mean anything from “I’m cold” to “I wish I were wearing a more fashionable shirt right about now”. If you come across a person with their arms crossed look for tension in the pose to read more into this sign. If their shoulders are tense or they seem to be gripping their arms they may be uncomfortable and closed off.
His Most Private Parts
Men will most often draw attention to their genitals without realizing they are doing it. It is almost never a conscious thing. They may put one or both hands on their belt or belt buckle or angle the lower part of their body toward you. It’s a way of saying “I’m a virile male”. This works much in the same way a woman may fling her hair over her shoulder. Most often she is not aware she is doing anything out of the ordinary but she is in fact drawing attention to her neck and chest.
You and Your Stuff
A man who is interested may often touch you, even if just briefly. They may lay a hand on your arm lightly while making a point or to redirect your attention. They may also touch your drink glass or any personal object you may have lying on the table. You may also find that he mirrors your actions and your voice fluctuations. This is referred to as “mirroring” and is a very positive sign that he is interested.
Wrap up
Remember that it’s not just one piece of visual communication that will tell the tale for you. It’s more like a combination of many signs and signals. Try to look at the overall picture instead of just focusing on one thing. It’s not an exact science and it may take you some practice before you know how to pick up the subtle hints a man may be sending you. Also remember that you should not spend your entire evening trying to read everyone’s body language. You may appear preoccupied and introverted. Try to have fun and remember the most important piece of body language you possess, your smile.
