Understanding Body Language

From LoveToKnow Dating

Understanding body language can sometimes be difficult, complicating, and frustrating. What someone says may be completely different from how he or she acts. You may become even more bothered by the incongruence between speech and behavior when you are trying to figure out if the person feels the same way about you as you do about him or her.

What is Body Language?

Body language is a nonverbal form of communication, displayed by facial expressions, stances, and gestures. This communication serves to reinforce what someone says and express excitement or disappointment about something. Expressions can sometimes be involuntary; many people have a difficult time hiding their true feelings about a specific topic, no matter how hard they try. Alternatively, others can control their expressions making it hard to decipher how they really feel.

Understanding Body Language in Females and Males

Body language between the sexes differs slightly in certain situations. These gender differences are usually due to the roles society places on males and females. Here are a couple of common differences in body language between men and women.

Having a bad day

When a female has a bad day, she will usually want to talk about it and sometimes shows her frustrations through crying. Society teaches men crying is not manly so men will channel their anger through sports, exercise, or other physical activities.

Comforting a friend

When a woman is talking to a female friend about something upsetting, she will usually touch her friend's arm, hand, or shoulder to show comfort. Many men who talk to a male friend will not show this same type of comfort. Many men will feel uncomfortable, avoid eye contact, and increase personal space between him and his friend.

Speaking with others

Men's facial expressions are usually neutral and do not express comfort when speaking with others. Women's facial expressions are flexible and change as the conversation changes. Women will bend their body towards a speaker while a man will move his head to the side when listening.

The Similarities in Body Language

Love

Women and men show their affection similarly in personal space, touching, and eye contact. When two people like each other they create less personal space between each other. They also touch each other much more on the hand, arm, shoulder or hugging. Eye contact increases in individuals who are attracted to each other and they smile more when in each other's company.

Defensive

When both sexes are defensive, some of the similarities in body language include folding their arms in front of their chest, standing straight up versus in a relaxed stance, and creating a greater distance in personal space.

Excitement

Men and women will use their hands and arms more while talking to show their excitement about what they are saying. They will also raise their eyebrows more often and smile.

Confidence

When a man or woman is confident, he or she tends to stand up straight. This person will smile when introduced to others. The person's arms are usually down by his or her sides rather than crossed at the chest.

Individuals Differences in Body Language

When trying to understand body language, it is important to realize individual differences do make a difference. Some people may not react the same to particular events, which will cause them to have a different type of body language. Cultural differences can also make understanding people's body language difficult. Different cultures have different styles of body language. For example, in some parts of the world the hand gesture for hello is offensive. Miscommunication can occur if someone does not take into account these differences.

Ask for Clarification

Sometimes the easiest way to understand how someone really feels is directly asking him or her. Miscommunication is common when body language is misconstrued. Take some time and discuss your concerns with the person, it will help your relationship and make future interactions much easier and pleasant.

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