A Guide to Body Language

Well hello there. I'm Molly Hooper and during my time working in St. Bart's morgue I've picked up a few little facts on how people use their bodies to communicate to others. Sometimes they don't even know they're doing it, which is quite funny to watch if you know what it means. Don't be afraid to submit any of your own discoveries - I love learning new things!

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Sorry for not posting for a while, lovelies! I've been a bit busy... Anyway, here's something for you all.

Sitting opposite someone, especially during an interview, creates a feeling of confrontation. Sitting opposite someone across a table or desk adds to this feeling and especially if someone (i.e an interviewee) is sitting in a less expensive, lower chair across the desk. This emphasises the overall authority of the boss and adds to the feeling of confrontation instead of trying to get rid of it. All in all, the chair across the table thing isn't a very successful way to set up an interview room at all!

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

I forgot what it means when people have tight lipped smiles. Is it that (I heard it from a certain source) they have some sort of secrets that they're trying to hide or is it out of politeness?

You’re correct, Anon! If the smile is tight across the face it sends a message that the person has a secret, that they think you’re a bit stupid or they’re dealing with you only because they have to.They’re also probably withholding an opinion or attitude from you.

This smile type is a favorite among women, for example when two women are interacting and one gives a tight-lipped smile, it’s normally interpreted as the other wanting to stop the conversation!

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Just a quick note about no. 32 - the same could apply for Irish dancing. The difference between Irish and ballet is that in ballet, your feet ideally are at 180° from each other, while in Irish, though it will vary, it's more of a 120° - 150° angle. Another habit common to Irish dancers is having the right foot pointed out in front, slightly rolled to one side, so that when looked at from the front, it covers the 'back' leg. On another note, I really like the blog - keep up the good work!

Thank you!

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

This is for people asking different things about how to look more confident with their hands. This is definitely something you shouldn't do. You want to look confident, not afraid.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Hello! I'm another guide, sort of. Love your stuff! Bloody brilliant! I'm sort of new and I really love this stuff! L.N.S

Thank you! Check out this blog, guys. It's really good. 

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

It is a way to make people think you're holding eye contact when you're really not.

[submitted by teastainedcpt]

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Hey Molly, I send in an ask before and I've just been wondering; since this is a pretty popular blog (and deservingly so), how many asks do you get per day and how often do you reply? Thanks. xx

I currently have 57 asks in my inbox with a few submission questions in there. I answer multiple ones at a time (when I get a few minutes here or there) and place them in a queue. I also sometimes answer asks privately if they are topics that others may be uncomfortable with and the person is off anon.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

What does it mean when someone puts their index finger under their nose while talking?

This is a comfort pose and something that people use whilst thinking as well.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

i have a good friend. my family has taken him under our wing. we do practically everything together, but there's something that deeply concerns me. 'those who are funniest are the most depressed'. he's the most hilarious, most cheerful person i know, and only ~once have i seen him otherwise. yet, we know for a fact he's been abused by both his parents (who are divorced). he even confessed that before us, he contemplated suicide. i don't understand why he doesn't express sadness. can you help?

He probably doesn't express his sadness because he feels that your family make him forget about his sadness. He may also not want to remember anything about his past, so tries to be a new him. I've seen people do this a lot.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

If someone has changed their behaviour than the usual bubbly laughing personality does it mean something is wrong or they're just changing?

The best thing I could suggest you do would be to talk to them if you're friendly and see if anything is wrong. If there isn't they may just be feeling like a change.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

There's this this person who whenever I talk to them, tugs at their shirt, even though it's loose, and constantly clears their throat. Am I freaking them out? They don't do it with anyone else and I'm beginning to worry that people think I'm too assertive D:

It's probably something to do with the person's own confidence. If you are assertive they may be slightly intimidated so try to tone it down a little for them and see if it reduces or ceases these symptoms!

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

I tend to stand with my feet on their sides, the bottoms facing each other. I was wondering if this meant anything, if so what? Sherlock at A Guide to Deduction said that it's just a habit, but I wanted a second opinion. Thanks in advance!

If it's just something you tend to do and you can stand other ways without pain or the like, Sherlock was right. It can be picked up as a habit. Often just out of comfort, too.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Hello Molly, i was wondering what does it mean when an adult who's sitting stare at someone, from a distance with one unique expression. The body posture is quite rigid but calm and a bit non-chalant at the same time. Also the chin is slightly high. Once this person is caught of guard by the boy or the girl (sensed the stare, i suppose), this person in question seems surprised and looks immediately at something else or does something else. (my bad if my english is not perfect, i'm not a native)

Your english is fine, anon!

It seems as if the person you are describing observes others and may be judging them. They look shocked or surprised because they feel as if they have been caught by the other person because well, they have been caught. Starting is often considered rude, so maybe they're trying to project the sense of being well mannered?

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

This has been the first submission in a while, and my first post in a while so I decided I would change the font of my posts a little to freshen things up. I will name the font [bernard mt condensed] purely for my own benefit. 

Molly xx

[submitted by: onceuponamyth]

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Dear Molly, there is a guy I like that always acts super affectionate towards me. Throwing his arm around my shoulders, cuddling me if we're about to sleep. Enough actions that some of our friends think we're dating. But when I talk to him he swears he's done with dating. Am I reading signals that aren't there? Or is he trying to confuse me?

He could just be a genuinely friendly person who loves coming in contact with another person. You two also sound pretty close, so maybe he's telling you that he's completely comfortable around you? Talk to him about it and see what he says; you'll never know unless you ask him.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Why would a person kiss you with their eyes open? Then watch everything you did after with an intense stare

It could mean that your partner wants to see who they're kissing. [Maybe they're doubly turned on because their visual sense is getting stimulation?] Or they could feel something a alluring about trying things differently. The rest of us could be missing out because we've been told by friends or movie stars that you're "supposed to" kiss with your eyes shut... Visual input can also be distracting, so closed eyes when kissing does allow for the fuller touch and taste sensations that give kissing its mass appeal. Why not try it with eyes open the next time you're together? The really close eye contact might be freaky at first, but there's also the potential for an even better experience. That way, you'll be trying to learn more about what makes your partner tick.

Despite what you've heard, there are no technical kissing rules. You could suck face and knit sweaters at the same time, as long as you're caring for one another in the process.

Molly xx

[aguidetobodylanguage]

Dear Molly; Have you thought about adding a tags list? So if we were looking for body language involving just one body part or one emotion it would be easier to find?

That is a brilliant idea, anon. Thank you for suggesting it. I will get onto making a navigation page now.

Molly xx