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The person leans back and folds his/her arms behind the head openly.
Superiority The person feels safe regarding the issue and/or superior to a person.
Im smarter than you.
Explanation
The body is open and yet the person claims territory. He/she shows distance and
emotional coldness. The gesture makes us look bigger and shows dominance.
Categories body, easy, dominant, open, territorial
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Interlock
The person crosses his/her arms and blocks the chest and stomach.
The Recliner
The body is open and leans back relaxed.
Everything is fine.
Explanation
An open posture makes us vulnerable. We open ourselves, if we have nothing to fear
and we feel self-assured.
Categories body, easy, open
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Sphinx
The person touches the nose with a finger.
OK Sign
Thumb and index finger touch, while the other three fingers are spread apart.
The person opens arms, such that palms and fingers are visible.
Openness and Honesty The person wants to show that he/she can be trusted.
Look, I have nothing to hide.
Explanation
Many people find it difficult to lie when showing their palms. The gesture exposes
vulnerable parts of the body. Thus, it shows trust in the other person. For example, a
legal defender would make his/her palms visible in the courtroom. Use this gesture in
presentations and sales.
Caution: This does not apply if the shoulders are pulled up.
Categories arms/hands, open
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
During the handshake, the left hand touches the others hand, wrist or forearm.
The Scribbler
Boredom The person has no interest in the current topic or has tuned out completely.
I would like to do something else now.
Explanation
Change the subject or end the conversation. Sometimes it is just fatigue that prevents
us from attentive listening. Research found that mechanical acts such as scribbling, help
us focus.
Categories arms/hands
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Interlock
The person crosses his/her arms and blocks the chest and stomach.
Distance and Defense The person has a distant attitude towards a person or
situation.
You cant expect me to believe that.
Restraint The person listens to the matter, but is not yet ready to act.
Well see how things develop.
Explanation
We protect our bodies from danger by building a shield. This self-hug soothes and
prevents us from acting rash. If hands or fists are clenched, they reinforce the defensive
meaning.
Caution: Crossed arms are not always a defensive reaction. Depending on the situation,
they can be relaxing or caused by cold. If the hands are eased, it is only a soft barrier.
If the hands are tense, it shows the greater displeasure.
Categories body, uneasy,
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The hand touches the upper chest, the jugular or the neck.
Spaces
The Palm
The Escort
The Seesaw
The Laydown
The Adjuster
The Patrolman
Authority and Self-assurance The person walks through his/her terrain fearlessly.
Nothing can harm me.
Distance The person monitors the situation, but does not want physical contact with
the other usually subordinate persons.
Please do not touch me.
Explanation
This gesture is found with high-level personal, such as high-ranking police officers,
military personnel or bosses. They pace out their territory and inspect. The vulnerable
front demonstrates that the person has no fear. The hands on the back offer little
opportunity to engage in physical contact with them.
Categories arms/hands, easy, , territorial
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
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 Self-Hug
The arms are folded, while the hands embrace the body and the thumbs point upwards.
Defense and Self-confidence The person feels secure in what he/she does and does
not allow arguments to come near him/her.
Dont even try to attack what I am saying.
Explanation
This ambiguous signal shows a negative attitude. The thumbs show dominance. Give
the person something for the hands or walk with him/her. This may relax the situation.
Categories arms/hands,
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The person crosses the legs while the rest of the body is tense and/or the arms are
folded.
Defense and Protection The person feels insecure.
I feel backed into a corner.
Explanation
If a person suddenly crosses his/her legs or wraps them around a chair, the person feels
uncomfortable. This closed posture shows the need for protection and support. This
pose is often accompanied by the hands pressing on his/her knees or holding on to a
chair. Give the person something in his/her hand or put them in motion, so that they can
relax.
Categories legs/feet, uneasy
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Wrist
The Armshake
During the handshake, the left hand touches the others elbow, forearm or shoulder.
Agreement and Sympathy The person has a positive attitude towards the other.
He/She likes what the other says.
I like to listen to you.
Explanation
We lean towards people and things we like. If the other mirrors this behavior, it shows
harmony. The opposite occurs when we dislike someone or have little interest in
something.
Categories body, easy, open
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Shrug
The person crosses legs relaxedly. One shoe may be tilted upwards.
Thumbs Up
The Barrier
The Plucker
The Four
One leg crosses the other. The ankle lies on the thigh.
Self-confidence The person feels safe and challenges the other or arguments against
the others point.
Lets see who has the better arguments!
Explanation
The gesture challenges the other. Sometimes one or two hands grab the crossed leg.
The gesture mixes self-confidence with dominance and relaxation. In Asia and Arabia,
showing the shoe sole is considered rude.
Categories legs/feet, easy, dominant
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Sphinx
The caller interrupts eye contact and removes real or imaginary lint.
Rejection and Reservation The person does not like what he/she hears or thinks that
there is no place for his/her point of view. Alternatively, he/she dismisses an argument
figuratively.
I dont want to hear this.
Explanation
The lint picker is found when a person does not agree with the other person. The person
holds back expressing his/her opinion. Encourage the person to say what he/she thinks.
Categories arms/hands
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
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 Pointer
The Sprinter
The person leans forward while sitting. One leg is pulled back and the hands rest on the
The Mirror
Harmony People have the same opinion and want to reach an agreement.
We are on the same page.
Explanation
When mirroring, there is a dominant person who leads and a person that follows. Both
synchronize their movements. Subconsciously, trust is created among the two, because
the other is as I am. The opposite is the case if the body language differs greatly.
Categories body, easy, open
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
Most of the weight is resting on one leg, while the other foot points in one direction.
Disinterest The person is not interested in the other person if the foot is turned away.
I would like go over there.
Attraction The person interested in the other person, if the foot points there (not
shown).
I find you attractive.
Interest The person is curious about the topic, if the foot points towards the
conversation partner (not shown).
I would like to learn more about it.
Explanation
The foot shows the direction, we find interesting. This can be toward or away from a
person. In the second case (as depicted), the other person should end the conversation.
The foot can also point towards the sky, e.g. during a phone call. This may indicate a
good mood.
Categories legs/feet
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Standby
The person leans forward while seated. One leg is pulled back and one hand rests on
the thigh.
Preparedness The person has a positive attitude and wants to move on.
Where can I sign?
Explanation
The position indicates that we are ready to go. Sales men should pay attention to this
sign before they ask for a decision. If this gesture is accompanied by stroking the chin
(decision-making), we are ready for the next step.
Categories body
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Mouthguard
The Handrub
The Stretch
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 Prayer
The hands are folded and pressed against the body.
Self-confidence The person is confident and has no intention to change his/her mind.
This is where I stand and I will not move!
Anger or Concern The negative feelings are compensated by strong embracing
oneself.
This can not be happening!
or Restraint The person is still assessing the situation and holds back to avoid rash
actions.
Well see how things will develop.
Explanation
There are three different positions: hands in front of the face, hands placed on the table
or hands in front of the crotch. The higher the hands are held, the stronger the signal.
Give the person something in his/her hand or bring him/her to do something else.
Categories arms/hands,
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Handshake
The Tap
The fingers drum on a table or the persons body.
The Nod
The Clinger
The Recliner
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 situations 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 .
Eye Movements
The eyes focus in multiple imaginary triangles.
The fingers clench the noses bridge and the eyes are closed.
The Cowboy
The Roof
The finger tips touch and the hands and form a triangle.
Self-confidence and Sovereignty The person is convinced of what he/she says and
does.
The situation is as follows
Interest The person listens closely, yet preserves a professional distance.
Your statements are very well thought out.
Explanation
There are two forms of the Roof. If the fingers point upwards, the person is probably
speaking. If they are pointing downwards the person is listening. Women often use the
gesture around the waist level. Body language trainers recommended this pose to
people who have trouble positioning their hands. German Chancellor Angela Merkel
often poses like this in photos.
Categories arms/hands, easy
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The hands touch the hip, while all fingers are visible in the front.
Dominance and Aggression The person has no fear and claims authority.
This is my turf!
Explanation
This posture makes the person appear wider. It comes across as aggressive and should
only be used rarely. Yet, the gesture emphasizes authority. If the fingers and thumbs
point downwards, the meaning is weakened.
Categories body, dominant, territorial
This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer .
The Turtle
Insecurity and Fear The person has little self-confidence and does not want to attract
attention.
Please let me disappear now.
Explanation
We make ourselves small, avoid eye contact and limit our movements to a minimum, if
we want to appear invisible. The head is protected by this shrunk posture. This gesture
appears mostly with people who have low self-esteem. For example, shoplifters or illprepared speakers exhibit this body language.
Categories body, uneasy, submissive,