Understanding male body language can help you develop deeper, more productive personal and professional relationships with the men in your life. The majority of human communication is nonverbal, so being able to read a man's body language cues can give you clues into what he's thinking and feeling but not saying.
Types
The position of a man's body can help you determine whether he is engaged in the conversation or if his mind is elsewhere. A man's eyes often reveal his true thoughts and can even give you hints that he may not be telling the truth. The way a man touches another person or responds to touch, particularly with a romantic partner, often reveals his true feelings about the relationship.
Features
Eye contact is a sign of respect and interest. If a man does not maintain eye contact with you, he may be more interested in other things or he may not be telling the truth. According to "Cosmopolitan," a man who looks up and to the left may not be telling the truth, while looking up and to the right suggests he is trying to remember something. A man who positions his upper body toward you is likely interested in you even if he is looking away, since men tend to turn their torsos toward the most important thing in the room. A man who leans toward you is interested, while sitting back with his toes pointed in can give you a clue that he's feeling unsure or insecure.
Time Frame
Paying attention to the timing of nonverbal gestures can help you determine their underlying meaning and significance. Eye contact and light touching during intimate moments, such as a private date or while lying in bed together, show that he feels a mental and emotional connection. A man who shies away from touches in bed or while out in public together may not be interested in a serious relationship. A man who averts his eyes during a serious conversation may be trying to hide his true feelings.
Significance
One of the biggest reasons body language is so important is that it is usually subconscious. Men typically do not consciously decide how to position their bodies or where to focus their eyes, but they may carefully choose their words. The nonverbal communication that comes naturally can help you determine the true intent of his message. If his body language repeats, complements or accents his message, you can be sure he means what he's saying. If his body language acts as a substitute for what he isn't saying, think about why he isn't expressing his message verbally. It could be that he is afraid of rejection or that he isn't even aware enough of how he feels to be able to put it into words. Body language that contradicts verbal messages may reveal that he isn't being completely honest or that he is nervous about stating his true thoughts.
Considerations
A man's body language is not the only thing that reveals what's on his mind, nor is it completely definable. Different people use different gestures, and his body language may even be a mirror reflection of yours. If you pick up on important clues from his body language regarding the nature of your relationship and the underlying emotions, try gently approaching him about his feelings. While some men are hesitant to talk about deep emotions, opening the doors for healthy communication can help you both express yourselves, so you don't have to second-guess the meaning of his body language.
Member Comments