The Different Types Of Gestures

We are going to talk more about the different types of gestures and body movements that people use to communicate, so that you can you can learn to interpret them better.

Consciously or unconsciously, as humans we all send and receive messages through body language. It is virtually impossible for us to not to use our bodies when we interact with each other.

There are several gestures that people use in different specific situations. For instance; at work, during a job interview, a dinner date, or even in a casual conversation. The eyes, arms, and hands are the body parts most frequently used to communicate, even unconsciously.

Eye contact is the strongest form of body language that we use. As small as they are the eyes carry big meanings and indications behind them. With your eyes you can let someone know that you are interested, sincere, and attentive.

As we discussed in the first lesson the lack of eye contact and inability to prolong it may mean that a person is lying, hiding something, or that they are becoming bored or uninterested.

Did you know that our eyes naturally perform scans when we see something new?

This is especially true when we meet a new person. We use our eyes to check out the appearance of another by looking first, in the eyes, then down and back up to the eyes again. This is a typical response when people first meet. It allows us to gain our first impression of someone new and we do it automatically.

Your eyes can easily express different feelings that you are having. They can also help you determine what someone else is feeling and what their current state of mind is. But you have to be careful not to misinterpret what people are saying to you.

For instance, the act of winking can be a signal of agreement or a sign of flirtation. While glancing often means a moment of desire.

On the other hand if a persons eyes widen quickly, it is a signal of shock, surprise, or disbelief.

When someone squints at what you are saying, it can mean that they are analyzing what you have to say or that they are trying to determine weather or not you are telling the truth.

These our just a few of the things that the eyes can tell us. Our eyes can clearly express what we feel or desire at any time and the ability to understand what people are telling you with their eyes can help you in more ways than one.

Now let's talk about what our arms have to do with our communications skills.

Did you know that standing or sitting with arms crossed across the chest is one of the most powerful and basic gestures used by everyone?

People can literally form a barrier between themselves and another person just by crossing their arms.

When you are talking to someone and they cross their arms, most of the time it means that they oppose, suspect, or doubt what you are saying.

But, if they are talking to you with their arms crossed, it could mean that they are nervous, lying, or hiding something from you. On the other hand it may simply mean that he or she feels cold!

This body language thing can be tricky!

That is why it's important to consider all of the postures, movements and gestures when you are trying to read someone else's body language.

Along with our arms, our hands also have a lot to say.

In lesson one we briefly talked about open palms and that if some one talks to you with their palms facing up they are often expressing sincerity and honesty. This can also mean that they are comfortable with you and that they are interested in what you have to say.

On the other hand (no pun intended) a clenched fist is a very clear indication of frustration, anger, resistance, and defense. But there are times where a clenched fist could indicate that they have confidence in their idea or opinion.

I told you this stuff is tricky!

Did your mother ever tell you to get your hands out of your pockets when you were little?

That's because the pockets are never the right place to put your hands. Especially when you are engaged in a conversation with another person.

If you are speaking to a person with his hands in his pockets it may indicate that he is nervous, uncomfortable, bored, or uninterested. This gesture can also indicate that he may be hiding something from you or that he doesn't want to engage in a specific activity or task.

Our hands can make several gestures, each with a difference in meaning. We can express just about anything through them. For instance if you want to let another person know that you are interested in them or in the conversation, your hands can emphasize that for you.

If you want to let someone know that you aren't interested your hands can express that for you too.

Weather we know it or not we all use our eyes, arms, hands legs, head, and our body posture to communicate with each other. That is why learning how to read body language is such an important skill to have. We are all born with a basic instinct when it comes to body language interpretation, but just like anything else in life we have to hone that skill.

Because a persons actions definitely have more honesty compared to the words coming out from his mouth.