This is a long video, nearly 15 minutes. But it is worth it.
Ever wondered what the real interpretation of body language is like? Learn from a former FBI agent whose job it was to catch spies.
If you’ve ever used any of the tropes he debunks in the first three minutes in your writing, you might want to revise your material.
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Thanks for sharing. That’s so interesting! I need to look through my manuscript and check my character’s actions…and pay attention to my own!
Have a blessed and fun Friday!
What a great help in expressing the emotional behavior of our characters. My son loaned me his book, “What Every Body Is Saying,” a few months ago and I have used it throughout my novel. Thanks for sharing Steve!
What an interesting video. It was definitely worth the investment of time. Thanks for sharing it, Steve.
Thank you so much! What a great resource.
I also found Navarro’s book What Every Body Is Saying to be illuminating. Regarding deception and where a person looks, I’ve found it is individualized. When we get to know a person, we might find that she or he looks down and to the left when remembering, up and to the left when concocting a story, or other variations. These tells are often consistent and useful once you know the person but lack validity on first acquaintance, as he says.
Great video, Steve, thanks.
This is one of the most informative Fun Fridays you’ve posted since I’ve been reading them. Thanks for this valuable information. I’m headed to my blog now to revise some things I just posted.
I had always thought that when somebody placed their arms across their chest it meant they were putting a wall between themselves and the other person, now I know it means they are giving themselves a hug. Who knew?
About the crossing-arms-over-chest thing: I catch myself doing it when I’m in a chilly room and need to warm up a bit. Then I think people will assume I’m in a defensive position, so I uncross my arms. :0
LOL imagine all the chilly FBI interrogation rooms, the blood draining from your extremities, nervous and freezing!
Me? Guilty in 10 seconds or less. I’m nervous in my sleep!
that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
Fascinating! In one of his books he mentions that he came to America from Cuba as a child and discovered that he could understand people through body language when he could not understand their verbal language.
Paying attention to body language can so help introverts. 🙂
“Great information. Lots of good ideas for the next book,” she said as she leaned forward on the edge of her chair, hands poised above the keyboard and a look of intense concentration etched in her eyes.
Just in case. I am working on normal behavior.
When I thought of what I saw in the video, I immediately became aware of my eyes rolling up to the left before my focus returned to my computer screen.
Head to toe body language- what a useful tool to show and not tell.
Thank you for sharing!
Maybe this is why some people stare at you longer than they should. They’re not creeps, they’re just contemplating your non-verbals.