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Does anyone here know how to read body language. Twice in the last year I have had two men who were sitting down in a group forum, bend over in their chair to tell me something. They were not trying to whisper, but they wanted to make a point. They in fact invaded my space. This was not sexual, but both were retired teachers, and it felt like they were trying to dominate me, shut me down. I am curious to what others think.
Oh Yeah...body language shows the truth...it's easier to understand than words.
What you felt they were doing was probably right on!!!!
That's why I can never understand someone who says they have a online relationship with someone they've never met....really? how can one see what the other is TRULY feeling when they can't even see the body language thats going on.
There are books and websites to help you learn to do this. Just remember, that you also have to listen to what people say. Sometimes the "typical" body language signs are not what you might think. People are so different, and come from such different family cultures.
But you should be able to find plenty of material to learn from.
Mattie Jo....I think you read these retired teachers body language correctly.
Watching people as they speak makes it easier and easier to interpret body language.
Trust your interpretations...better than a book...you are there, you will know...it's like you can feel what people are really thinking no matter what words they are saying.
Does anyone here know how to read body language. Twice in the last year I have had two men who were sitting down in a group forum, bend over in their chair to tell me something. They were not trying to whisper, but they wanted to make a point. They in fact invaded my space. This was not sexual, but both were retired teachers, and it felt like they were trying to dominate me, shut me down. I am curious to what others think.
Everyone's sense of personal space is different so there is always the possibility that you feel more threatened by someone "leaning in" than others would.
On the other hand, consciously or not, "leaning in" is assertive, even aggressive, and is more likely to reflect some level of challenge than not. Some people just want to make sure you're listening, or just want to project earnestness or empathy, like the way touchy-feely people will touch you on the arm frequently in such discussions. I'm sure something like that would usually be the rationalization if you asked them about it. But honestly if you think they are being challenging or invasive, they probably are, and I would only doubt myself if I knew that I was easily intimidated and had a larger than average personal "privacy zone" to protect.
Unfortunately in group dynamics in my experience most people want to avoid conflict and "make nice" and cut slack and so BS tactics go unchallenged. If you challenge them, you end up doing so alone while other people look off into space and whistle to themselves, metaphorically speaking, and they you just end up looking like you're thin-skinned, cranky, or just an out and out douchebag. So there's little percentage in overt pushback. Try to sit further from these people when you can, consider the strategy of reflecting their "lean-in" back on them by leaning toward them when they lean toward you, etc., but mostly I find that it's just best overall to ignore it. YMMV.
Does anyone here know how to read body language. Twice in the last year I have had two men who were sitting down in a group forum, bend over in their chair to tell me something. They were not trying to whisper, but they wanted to make a point. They in fact invaded my space. This was not sexual, but both were retired teachers, and it felt like they were trying to dominate me, shut me down. I am curious to what others think.
I think if you felt they were trying to dominate you, you were probably right. Decide how you want to react if faced with this type of thing in the future.
I rely more on body language because these days, you can't really take what a person says at face value.
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