Read Body Language: 101 for Free Online

groin. This is a defensive posture which signals anxiety.
    - Don’t fidget. Crossing and uncrossing your legs, cracking knuckles, wringing hands indicate nervousness.
    - Don’t scowl. This puts people off and shuts you out from any possible conversation.

Chapter 4: The Different Body Languages
    We have established that body language is a powerful method of communication. We have also established that body language is not universal to be read and interpreted as one throughout the world. Besides the basics, there are factors that change the interpretation of body language. What are those factors?
    Among the key factors that could change the meaning of body language are gender, culture and age. Let us have a look at these difference and find out how these factors can influence body language reading.
The Gender (Body) Language
    You would have heard of the book, “ Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus ” by John Gray where the author explains how women and men are genetically programmed differently. Hence, their reaction, understanding, emoting ability and ability to respond in a relationship are different.
    “Different” here does not mean “bad”; it just means different. In other words, both could be looking at the same thing, but come to totally different conclusions – and both would be correct. Knowing to identify these differences would help read accurately their body language, and save precious time and effort.
Body Language for Her
    Women, as per research studies, are far better at reading and interpreting body language than men. This is why women are known to be “intuitive” in their approach – particularly because they can read with much more accuracy an individual’s body language.
    How do they differ in body language?
Facial Expressions
    Women use facial expression the most in transmitting what they want and when they want. You would see many women who can literally “talk” with their eyes. Their children would know the “eye language” and even pets would obey the “eye commands”. This is because women are emotional beings, interpreting most things through emotions and feelings.
    You can read a woman’s face quickly and easily – because she lets you. However, if she chooses that you do not read anything, you may not and cannot. Women can put a mask and go through official and social events without allowing anything to be betrayed on their face.
    In day to day life however, women have a tougher time to hide their feelings from spilling out on their face then men.
Proximity
    Women prefer a side-to-side approach rather than the men’s face to face approach. This is because with the side-by-side allows more intimacy and warmth. Women are very comfortable with proximity to their body. When women are happy or anxious or sad - or everything in between - they feel the need to touch. Touching, hugging, crying – are some of the ways women use to cope.
    Generally, women are okay with people in close proximity and are not scared or feel threated by it.
Touching
    Women consider touching as expression of friendship and empathy/sympathy. This is why they almost always welcome it. It comes easy to women to touch and rarely think twice about a pat on the back, a hug or a peck on the cheek.
Body Language for Him
    Men are not very subtle with their body language and do not understand why this is necessary. Most men think that actions speak louder than any language – and hence, if you want to prove a point, then you should just go ahead and do it. At the same time it is important to understand that their body language differs quite some from their counterparts.
Facial Expression
    It is not easy for men to emote as women do. Neither is it a matter of pride that anyone can read a man’s face. Hence, men by default pull within themselves and do not show they are ruffled or worried about anything. Their faces do show various expressions, but they are often inscrutable.
    Men hide their feelings