Is it odd that this chapter confirms a lot of past paranoia? Take all those high school dances, for instance, when I'd start dancing with someone, then their friends would join, then they'd turn their torsos inward to form a circle that I was not meant to re-enter. Ah, those were the days...
The torso seems like the most easily readable part of the body discussed so far. If it leans away. it it turns away, if it's covered, if it's puffed or pulsing, the other person is probably uncomfortable. If he or she is doing all of the above, well, you may want to seek an exorcist. Still, this fascinates me. Like the turtle, the porcupine, or the cane toad, great care must be taken to protect that vulnerable underside from harm. There are barriers to be placed or removed to indicate a person's level of comfort in a given situation, and fortunately, these barriers, like arms crossed or a whole ton of clothing, are easy to see in civil conversation.
Since the beginning of the book, I've started to notice mirroring more when I'm in a conversation with someone else. Foot brushing has become clearer, eye contact/aversion as well. What I wish would be discussed in this or a later book, however, is how to go about addressing perceived signs of discomfort. When someone is leaning away with arms crossed, what then? How does one diffuse the bomb? It's entirely possible that this will be discussed in a future chapter, so I'll wait and see.
The torso seems like the most easily readable part of the body discussed so far. If it leans away. it it turns away, if it's covered, if it's puffed or pulsing, the other person is probably uncomfortable. If he or she is doing all of the above, well, you may want to seek an exorcist. Still, this fascinates me. Like the turtle, the porcupine, or the cane toad, great care must be taken to protect that vulnerable underside from harm. There are barriers to be placed or removed to indicate a person's level of comfort in a given situation, and fortunately, these barriers, like arms crossed or a whole ton of clothing, are easy to see in civil conversation.
Since the beginning of the book, I've started to notice mirroring more when I'm in a conversation with someone else. Foot brushing has become clearer, eye contact/aversion as well. What I wish would be discussed in this or a later book, however, is how to go about addressing perceived signs of discomfort. When someone is leaning away with arms crossed, what then? How does one diffuse the bomb? It's entirely possible that this will be discussed in a future chapter, so I'll wait and see.
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