The face... One of the most variable and perplexing parts of the body. I admit I struggle with reading it, and it can be a great tool for deception. Nonetheless, this chapter gives some useful tips on how to detect those facial behaviors that are not quite as easy to control..
One of the things I did not expect to find out was that averting the eyes doesn't necessarily indicate deception or discomfort. I often used to wonder about this in conversing with my friends who would let their eyes wander here and there, but according to Navarro, this is a sign of comfort, that the person feels no imminent threat from the other sitting across the table. Eye aversion can also be used to clarify a thought. However, it is specified that roving eyes during an interview (and probably on a date) leave a bad first impression. I would also have to argue that eye aversion during an important conversation is exceedingly rude, and it should not be assumed that the other person has understood what was just said.
There is also a lot to be gleaned from the motions of the mouth, the thinning of the lips, the sticking out of the tongue... My favorite was the lip purse, an indicator that a person internally disagrees. Being aware of this may certainly be useful whenever I make a presentation/pitch in the distant future.
Finally, I was fascinated by the observation that wrinkles in old age may indicate the type of life the person has led: laugh lines indicate happiness, whereas a wrinkled forehead can indicate a life of deep discomfort. This really brings to the forefront the ways that one's attitude toward the world can shape one's life and body.
There is a lot more information in this 40-page chapter on how to read the face, much of which ties in with pacifying behaviors and defensive displays already discussed with other body parts. For more information, check out the book.
One of the things I did not expect to find out was that averting the eyes doesn't necessarily indicate deception or discomfort. I often used to wonder about this in conversing with my friends who would let their eyes wander here and there, but according to Navarro, this is a sign of comfort, that the person feels no imminent threat from the other sitting across the table. Eye aversion can also be used to clarify a thought. However, it is specified that roving eyes during an interview (and probably on a date) leave a bad first impression. I would also have to argue that eye aversion during an important conversation is exceedingly rude, and it should not be assumed that the other person has understood what was just said.
There is also a lot to be gleaned from the motions of the mouth, the thinning of the lips, the sticking out of the tongue... My favorite was the lip purse, an indicator that a person internally disagrees. Being aware of this may certainly be useful whenever I make a presentation/pitch in the distant future.
Finally, I was fascinated by the observation that wrinkles in old age may indicate the type of life the person has led: laugh lines indicate happiness, whereas a wrinkled forehead can indicate a life of deep discomfort. This really brings to the forefront the ways that one's attitude toward the world can shape one's life and body.
There is a lot more information in this 40-page chapter on how to read the face, much of which ties in with pacifying behaviors and defensive displays already discussed with other body parts. For more information, check out the book.
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