How to Read People in Seconds Through Body Language, Fashion and Hidden Signals

Our behaviors, manners and body language tell a lot about who we are, and what we have in mind. Paying attention to these attributes can enable us to read other people's personality, and intentions. Beside body language, intonation, choice of fashion and other social behaviors are also things to consider when trying to read someone. Yes, every gesture, expression, and choice we make tells a story about us. There is no doubt that some people know how to pretend, but no level of pretense can keep their secrets for too long if you study ways to read people's intentions.

Mastering the art of reading people in seconds can help you understand them better, build stronger relationship, or protect yourself from hidden motives.

Below are simple ways to read someone in seconds:

1. Eye contact

Eye contact is one of the body languages that can pass a strong message about someone thereby helping in reading someone's intention, personality and intent.

Steady eye contact shows confidence, honesty or that the individual is trying to create a connection. If someone avoids direct eye contact during conversation, it could mean that the person is lying, nervous, shy, hiding something or uncomfortable with the discussion or the individuals involved. Meanwhile, someone staring for a long time during a conversation can mean that the person is trying to exert dominance. Scanning though the space where there are many people is a sign that the individual is searching for someone.

Prolonged staring (especially when the individual hardens the eye and dilate the pupils) can be a sign of aggression or anger. Someone that hates or have bad intention about you would stare at you angrily and turns away the eyes when you almost realize they were looking at you. Soft and calm starring communicates love, romance or admiration, especially when it comes with smile.

2. Facial expression

Facial expression as a body language is important when dealing with people because it carries a lot of information about them. The face communicates a bigger message and passes information about someone than words. Even during conversation, words can say the opposite of the intention, it is the facial expression that can communicate the truth. For instance, someone that is happy would laugh. Smile signals warmth and positivity, while frowning is a sign of anger and disapproval. Also, someone switching between smile and frowning could mean there is something the person is hiding. You can also know if someone was brought up by rich parents and living happily through the face. Facial features can tell the story of the past about that individual, whether he/she has history of suffering and hardship, or sufficiency and happiness.

3. Speaking style or intonation

A calm, steady and deeper voice show that the individual is confident. It can also mean that the speaker is trying to be in control or dominate others. Shaky, and mostly pitched tone can mean the person is not sure of what he is saying. It can also be a sign of anxiety. When the person speaking switches between pitches, it can mean the person is lying, or afraid. Lousy tone accompanied with smile or laughter means the person is excited while loud tone with frown face means rage. Faking voice indicates that the person is trying to impress or showoff.

4. Hand movement

When someone talks with hand expression, it could mean the person is sincere or an open person. Directly pointing at someone, especially during argument means the person is an aggressive individual, or someone who likes to feel in charge.

5. Proximity or Spacing

Someone always coming close can mean love, admiration, trust, intimacy or desire for friendship. Suddenly getting closer can be a sign of dominance or desire for romance (if it is an opposite sex), but it is all based on other body languages or manner of approach. Stepping back or avoiding closeness can be a sign of hatred, desire to create boundary, fear, discomfort or prejudice.

6. Touch

A soft touch can be a sign of care, warmth or love. A firm touch mostly is a sign of confidence. Excessive inappropriate touch can be a red flag of someone trying to cross boundary in case of desire to sexually harass. Gentle and constant touch or sudden petting from someone close, especially when excess, can mean they are about to seek favor or trying to hide something by acting nice.

7. Posture

When the shoulder is relaxed and arms are open and not crossed, it means the person is confident. It also means that the individual is comfortable and free. Closed posture such as folded arms or hunched shoulder signals lack of interest. When someone leaning forward toward another, it means interest, while backward leaning with relaxation means tiredness and disinterest.

8. Walking step

You can read someone by merely examining the way they walk into a room. An energetic, step-by-step walking is a sign of confidence. Stylish walking step means that the individual wants to be noticed by all. Calm walking step with enough pacing means the person is humble or neutral. Don't forget, someone shoes can influence how someone walks as well.

9. Fashion and Clothing

Fashion choice can also help in reading someone's personality and mind. For instance, formal dressing such as suit or tailored cloth is a sign of professionalism, discipline or desire to be taken serious. People who seek respect and formal approach would likely dress this way. Casual cloth like jeans, t-shirts or snickers indicates simplicity and sociality.

Trendy or showy fashion style shows that the individual likes attention or wants to be noticed. Worn-out, faded or neglected cloth means that the person does not care much about people's attention or has less concern about physical appearance. It can also be a sign of stress, low confidence, or dedication to something much more important.

10. Accessories and jewelries

Not using accessories or jewelries shows simplicity, efficiency and moderate lifestyle. Flashy lifestyle with jewelries and excesses means the individual likes to standout and be noticed. It also can indicate artistic creativity, ruggedness and social lifestyle.

11. Hairstyle

Cutting hair low or neatly combed with simple style is a sign of self-discipline, professionalism, attention to details and modesty. Dyed, trendy or colored hairstyle indicates someone trying to express individuality. It can also means the individual likes to follow trends and informal lifestyle. Natural and untamed hairstyle indicates a carefree attitude, desire for authenticity or stubbornness against social norms.

12. Color choices

When an individual likes calm colors like black, grey, beige or related colors, it means seriousness or reserved nature. Someone who does not like to be noticed too much, and mostly have life focus. Desire for bright colors like red, yellow, orange, pink, indicates an outgoing and expressive personality.

13. Choice of words

People who avoid using harsh words or profanity simply express good moral life and discipline. The use of profanity, N-word and other harsh terms indicate indiscipline and street lifestyle.

Conclusion

Reading people in seconds is beyond what they have to say. It is about reading their body language, observing what they do, and checking their choice of fashion, color, words and other indirect expressions. While some may pretend, consistent non-verbal signals always reveal the truth about them, truth that even words cannot express. When you pay attention to these cues, it can help you to understand people around you, and how you can know how to get close to create bonds or avoid. Having the special ability to read someone means that you possess the power to see beyond words.