Former FBI Agent Answers Body Language Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

TL;DR

Former FBI agent and author Joe Navarro explains that body language can reveal discomfort, attraction, attempts to attract attention, and satisfaction in getting away with something. He covers intense eye contact, glasses handling, poker-face positioning, angled interactions, “duping delight,” cultural differences, and the 1967 Terry v. Ohio case. Read on for practical ways to interpret these cues and adjust your own behavior.

Transcript

you can put your elbows on the table and that fell so i'm reading his body language which is saying that sucked and so we go right back to it i'm joe navarro author former fbi agent and this is body language support at erica destiny asks why does eye contact intimidate the out of me well the fact is that it's not just you a lot of us are intimidate... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 Eye contact can be intimidating as it creates a subconscious instability.
• 😃 Eye gaze behavior can indicate attraction and interest.
• 😎 Taking off glasses can signal discomfort, attention-grabbing, or emphasizing important points.
• 😐 Improving a poker face involves blocking facial expressions and maintaining a neutral body position.
• 😃 Body language, such as eye twitching, can be interpreted to help others feel more comfortable by angling oneself and minimizing direct face time.
• 😏 "Duping delight" refers to a smirk that reveals satisfaction in getting away with something.
• 🤟 Cultural differences exist in body language, including greetings, handshakes, and gestures.
• ⚾ Body language can be considered as admissible evidence in court, based on the observation and articulation of specific behaviors.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does direct eye contact feel intimidating?

Direct, intense eye contact can create subconscious instability and cause someone to change their behavior without recognizing why. Navarro says poker players have used this effect for decades to intimidate one another.

Q: Can long, silent eye contact indicate attraction?

Yes, eye-gaze behavior can indicate that someone strongly likes or enjoys being around another person. Navarro says nonverbal behavior influences many decisions in courtship and dating, so sustained gaze is worth noticing.

Q: What does taking off glasses during a meeting or interview mean?

The meaning depends on how the glasses are handled. Rubbing the nose bridge or the area behind the ear can be self-accommodating, putting the glasses in the mouth can be pacifying, and using them like a baton can emphasize a point or attract attention.

Q: How can you improve your poker face?

Place your elbows on the table, bring your thumbs together, rest your chin on them, and interlace your fingers to block your mouth. Look straight ahead but slightly downward; this limits visible facial information, although the rest of your body may still reveal reactions.

Q: How can body language help an irritated person feel more comfortable?

Move slightly farther away and angle your body instead of facing the person directly. Navarro explains that close, direct positioning can intensify the interaction, while greater distance and an angled stance can increase psychological comfort.

Q: What is “duping delight”?

Paul Ekman coined the term in 1986. Navarro describes it as a small smirk showing the pleasure of getting away with something, almost as if the person is signaling, “I got away with it.”

Q: Does body language differ across cultures?

Yes, cultures can differ in greetings, handshakes, waving, and gestures such as the “OK” sign. Navarro recommends considering and mirroring the local culture’s behavior because it can communicate respect and synchrony.

Q: Can body language be used as evidence in court?

Yes, body language can be used when an officer can describe the observed behavior with particularity. Navarro connects this principle to the Supreme Court’s 1967 Terry v. Ohio case.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Eye contact can be intimidating as it creates a subconscious instability, often used by poker players to intimidate opponents.

• Eye gaze behavior can indicate attraction and interest towards someone.

• Taking off glasses during a meeting or interview can be a way to accommodate oneself, create novelty, or mark an important point.

• Improving poker face can be done by blocking facial expressions and maintaining a neutral body position.