Body Language For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Chapter 3

Heading to the Heart of the Matter

In This Chapter

Using your head to display power

Nodding your head in agreement

Tilting your head to indicate interest

Discerning the meaning of other head movements

Whether you hold it high, cant it in contrition or drop it in despair, the way you position your head reveals what you think of the person, place or thing you’re encountering. How you place and pose your head indicates whether you’re feeling aggressive, flirtatious or are bored to distraction.

Head movements have many purposes. They reveal attitudes, replace the spoken word and support or challenge what’s said. You can steer someone to look or move in a specific direction by using your head to guide her, or you can point with your head when finger pointing would be rude or inappropriate.

Head nods and chin thrusts emphasise words and phrases. In a meeting, the chairperson nods her head to indicate who may speak next. At the dinner table parents bob their heads while looking at their children, indicating it’s time to tuck into dinner. The bouncer at the nightclub bows his head ...