Deducing His Age

Guessing someone's age becomes trivial when you factor in hair colour and glasses. "Employee Body Language Revealed" recommends you to use body language instead.

In a Nutshell:

• wrinkles
• slower eye movements (than that of an adolescent)
• e.g. takes a while to meet you directly in the eye
• soft-spoken voice
• doesn't apply pressure to the touch
• e.g. handshake is gentle
• memory capacity is lowered
• modest, distinct attire
• slower gestures 

Deducing His Home Country

Please note these are general observations from the book "Employee Body Language Revealed," and that these rules are not absolute. I do not own any of the images used in this post.

Australia
-maintain eye contact in conversations
-firm handshake
-somewhat reserved; do not show intense emotion publicly

Canada

-firm handshake

-eye contact important

China
-business cards presented with two hands
-never interrupt conversations
-don't shake hands with people of polar opposite social statuses
-nods, bows, handshakes






England
-greet with handshake
-avoid eye contact, staring

The Art of Negotiation

Sherlock clearly mastered this, as he manipulates Molly Hooper's infatuation on many occasions.
Here's how you can figure out if someone is going to cave in:

• eyes dart around
• finger or teeth on lip 
• blushing
• breathing rate increases
• fidgeting
• hiding mouth with hands
• pacing
• sweating
• finger on nose

Watch this clip to see how Molly displays some of the signs. She's going to give in to Sherlock at any time now! Credit to http://askmollyhooper.tumblr.com/ for the image.

I do not own any of the media used in this post.

Employee Body Language Revealed: Legs, Feet

Trying to catch unconscious body language? 
Lower your head a bit. It turns out that people don't always pay much attention to what they're doing with their legs or feet.

Crossed Legs 
in men: uncertainty, closed-mindedness
in women: [varies]

Leg Language DECODED
seated
legs extended and crossed at ankle: comfortable, relaxed
legs crossed over the knee: closed-mindedness (sometimes)
one leg's ankle rested over the knee of the other leg: dominating/aggressive, confidence
one leg's ankle rested over the knee of the other leg (with a hand holding the ankle): stubborn, decisive
legs crossed, one foot rested behind the other leg. legs are angled in one direction: insecurity, shyness


standing
legs crossed: insecurity, decisiveness, submission

Feet First 
fidgeting: impatience, anticipation, anxiety, boredom
ankles twisted together: insecurity, negative attitude

Employee Body Language Revealed: Hands

Employee Body Language Revealed

Chapter Four Summary (Part 2)

Hands Put Together

Clasped Hands

impatience

attempts to remain dignified and calm 

courtesy to show you're listening 

Clenched Hands 

placed high: very frustrated/annoyed

placed midway: slightly annoyed

placed low: feeling threatened 

Steepled Hands

placed high: confident

placed midway, hands lowered: listening, interested

Shaking Hands

Employee Body Language Revealed: Arms

Employee Body Language Revealed

Chapter Four Summary (Part 1)

Crossing Your Arms 

Listeners who cross their arms retain 38% less information than those whose arms aren't.

GENERAL MEANING

person is closed to what speaker is saying

person is uncomfortable: unconfident, nervous

SPECIFIC MEANINGS

listener's arms suddenly cross while speaker is talking: listener doesn't agree with one of the speaker's ideas

see "Arm Movements'

Arm Movements

• Gripping Arms While They're Crossed:
• person is anxious
• Clenching Fists While Arms Are Crossed:
• authoritative stance
• defense mechanism 
• possibly aggressive stance 
• Thumbs Pointing Up While Arms Are Crossed
• hesitation while maintaining a sense of confidence
• Arms Behind Back
• while talking
• subject is withholding something
• with head tilted, smiling
• flirting
• with a hand grasping elbow
• subject is guilty and trying to apologize
• person is insecure 
• person is confident, showing authority

Employee Body Language Revealed: Eyes, Head

Sorry it's been awhile, everyone. I've been out collecting resources for the site and been preoccupied by previous commitments. But I said the next post would be on the 21st, and it is. Enjoy!

Employee Body Language Revealed

Chapter Three Summary

Eyes to the ceiling: person is trying to remember something
Eyes downcast, to the left: person is thinking
Eyes downcast, to the right: person is displaying emotion
Eyes downcast (straight): embarassment, sympathy
Eyes sideways (left or right): person is uncertain, threatening
Eyes constantly on the move: person is uncomfortable or inclined otherwise

Head tilting: submission
Head ducking: submission, lack of comfort

When someone lies, their pupils don't dilate.

When someone's eyes are focused on work while his eyebrows are "elevated in the forehead," he may not actually be concentrating (pg 61).

Cited Works
Stalter, Harmony. Employee Body Language Revealed. Florida: Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. 2011.