Negative Body Language Signs
Just as there are a whole host of positive signs that can tell you if someone is attracted to you, there are also many body language signals that indicate that they are not interested. Spotting these signs will allow you to make your exit with grace.
These negative gestures may also be used to subtly discourage any unwanted attention you might be receiving, without causing embarrassment to you or the other party.
Common Negative Signals
Negative signs to look for include:
- Leaning or turning away
- Keeping their distance
- Using only fleeting eye contact
- No touching, not even accidental
- Tapping their foot or drumming their fingers
- Folding their arms tightly
- Looking over your shoulder or averting their gaze
- Small pupils
- Negative grooming gestures, such as pushing their nail cuticles back or picking fluff off their jumper
- Hunched posture
- Fidgeting
- Fiddling with objects, such as shredding beer mats, making napkin sculptures or picking the labels off beer bottles
- Pursing their lips
- Clenching their hands
- Fiddling with their collar
- Shrugging shoulders
- Looking at the floor
If the person you are chatting with displays only one or two of these signals, don't worry too much - after all, they may have their arms folded simply because they are cold! However, if they're showing three or four (or even more...) of the signs, then it may be time to make a swift exit.
