Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange
Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [non-verbal-communication]

Questions involving unspoken communication like gestures, body language, or other non-verbal signals.

42 questions
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As a woman, how to avoid angry stares from other people's wives or girlfriends

I am a moderately good looking woman. With basic makeup and hair styling, I can make myself look pretty. This is my preferred look when I go out. I often get a lot of stares, sometimes admiring and sometimes nasty, from other male colleagues and I…
Replica
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Can my sister convey to her womanizer boss by her body language and general behavior that she is not 'available' for an 'office romance'?

My sister recently accepted a high-paying job offer as office administrator in a local firm in our hometown in India, run by a divorced middle aged financial consultant. She is due to join next week but has now been informed by very reliable parties…
English Student
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Why is it socially not acceptable to point at someone with your finger?

I am on the autism spectrum and I tend to point at things, including people. The other day, I was talking with a coworker about some tasks I needed them to do and, while I was talking, I was also pointing at them (it was an unconscious way of…
Ael
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What impact does "mirroring" have on other people?

Mirroring is mimicking the body language of the person you are talking to. It is sometimes recommended for people to help "break the ice." But how does it create a positive impression? What do studies indicate about the likely reaction of the…
Tom Au
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How to properly maintain eye contact with people that have distinctive facial features?

Recently, I've been talking to someone that is cross-eyed, and his face has a pretty visible scar as well. These talks are mainly at lunchtime when there's more than 1 person present. Whenever he's talking, I try to maintain eye contact or look at…
Tinkeringbell
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Pointing the index fingers to one another as a way to excuse oneself: is this a common gesture?

I grew up in Italy, and there is a gesture I use that I'm wondering whether is strictly Italian or is used/understood elsewhere. It means either of: "I know this may bother you, but I'd really appreciate if you could help me" "Sorry: that was…
Nicola Sap
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How to non-verbally communicate that I am listening?

I recently got some feedback that people have the impression that when they talk to me, I am not listening. Usually, when starting a conversation with people, I acknowledge them with something like 'yeah, what about it/what is it?', or I respond to…
Tinkeringbell
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5 answers

How do I appear more friendly when I have a fierce-looking face?

I was born with a naturally fierce-looking face. Piercing blue eyes, heavy brow, downturned mouth. All due to my genetics. In addition, I tend to scowl when I'm worried or thinking deeply. I can literally make babies cry just by looking at them.…
empty
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How to talk about things I'm ashamed of, without showing this shame through non-verbal-communication?

I had a terrible undergraduate academic record. I have worked in the industry for past many years, and grown a lot since then, intellectually and skill-wise. However, whenever telling someone about my undergraduate GPA, I "look" a little ashamed. I…
Rakt
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What non-verbal communication can I use to ask if someone want physical comfort?

Sometimes, someone will talk to you about a very emotional and/or difficult topic. In this scenario, you are supposed to give comfort to the person with whom you are talking. As someone on the autism spectrum, I always find those kinds of…
Ael
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15
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1 answer

Why do people want eye contact when talking?

A lot of people think that having eye contact when talking to someone is important, but why is that? Why don't we look at the mouth or hands or the whole face or body instead? Why are we supposed to only look at the other one eyes? And what message…
Ael
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14
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4 answers

How do you talk to someone when you know you have bad breath?

Bad breath seems to be inevitable at certain times, and while it is nice to anticipate being in a social setting in order to properly prepare, sometimes it comes without notice. In my particular case, I will sometimes have individuals get very…
T James
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Gently turning down undesired physical contact/setting boundaries in a nightclub environment

In many ways this question mirrors Asking a girl whether she would like to dance with me The setting: I am alone in a nightclub. I am located in a city/region known for being culturally progressive and sex positive. Loud electronic music (generally…
spiral succulent
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How to interact with a person asking for change without giving them false hope?

I live in a big city with a lot of homeless people. When I'm on the subway, I will often see them going around asking for money, food or "just a smile." I know these people--like anyone--probably don't like being ignored and feeling invisible.…
Ael
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What is the meaning of sticking out your tongue?

And why do children see it as a deadly insult? I live in France and I know that sticking out your tongue at someone is "not polite". But why? What is sticking out your tongue supposed to mean? Often, on the internet, the smiley ":p" (which…
Ael
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