What do your Hands Say?
Our hands are the most abused part of our body. Sign language for the deaf and
the dumb shows how effective hands are when it comes to non-verbal
communication.
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Hand-to-cheek is a gesture of the thinker, a person
thoroughly engrossed in working out a problem.
·
You are playing the role of a critical evaluator to the
hilt if you bring your hand to your face and support your chin with your palm
extending your index finger along your cheek.
·
Stroking the chin is a “Well, let me consider” gesture
·
The pulling of the beard usually with the thumb and
index finger, is the gesture of a wise man making a judgment.
·
Joining the fingertips to form what might be described
as a church steeple. It designates the confident and sometimes smug, pontifical,
egoistic, or proud gesture.
Handshake is a
gesture of welcome: interlocking palms signify openness and touching signifies
oneness. Experts analyze character and attitude from a person's handshake.
·
Perspiring palms usually indicate nervousness.
·
Women, while expressing sincere feelings hold each
other's hands.
·
Open hands are a gesture associated with sincerity and
openness.
·
Hiding hands in pockets or behind the back indicates a
feeling of guilt or suspicion
·
Arms closed on the chest is a defensive gesture
·
In a cross-armed position, if the fingers are around the
biceps, it is a protective posture.
·
In sign language an extended right
thumb upwards means good, but the left little finger means evil.
·
The hands-on-hips gesture is the sign of a high
achiever. It communicates commitment to goals. This gesture may also indicate a
readiness to perform a task.
·
Arms spread out
with hands gripping the edge of the table is employed by a person demanding to
be heard.
·
A woman is reassured by gracefully bringing her hand to
her throat or by pinching the fleshy part of her hand.
·
A child needing reassurance sucks his thumb and a
teenager bites his nails.
·
Wringing hands is common when someone is in the hot
seat. Slightly clenched hands indicate a tensed person who is not open to
suggestions. A clenched fist signifies determination, anger and possible hostile
action.
·
Palm-to-back-of-neck gesture is called a defensive
beating posture.
·
When people join their fingertips in a church steeple
form, it signifies a confident gesture.
·
Hands joined together at the back and chin thrust
upwards is a position of authority