Disgust is of two types- germs disgust and moral disgust. When someone feels disgusted, they pull their chin backward because they’re judging the situation negatively. The person who feels that the stranger will steal their attention does this gesture. This head gesture is common in groups when a stranger joins the group. It’s as if they’re being symbolically punched in the chin by the source of their threat and so have it pulled back as a defensive measure.Īlso, it partially hides the vulnerable front portion of the neck. When the chin is down and pulled back, it means the person is feeling threatened or judgmental in a negative way. It can also mean that the person is engaged in self-talk or feeling an emotion very deeply. This is why our heads ‘hang’ in shame and don’t ‘rise’ in shame. It’s an unconscious attempt to lower one’s height and status. When the chin is positioned below the horizontal, it can signal that the person is sad, dejected, or shy. In this case, the person is exposing their neck not in a submissive way but in a way that says, ‘I dare you to harm me’. By lifting the chin up, the person is trying to increase their height so that they can ‘look down through their nose’ at someone. If the chin is lifted above the horizontal, it means the person is displaying superiority, fearlessness, or arrogance. The neutral position of the chin is the horizontal position. In this case, they’re probably just trying to change the angle of their eyes to get a better/different view. Keep the context in mind to figure out the correct meaning. A complex painting or a strange gadget, for example. This head gesture is also used by a person when they’re looking at something they don’t understand. This is why politicians and people at other top leadership positions that require the support of people tilt their heads frequently while addressing the masses. Interestingly, if you tilt your head while speaking, the listener will trust your words more. When someone tilts their head in your presence, they’re non-verbally telling you, ‘I trust you not to harm me’. If they’re still tilting their head then it’s a clear indication they’re interested in you more than in the conversation.īy tilting the head to the side, the person is exposing to you a vulnerable part of their body- the neck. Many canines including dogs lie down and expose their necks while confronting a more dominant canine to signal ‘defeat’, ending the fight without any physical aggression or bloodshed. To test which one it is, try changing the topic of the conversation. If you see someone tilting their head to the side while you’re talking, know that they either like you or like what you’re talking about or both. It’s also a submission head gesture that is commonly used by women when they’re in the company of someone they like or are simply interested in the ongoing conversation. Tilting the head to the side communicates that the person is interested in what they’re seeing or hearing. It’s because non-verbal signals cannot be easily manipulated and so are more likely to be true. When non-verbal signals contradict the verbal messages, you should always prefer the former. If the nodding or shaking of the head is not congruent with what the person is saying, something is off.įor example, during a conversation, if a person says, ‘It sounds good’ or ‘Okay, let’s go for it’ while shaking their head from side to side, then it’s clear that they don’t really mean what they’re saying. After interrupting, they eagerly make their own point. You might have noticed how people sometimes nod their heads quickly before they interrupt a speaker. Fast nodding means the listener is telling you non-verbally, ‘I’ve heard enough, let me speak now’. Slow nodding means the person is listening very intently and is deeply interested in what you’re saying.
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The speed and frequency with which a person nods when you’re talking to them can convey different meanings. It sends the message, ‘Yes, I acknowledge you’.
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A slight head nod is used as a greeting gesture, especially when two people greet each other from a distance. Nodding the head almost everywhere in the world means ‘Yes’ and shaking the head from side to side means ‘No’. Therefore, it makes sense to understand what signals we’re giving off with our head and neck movements Head gestures- The head nod When we come into contact with other people, their head (face, in particular) is what we look most at. Your head and neck gestures reveal much more about your attitude than you think.