Appendix 2: The basics of body language

There follow brief descriptions of some of the basic elements of body language to help you quickly analyse people around you.

Feet and legs

Happy feet

Feet and legs bounce in a happy way.

Feet point upwards, indicating a positive state.

Caution: May signal impatience, restlessness, nerves instead.

Shifting direction/orientating reflex

Feet point towards the things you like and away from things you dislike.

Feet turned away indicate disengagement and a desire to distance oneself from people, objects and so on in the environment.

Shifting feet indicate a desire to leave.

Foot freeze

If someone naturally bounces or wiggles their feet and suddenly stops, it indicates that the person is feeling threatened or ...

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