People-Watching as an Art for Authors – Pt.9

Part Nine: Nervous or Symbolic Use of Body Parts, Gestures and Handshake

Nervous or Symbolic Use of Body Parts. Body movements often indicate the need to use energy in ways other than in the activity in which the person is primarily engaged. He is uncomfortable or dissatisfied with his conversation or with other actions and thus consciously or unconsciously participates in supplementary activity. In some cases, engaging in extraneous activity is a person's way of remaining in contact with the physical environment, or “reality.” Following are some activities a person may engage in distractedly that could provide clues to his inner state:

• fussing with objects, buttons, etc.

• twisting rings on finger; pulling ring on and off-- hand winding watch (frequently)

• rattling keys or change in pockets

• scribbling or doodling

• grasping objects while talking

• tapping or drumming with fingers on body or table

• clenching and unclenching fists, twiddling thumbs

• hitching up clothes

• shaking or nodding head

• sucking pen, pipe stem, pencil or finger

• biting nails, picking nose, rubbing eyes

• pulling or twisting hair, ears

• running hands through hair, smoothing it back

• adjusting eyeglasses

• manner of smoking

• wrinkling nose or forehead, grimacing

• squinting, rolling eyes, blinking, winking

• rolling of tongue in mouth

• biting lips, licking lips, chewing gum

• humming, whistling, hissing

• sniffing, coughing, sighing, clearing throat

• yawning when not drowsy

• tapping feet

• nervous leg syndrome

Gestures. Each cultural group makes use of its own variety of gestures, serving various purposes. Gestures may be used

• to emphasize or underscore needs

• may be used when words fail or are unavailable, as when speaking to a foreigner

• as an aesthetic form denoting refinement and culture

The important thing to observe is whether the gestures of the target personality are conspicuous, i.e., different from others in the situation. For descriptive purposes, the terms listed under pose (Part 8) may be used. Keep in mind: the same gesture can mean totally different things in different cultures.

Handshake. Since a handshake generally marks the inception of a relationship, it frequently leaves an impression that is consciously or unconsciously incorporated into the important first impression of a person. It is a good idea, therefore, to retain as much as possible of this experience so that the first impression, frequently highly inaccurate, can be traced to its component sources. The handshake may vary in pressure (strong or weak), may be of short or long duration, single or repeated. It may be active or passive (i.e., the person waits for the other fellow to clasp his hand). A handshake may vary in its general pattern: assured or timid, with compensatory vigor, using both hands, grasping other's shoulders, patting other's back, kissing hand or raising it to breast. Depending on the culture, the handshake may be preceded or followed by a kiss on the cheek(s), an embrace, or it may be dispensed with entirely.

Coming in Part Ten: Gait, Voice and Speech