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10 Tells For Life

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Telling fact

A deep male voice is a fairly honest signal of dominance and sexual drive, because men with deep voices have higher levels of testosterone.
Source: The Book of Tells by Peter Collett

1. Smile and the world smiles with you. It's the universal gesture of warmth and friendship. Plus it's been found to release endorphins, feel-good chemicals, in your body. So even if everyone else is in a bad mood, you'll feel more confident!

2. Make eye contact. Literally seeing eye-to-eye with people encourages mutual respect. But don't stare, it can end up making people uncomfortable rather than relaxed!

3. Echo other people's body language and they will find you more agreeable. Mirroring it exactly is likely to freak them out, but try taking up similar seating positions for instance.

4. Open yourself up. To appear friendly and relaxed, present your body without defences: arms uncrossed and face-to-face.

5. Stand tall. A straight back and erect posture give you self-respect for all to see.

6. Shake hands with people by offering your palm held vertically to show you greet them as an equal.

7. Respect other people's personal space. Getting inappropriately close makes people jumpy.

Head on one side shows that you're interested.

8. Look out for indicators that other people feel uncomfortable. Touching one part of their body with another (like playing with their hair or clasping their hands) is a sign of seeking physical comfort. If you want to reassure them, try tipping your head slightly on one side as if you are listening.

9. Look out for other people's aggression. Tight lips and knuckles directed outwards are a good indication, and a bad sign.

10. See if you can spot the fleeting expressions and contradictory body language that betray people's true emotions. You'll be wiser for it