The Ultimate Body Language Book

Ventral distancing is also a nonverbal cue that indicates agreement. When people don’t like what they
are hearing, they will slouch or lean backward to indicate that they aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on matters.
On the other hand, when people agree, they will move toward each other to shrink the distance. When
presenting a lecture, it’s easy to measure audience interest because those most keen will be sitting “at
the edge of their seat” hanging onto every word. The bored or disinterested will be slouching or sitting
low in their seats perhaps awkwardly to one side as if ready to take flight.
When we are reunited with loved ones we take part in hugs which is intimate precisely because the
torsos are sandwiched together. We even move our arms away from our fronts so that we can get even
closer. Children love to receive “raspberries” where air is blown onto their stomachs and will permit it
because they trust their parents or family members. However, even with children they’ll “turn their
backs on us” when they are upset with us as we enforce rules. This is a nonverbal way to show
disagreement. Lovers in deep conversations will move closer to each other and face head on indicating
a trust and showing no desire to leave or exit the situation which might happen by turning the torso
away. Orienting the torso forward says that this is the direction in which someone is thinking about
moving and when lovers do this, it means they wish to move into one another; to kiss. In a business
context, people who agree with turn their bodies so they more closely face each other, even while
sitting, and away from those whom they disagree with. This is called “ventral fronting” or “ventral
denial.”
To use ventral language best, lean forward and drop the arms to the side when you wish to project
agreement but when the opposite is desired feel free to side back in a chair or lean back or turn to the
side and cross the arms. Making friends with all people is not always desirable especially when
someone is malicious and unpopular. Being courteous all the time, to all people is a misuse of proper
body language so use the nonverbal language that is most appropriate for the feelings you want to
convey.