The Ultimate Body Language Book

directed, having their bodies oriented toward the speaker, their arms open and apart willing to take
information in, their legs will be crossed or open but aimed at the speaker, their head might be cocked
to the side at forty five degrees showing interest, and any information they add will be appropriate to
the given subject rather than off topic.
There will be times, when a fully attentive person will look away, down or about the room, but these
ganders are few and brief, with the primary attention placed back on the speaker. It has been shown that
up to eighty percent eye of contact is made while listening and about forty to sixty percent while
speaking. Thus, we can measure the level of interest simply by making note of how often the person
looks away. Someone that is bored will almost seem to look everywhere but at the speaker, or will
appear to glaze over in an unblinking stare. Looking away is a subconscious indication that the other
person is looking for an escape route – a way out of the conversation.