The Ultimate Body Language Book

an emotional change has occurred and that a person is experiencing threat. This is part of the freeze
response where people wish to go under the radar in the face of danger. Freezing, in this way, can
happen as a result of being confronted with an embarrassing question or situation, or being the subject
of a childhood tale that one is not particularly fond about.
Anytime foot jiggling suddenly turns to foot kicking while seated shows that a person has heard
something negative and is a response to discomfort. Jiggling usually depicts nervousness, but kicking
on the other hand, is used to fight off unpleasant thoughts. This gesture is subconscious and visceral so
is a reliable predictor because under most circumstances people don’t realize that they do it. Foot
kicking can therefore tell you what people really think about what sort of questions you are asking
them because once posed, they will readily begin to kick if it makes them uncomfortable.
Chapter 10 - Attentive And Evaluative Body Language
Agreement Indicators
The head nod is a familiar gesture that happens naturally to show agreement. The nod means that the
listener is going along with what is being said but it can also be used as a tool to actively stimulate
conversations. Research has shown that head nods can increase the length of time a speaker will spend
talking in any given instance by up to three to four times! The length of time we spend talking has a
positive effect on the level of liking we have in those we speak to. Used in reverse, nodding can
stimulate more talking in others and make them like us even more. This might seem odd, but it’s true!
Fast and slow nodding also indicates different things. A slow nod indicates general agreement and that
interest is present, whereas a quick head nod shows impatience and a desire to interject.
Proper nodding is done as agreement is formed during conversation, and can be made even more
effective by adding several additional nods at the end of the speakers point.
Research has shown that head nodding breads positive thoughts and is hardwired into the brain. In your
next conversation simply nod your head and at the same time try to hold negative thoughts, or
expressing negative views. Scientific experiments have shown that as the conscious mind invariably
gets tired or distracted, the head nodding stops or changes direction. You will face the exact same
challenges. Positive emotions are tied directly to positive body language and it is very difficult or even
impossible to change these patterns.
Head nodding therefore is a gesture that has a powerful influence to those around us and can be used to
create positive feelings. Head nodding creates connectivity in people and shows that what is being said,
is being understood. Even if agreement is not present, it shows that a person is at least being heard
which can be used to sway agreement in the future on a more important issue. In other words, when
agreement isn’t present, you should still agree to disagree!