The Ultimate Body Language Book

It is unfortunate for some that they have a condition known as “erythrophobia” which is a fear of
blushing. Blushing is a reflex controlled unconsciously by our sympathetic nervous system, but in
people with this condition the mere fear of blushing causes them to blush, and so they blush much more
frequently with minimal stimulus. In all other people, there is a link to our emotions or our
environment, we can’t just think about blushing to make it happen, so it becomes much less of an issue
in our daily lives.
In most cases then, aside from those who suffer from erythrophobia, we can reliably use blushing to
determine someone’s level of stress where the greater the amount of blushing, the greater the stress. For
most, a small amount of reddish tint will appear on the cheeks, but before this redness appears we see it
in the ears, so be sure to check there first for signs of nervousness or stress. We should be careful
though because blushing only tells us that someone has received a dose of adrenaline, it never tells us
why. In other words, blushing is just a cue or signal, and in and of itself, has no meaning. Creating
meaning is our job.
It might seem counter-intuitive but blushing can be a good thing too and if you can control it by some
miracle, you can use it to your advantage. Blushing tells us we are embarrassed so it can signal to
others that we deserve some leniency. Blushing has the effect of saying “I’m sorry” without saying it,
which may result in a lesser penalty, especially in women and children. If you blush easily, match your
body language by using submissive postures and you’ll be more apt to get away with a misdemeanor.
Blushing can also signal that we are attracted to someone, which is obviously more advantageous to
women since it makes them appear more submissive, but in men will have the opposite result as they
are expected to act more dominant. Blushing, when done by women, essentially does the work for
them, making their thoughts known. Men who are aware of the signal and who fancy the blusher,
should seize the opportunity.
Chapter 11 - Emotional Body Language
Gravity Defying Body Language
A convenient and accurate way to read someone’s level of happiness is to look for what is called
“gravity defying” body language. This is any gestures that makes it seem as if a person is floating on
air. We can also call these gestures of exuberance where energy is seemingly in no short supply, being
expended just for its own sake. Children will walk excitedly by bouncing up and down on their way to
see grandparents or to the town fair, and will sometimes even grab our hands so as to be swung to catch
even more air. When we see people with a “Bounce in their step” what we really are seeing is
happiness through body language as a person walks on the balls of their feet or when their arms swing
confidently at their sides.
When hockey players score a goal, they will immediately throw their hands into the air. The stick is
usually thrust upward in concert to defy gravity even more. Alexander Ovetchikin attained part of his
fame for his elaborate celebration displays by tossing himself against the hockey rink glass. Bobby
Orr’s superman dive after scoring the goal to win the Stanley cup in 1970 is one of the most
recognizable images in hockey history. He personified gravity defying body language. Fist pumping is
another common, yet much more subdued way to show happiness when we’ve succeeded at something
and football has no shortage of exuberant dance moves after scoring a touch-down.
Another gesture that is more commonplace in everyday life happens by when either a toe is raised
pointing upward while in a standing position with the weight on the back foot, or the while seated