9 body language clues that prove someone is interested in you
30 November 2018, 13:54 | Updated: 3 December 2018, 09:04
Cuffing season is in full swing and it's time to learn the basics.
One of the most annoying things about dating is not knowing what the other person is thinking. You can run every possible scenario through your head and no matter how analytical you are, you just can't make any sense of them. Why didn't they text me back? Do they really like me? Was it too early to mention my absolute obsession with Riverdale? Thankfully, we've come with help.
Unconscious body language signals might be your ticket to being in the know. A famous study conducted by Professor Mehrabian indicated that 93% of the message we communicate is non-verbal – 55% is body language and 38% is the way we use our voice (pitch, tone and volume) – and only 7% of that message is conveyed with the actual words we use. Interpreting the non-verbal is essential to getting to the bottom of what someone thinks.
We asked some experts to help decode our dates and find out what they're really thinking. So if you're navigating the dating world, suspect your friend could be a little more, or are just preparing yourself to dive right in, here are some handy pointers.
1. Touching, licking or biting lips
If they're touching, licking or bitting their lips it doesn't necessarily mean your date skipped dinner. "This is a subconscious display of their desire for you," Ezgi, in-house relationship expert at Once, revealed to us. "They might want to kiss you!" Nope, it's not the KFC tonight – you're on menu.
2. Mirroring
Everyone hates a copy cat but mirroring is cute, right? If they're following your lead it's a key sign that someone is into you. Ezgi added: "If you take a sip of your drink and they follow suit by taking a sip of theirs then this could mean she is interested."
3. A digital detox
Breaking up with your partner is hard, but breaking up with your phone? 10x harder. If they're taking a step back from their phone when they're with you, it's a big deal. "Social media is an intrinsic part of our daily lives," Ezgi continued. "But, if they're putting their phone away when they are with you, this is a sign that you have her full, undivided attention."
4. Strong eye contact
Now we've always been told the importance of eye contact at all times, but be careful not to turn it into a creepy staring contest. "You want to feel like you are the most attractive person in the room with your date and if you find that when you are on a date with your someone, if they genuinely and naturally can not stop looking at you then you are on to a winner," relationship expert Sarah Louise Ryan told us.
But it could go even further: "He may even give you the 'eye triangle' – this is when he looks at you in each eye and then at your mouth," revealed Ezgi. "This is a sure sign he wants to kiss you."
5. Open posture
If you're on a date, posture probably isn't what you're looking at. But it can be very telling. "An openness in posture is an outward sign that the person you are on a date with wants to welcome you into their space," Sarah told us.
"If their arms and legs are unfolded it means they are comfortable, if they are edged in close to you, facing into you and your conversation it means they are engaged and actively listening. Anything closed is a portrayal of protection and self preservation and so looks for a relaxed demeanour and a sense of being comfortable in your shared space."
6. Walking ahead of you
If someone walks behind you, it's not just to check you out. "They're putting themselves between you and any danger," said Ezgi. "This is a protective sign that demonstrates that he wants to keep you safe."
7. They try to touch you
"If your date is testing the waters with touch then they are trying to edge in closer to you physically," Sarah revealed. "I'm talking about things which seem subtle but elude to sensuality. Things such as a hand on the knee, a gentle holding of your arm or lower back as you stand or exit a door. These are subtle but sure signs that a date wants to feel a greater sense of closeness to you. Sometimes words do not need to be spoken to communicate what you are thinking or perhaps how you are feeling in a certain romantic situation."
Remember, though, consent is sexy so if you don't want them to touch you let them know. "Try taking a step back and see if they respond by automatically moving forward to reduce the space again," Registered Psychologist Rachel Hard suggested. "This stage then progresses to wanting to show intimacy with touch once they sense you are comfortable with the reduced personal space."
8. They actually look happy
If your date is grinning a lot then chances are you're doing something right. "Smiling a lot, laughing a lot and enjoying the time spent this is a clear sign that being around you lifts their spirits and makes them happy," Sarah said. "If happiness feels forced then it probably is. If you are both having fun and feeling a sense of 'lightness' then it's certain that he or she is into you."
9. They are relishing in the moment
A Harvard study suggested that 46.9% of our waking hours are spent thinking about anything other than what we are actually doing. "Have you ever been on a date or spending time with someone who doesn’t seem fully in the moment?" Sarah asked. "Well, chances are that if the person you are on a date with really likes you they won't just be talking, waiting for you to finish speaking so they can formulate their response but they will be fully engaged, actively listening and fully present. On your date, you essentially have their full undivided attention."
