Men's Body Language, Decoded: What's He Really Telling You?
When it comes to understanding men—and their interest level in you—do you need a translator? We asked the top body-language experts about men's most confusing mixed signals and found that it's not what he says but what he does that really matters.
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Photo: iStock1/11What It Means When He Licks His Lips
You've seen it in cartoons: When a cat's about to pounce on a mouse, it licks his lips first, right? Tonya Reiman, author of The Power of Body Language, says it's not much different when humans do it. "We lick our lips in anticipation when we see something we desire," she says. That anticipation might even be making him feel uneasy. "When we get nervous, our saliva glands stop secreting, and our mouths get dry—leading to lip-licking," says body-language expert Patti Wood.
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Photo: iStock2/11What It Means When He Pushes Your Hair Out of Your Eyes
"This is a sign that he wants to touch you and get close but needs an excuse to do it," says Tracey Cox, author of Superflirt. Just be wary, warns Wood: "If he grimaces while he does it, it shows the need to have things correct or perfect." And be aware of your own reaction to this body-language cue. "It's a direct way for him to say, If you smile, I know you like me back,'" explains Kevin Hogan, Psy.D., author of Irresistible Attraction: Secrets of Personal Magnetism.
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Photo: iStock3/11What It Means When He Sways While He Speaks
All our body-language experts agree that when a guy rocks back and forth, he's having a mama's-boy moment. "The front-to-back sway is typically a comforting motion mimicking being rocked in the mother's womb," says Wood. But don't head for the door just yet. "If the sway brings him all the way up on his toes, it indicates happiness."
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Photo: iStock4/11What It Means When He Lifts His Eyebrows
This body-language cue is all about context. "Surprise, happy recognition, skepticism…so much of this is in the timing," says Wood. But if he raises his eyebrows quickly, you're in luck. "That's called an eyebrow flash," says Reiman. "When it's coupled with a smile, you can usually assume he's attracted to you."
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Photo: Getty Images5/11What It Means When He Fidgets in His Chair
Is he squirming in his seat? That usually indicates that something's wrong—and he wants out, says Reiman. Although Cox has a different theory. "He'll also do it if he's getting sexually excited and is trying to hide or calm down a potential erection," she says.
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Photo: Getty Images6/11What It Means When He Talks With His Hands
Men who talk with their hands are generally good communicators. "The wider the gestures and the more he does this, the more he likes you," says Hogan.
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Photo: iStock7/11What It Means When He Runs His Fingers Through His Hair
When birds in the wild smooth or clean their feathers to look their best for a potential mate, it's called preening—and this human body-language cue is no different. "If he dips his head forward and gently cups his hair and smiles, it signals he wants to look good for you," says Wood. "But if he does it as he's approaching you or as you're approaching him, he's nervous about his appearance." Note to self: If you like him back, this may be a good time to comfort him with a compliment.
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Photo: Getty Images8/11What It Means When He Sits or Stands With His Legs Wide Apart
This is one of the manliest of all body-language moves. "Sitting with the legs splayed shows machismo," says Wood. "It's like saying, I am the alpha male.'" He may even think it turns you on, Cox says. "If he's sitting with his legs wide apart, he's giving you a crotch display'—a sneak preview of what he thinks is his best part!"
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Photo: iStock9/11What It Means When He Strokes His Face
"Three cheers for this guy!" says Hogan. "He's not trying to impress you; he's just trying to listen to you." But Cox says it may be a physical thing. "We self-stroke' when we desperately want to stroke the person in front of us but don't feel like we can yet." Regardless, this guy is a keeper.
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Photo: iStock10/11What It Means When He Reaches Out His Hand
When a man stretches out his hand, he's asking for your permission, as in, I want to get close to you. Can I?' says Reiman. But exactly how he does it determines whether he feels vulnerable or confident. "Palm up means he's happy for you to take the lead from there," adds Cox. "It's a more submissive and innocent gesture. Palm down means he feels in control of what's going to happen."
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Photo: Getty Images11/11What It Means When He Kisses Your Forehead
"This is a parental gesture," says Cox. "He cares for you deeply, but he may see you as just a friend." Ugh, that's what we were afraid of! Then again, It could also mean he's totally smitten but doesn't have the guts to plant one on your lips.
