Body Language Tips

Here's my list of tips from The Definitive Book of Body Language that I thought were good enough to write down for later review (with the most interesting and/or useful bolded):

1. When speaking, use open palms, the "steeple," and thumb displays to show openness and confidence.
2. Mirror the other person’s body language to gain rapport.
3. Handshakes: make sure both shakers' hands are vertical and apply the same pressure.
4. Use someone's name twice immediately after meeting them.
5. The eyes are the key to a real smile as opposed to a fake smile.
6. Tight-lipped smile signals a withheld opinion or attitude; the drop-jaw smile (often used by Bill Clinton) signals playfulness.
7. Smiling is a submission signal--sometimes desirable and sometimes not.
8. Generally, keep your hands and arms at your side. Crossing your body or touching yourself signals negative attitudes and/or nervousness.
9. Same with legs and feet.
10. Thumb displays signal confidence/superiority/aggressiveness.
11. When someone is making a decision, they often stroke their chin. Their body language immediately following a chin stroke signals their choice.
12. On where to direct your eyes. For casual social conversation, the triangle made by the eyes and mouth. For intimate/romantic conversation, the triangle from the two eyes to the floor. To be intimidating, the triangle between the middle of the forehead and the eyes.
13. A persons lead foot points in the direction they want to go. This can signal someone wants to leave, romantic interest, etc.
14. Speak at the same speed as, or slower than, the person you are speaking with. On a related note, nodding is good but fast nodding can signal that you want someone to finish.
15. A head tilts signal submission. Head down signals disapproval.
16. Women, masters of communication, have too many attraction signals to list here. Men, on the other hand, use the regular confidence displays as well as accentuating their crotch.
17. Neat tip for single guys who want to know if a girl is interested. Put lint on your shoulder or wear your tie to one side and see if she fixes it for you.
18. Perceived height matters. But actions can be taken to increase perceived height.
19. Seating arrangements can greatly influence the feel and direction of a discussion. Most of this stuff is intuitive.
20. Don’t gesture too much. It signals low status.
21. When you notice someone displaying hostile/bored/undesirable body language, do something about it and their attitude might change! Their arms are crossed? Ask them to hold something. They're propping their head up with their hand? Ask them a question to get their attention. Other topics include handshaking, real smiling versus fake smiling, and other neat stuff. A very quick and easy read.

My only complaints with the book was that it tried a bit too hard to be funny and that references were rarely provided within the text. However, it contained a ton of useful information and was a fun and quick read.