Before anyone says a word, bodies are already talking. Learning to read a few simple signals, and to send relaxed ones yourself, makes every conversation easier.
Where they’re facing
People tend to point their feet and shoulders toward what has their attention. If someone turns their whole body toward you, they’re engaged. If their torso stays angled toward the door or their friends, part of them is somewhere else.
Eye contact
Comfortable, easy eye contact usually means interest and trust. Constant glances at a phone or around the room usually mean distraction. Don’t stare to prove confidence. Natural eye contact comes and goes.
Distance
Watch what happens to the space between you. If someone leans in, steps closer or stays put when there’s room to move, they’re comfortable. If they step back, cross their arms or put a bag between you, give them more room. Respecting space is one of the clearest ways to show you’re safe to talk to.
Open or closed
Open body language means uncrossed arms, relaxed shoulders, hands visible. Closed means arms folded, a turned shoulder, earbuds going back in. Closed doesn’t always mean uninterested, since people get cold or shy, but several closed signals together mean slow down.
Look for clusters
No single signal is proof of anything. Someone checking their phone might be waiting for a ride. Look for two or three signals pointing the same way before you decide what’s going on, and when in doubt, simply ask.
What your body is saying
Your own posture matters too. Stand or sit facing people, keep your hands relaxed, smile, and don’t crowd anyone. Relaxed body language makes you easier to approach and helps the other person relax too.
Practise it
Read the Signal is a quick-fire mini-game made for this: short situations where you call interest, mixed signals or no interest, with the reason after every card.