From crossed arms to a subtle smirk, body language can say a lot—but often not what we think. Misinterpreting nonverbal cues is more common than you might realise, and it can lead to awkward misunderstandings or missed signals.
Whether it’s assuming someone’s disinterest because they’re fidgeting or thinking a smile always means approval, decoding body language is full of pitfalls. Let’s look into people’s most common mistakes when reading body language.
Psychology Today states that people, particularly women, cover discomfort with a smile, often giving fake smiles to avoid sexual harassment. True smiles, known as “Duchenne smiles,” have narrowed, squinting eyes. Therefore, one can’t assume that when someone is smiling, they are pleased; it can be something else.
“Touch can communicate many things, and one of those is affection. However, some studies suggest that at times men may touch women as a sign of dominance. There are other individual differences in touching, with some people being ‘touchers’ and others generally avoiding contact. The person and the context matter. A toucher may hold your arm to keep your attention, or to show dominance, and it may not be about any positive feelings.”
Cultural biases can influence how people think and act, leading to a comparison of nonverbal behaviours to what is considered proper in their culture, according to the Ladders publication. These biases are said to make certain behaviours seem normal or right, while others may be seen as strange or offensive. “Such values affect how group members think and act and, more importantly, the criteria by which they judge others.”
