People aren’t always direct about their feelings. But that’s not to say you can’t tell what they’re feeling. Sometimes, they’ll do tiny things when their guard’s down & these things tell you a lot about how they’re feeling about you.
Here are thirteen behaviours psychology says reveal someone’s true feelings (See sources at end). Have you seen any of these in real life & how did it make you feel?
Subtle voice-pitch changes with context
Attraction & tension change people’s voice, just a little. A man’s pitch might drop slightly when they feel like the other person isn’t as dominant as them, whereas a woman’s voice might go softer or more melodic.
It’s not exactly a conscious change. But it tells you about how the other person feels. You can hear the change in pitch most clearly when someone’s greeting you or when they feel nervous around a particular person.
Pupils reacting to what (and who) you’re seeing
Yes, our pupils change due to many reasons, like light & focus. But they also change when we’re interested in a person.
Our pupils tend to widen a little when we see someone we’re drawn to, and the funny thing is that our pupils usually copy the other person’s changes, too. It’s almost as though our eyes are unconsciously trying to sync.
Eyebrow flash in quick greetings
Your eyebrows say a lot about how you feel. When you see someone you care about, your eyebrows go up for a split second, and it’s so quick that it happens before you even realize it.
The tiny flash of your eyebrows tells everyone that you care about the person you’re talking to. Most people don’t realize they’re doing it. But it’s quite revealing.
Laughter overlapping more than usual
There’s no greater sign that two people care about each other than them laughing at the same time. It happens without them coordinating or thinking about it.
They’ll simply laugh mid-story, mid-breath, at the same time. Simultaneous laughing is a clear sign that two people really like each other. They might not be willing to admit it, though.
Foot direction cues in groups
Who knew your feet could be so important? They usually point to the person that someone is most interested in, even when their upper body stays neutral. It’s hardly an obvious sign.
However, it’s quite telling, and you’ll often notice it before you notice anything going on with a person’s shoulders or face. Watch their feet.
One-sided lip corner lift on one side
You might occasionally notice people giving a little half-smirk at times. It’s a smile where one side lifts slightly higher than the other.
Yes, it’s hard to see at times & rarely intentional. But a small half-smile is a sign that someone has strong, positive feelings for the person they’re talking to. You’ll have to really pay attention to spot such a smile. It’s that small.
Body sway starting to move together
Two people who are on the same wavelength as each other often mimic each other, including the way they sway. They’re not doing it deliberately. But they’ll ever so slightly mirror each other’s upper body movements.
Someone who sways the same way as you, no matter how subtly, likely feels in tune with you.
Very slight forward head micro-tilt when listening
A person who feels invested in another person may tip their head forward. It usually happens when they’re listening.
It’s not quite like leaning forward because it’s far more subtle than that, and instead, their body is merely drifting a little closer. A micro-tilt such as this is a sign that the person really likes you.
Micro hand warm-ups right before speaking to them
Pay careful attention to someone’s hands, especially after you’ve said something. Do they rub their palms together? Or maybe they tap their fingertips? That’s a good sign.
These habits are a kind of pre-speech warm-up that appear when someone’s excited to talk to another person. They’re quite interested in the conversation & you.
Subtle upper lip tightening when you speak
Unfortunately, not all hidden behaviours are positive. Anyone who gives a tiny inward pinch at their top lip is likely to be frustrated with you. They might also not be fully open with you.
While it may be a small habit, it’s one that’s hard to hide & it tells you that they probably don’t like you, or at least what you’re talking about.
Tiny backward weight shift in the feet
You should also look at someone’s heels when they’re around you. Shifting towards the heels usually means that someone wants some space from you.
Their body will lean away by millimetres. Doing so allows them to face you head-on while they’re talking, yet it also shows you that they’re not feeling the best about you.
More rigid jaw & decreased mouth movement
People’s lower face tends to get tight when they feel uncomfortable or guarded. You may notice that they barely move their mouth between their words & they’ll have less softness in their resting lips. They’ll hold their jaw still for longer during phrases. Most of the time, they won’t recognize they’re doing it. But take it as a sign that they honestly don’t like you that much.
Rapid, repeated micro nose-touch or nose-bridge rub
A person who keeps touching their nose when they’re around you is someone who probably doesn’t enjoy your company. People touch their nose more when they’re feeling uneasy.
They also do it when they want the interaction to end as soon as possible. Sadly, it doesn’t matter how calm the rest of their face might appear. They aren’t happy with you.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.