What Does It Mean When a Guy Stands Behind You

What Does It Mean When a Guy Stands Behind You

By: Michael Arangua

Updated February 11, 2021

Medically Reviewed By: Audrey Kelly, LMFT

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The body language of men can be easy to read if you know what you are looking for. Men have a certain way of standing, gesturing with their hands, shaking hands, and using their eyes that will tip you off to their real attitudes and emotions.

The definition of body language is any non-reflexive or reflexive movement of a part or all of the body that is used to communicate a message or emotion to the outside world. This can be conscious or subconscious body messages that are sent by the man to other men or women.

How Common is Body Language

Many men may think that they exude a certain air or attitude to the people around them. However, their body language could be telling a different story without them even realizing it. The most body language of men is subconscious or done without their notice. Therefore, a man who is consciously trying to appear confident may have body language that shows the opposite.

Body language is extremely common. All men have certain body language that comes out at some time or another. Studies on the body language of men have varied in results, but all agree that body language makes up 50 to 80 percent of our communications. Studies have also found that a lot of body language is the same across cultures.

How To Read The Stance Of Men

The pose and posture, or stance, that men use when they stand can say a lot about their attitude and emotions in a particular situation or with a particular person. A normally confident man who is intimidated by another man might subconsciously take on a different stance. A man who is typically meek might take on a dominant stance with women if they feel that they are superior.

Studies have shown that the stance men take during conversations is largely a reflexive movement that does not give much thought. However, some men have successfully learned to use this body language of men movements and consciously make use of them to emit the attitude that they hope to convey.

Dominant Stance

When a man stands with their shoulders squared off and hips facing forward with hands down at the sides, it is a dominant stance. This means that the man is extremely confident and feels that they are dominant over the person they are speaking with. This stance can also be used intentionally when a man wants to exert dominance over someone that they are not necessarily already dominant with.

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Aggressive Stance

In an aggressive stance, the man will have their legs close together with their weight pushed forward. The dominant leg might be shifted forward by a half step as well. The head and chin might be tilted forward, and they may shift to be off-center. When a man takes this stance, it means that they are ready to fight, either verbally or physically.

Defensive Stance

When a man takes up the defensive stance, it means that they feel threatened, worried, fearful, or perhaps even simply submissive. In this stance, the feet turn away, and the shoulders become hunched. Arms are held close to the body, perhaps with hands clasped in front or arms crossed over the chest or stomach. A man may take up this stance when they are feeling that they are or will be under verbal or physical attack from the person that they are conversing with.

Hand Gestures

The body language of men is different from women when it comes to hand gestures. Many women "talk with their hands," using their hands in expressive ways as they talk animatedly. However, men are much less likely to do this.

With men, hand gestures are typically much subtler and may not be a conscious display of body language. While hand gestures may be used intentionally to get the point across, the position of the palms during hand gestures and other uses of the hands can sometimes show the real attitude or emotion of the man who is speaking.

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Open Palms

When a man has open palms, they are displaying sincerity, trust, and openness. They are saying I am trustworthy; I am telling the truth, I mean what I say. Having open palms is a way of showing that you do not hold a weapon, either figuratively or literally. The open-handed wave that is employed by politicians and celebrities are one example of how this body language is used on a routine basis.

Hiding the Palms

Facing the palms inward or closing the hands into a fist to hide the palms conveys a much different message. It can be used to show aggressiveness or defensiveness. When the palms are closed or hidden in some way, it is usually because the man is trying to win an argument, show dominance, or defend a position.

Touching the Face

Some men touch their face during certain conversations or in certain situations. Touching the face is often a sign of either anxiety or dishonesty. Many gamblers have "tells" that involve touching the face when they are bluffing. Politicians will also touch their face when they are being dishonest or don't agree with what they are saying. Other men will touch their face when they are in high anxiety situations, such as an important job interview.

Fidgeting

Fidgeting is another form of body language that differs between men and women. When a woman fidgets, it could mean that she is anxious. However, most men only fidget when they are bored. If a man is fidgeting quite a bit during a conversation, they are likely bored with the topic and may not be giving their full attention.

Handshakes

Handshakes are a form of the body language of men that most men obsess about. Men worry about what their handshake tells the person they are shaking hands with. They also try very hard to read another person while they are shaking hands.

Overall, a handshake is pretty much just a handshake. However, some things can be conveyed through a handshake. Handshake strength is not nearly as important as the way you put out your hand to be shaken. Many men obsess over handshake strength, but really if you grip the other hand tightly, it may just show that you are trying too hard to impress.

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Dominant Handshake

When the hand is turned palm down while being offered for a shake, it shows that the man either has dominance over the other person or they are trying to establish dominance. They are forcing the other person to come up to meet their hand. The grip is usually firm but not tight. This handshake done with a forward lunge and tightening grip could be read as being very aggressive.

Submissive Handshake

Offering the hand with palm turned upward shows that you are submissive to the other person. The man offering his hand palm upturned may feel intimidated by the person they are shaking hands with, or they may be inferior to the other man in some way, such as with an employer or elder. This handshake can also put people at ease if they appear to be intimidated by you. If you don't want to appear weak, make sure you use a firm grip.

Two-handed Shakes

Two-handed shakes where the opposite hand comes up to grip the shaking hands or the wrist or arm above the hands is a very familiar handshake. Using it shows that you feel very comfortable with the other person and see them as an equal. It is usually only used between two people with a significant history. Using this handshake with strangers can seem overly invasive.

Eye Language

The eyes can convey a lot of messages. They say that the eyes are windows to the soul. While you may be able to control where your gaze is, you may not be able to control other eye movements. These are largely involuntary and subconscious, and they give a lot away about what you are thinking and feeling.

Blinking

A few blinks only at random are likely just normal eye movement. However, if blinking is rapid, it is a sign of stress. The man who is rapidly blinking may be agitated, worried or nervous. Blinking that is slow and deliberate is usually a sign of boredom or tiredness. It is very difficult for a man to control how frequently they blink, so this is a good indication of their current mood.

Focused Gaze

A naturally focused gaze, particularly on the lower half of the face the man is talking to, is an indication that they are paying attention to what is being said. On the other hand, a focused gaze with no eye movement, where the gaze is forced, is likely to indicate that the man is pretending to pay attention but is uninterested or thinking of something else.

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Wider Gaze

A wider gaze that takes in the whole face with natural eye movements at intervals is an indication of rapt attention being paid to the speaker. It can also be an indication of attraction when conversing with someone that the man might be sexually attracted to.

Upper Gaze

A gaze focused above the eyes or at the top of the head is an indication that the man feels superior or is trying to establish dominance. Many women can tell immediately if a man has a sexist attitude by where his gaze falls. If you find yourself the object of such a gaze, you can try to bring attention to your hands to bring the gaze down. But, if the attitude of dominance is strong in the man you are talking to, they may very well continue looking over you.

Sideways Glances

People look sideways when they are talking to themselves either mentally or out loud. Many liars look sideways, the myth says to the left, when they are lying. This is more about the man trying to think about what he wants to say to himself while lying rather than not wanting to look someone in the eye when they lie. However, a straightforward gaze is not necessarily an indication of truth-telling, because a man might be aware of this tale and intentionally avoid it.

Other Body Language

Some other general body language movements and gestures might indicate an overall mood. Keep in mind that many people are aware of these body language movements and can fake them. For example, someone who is vastly unconfident could appear domineering simply by changing their body language.

Crossed Arms

When a man crosses his arms, it could indicate some things. This is typically a defensive gesture. A man who crosses his arms feels intimidated or is in the midst of an argument. Crossed arms are also closing one off, which could indicate that the man is stubborn in his attitudes and not going to change his mind about what the other person is saying.

Lowered Head

A lowered head is a sign of submission. When a man lowers his head while talking to others, it means that he feels inferior to that other person. A lowered head could also be an indication of remorse or guilt if being reprimanded by a boss or someone else in a position of authority.

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Reduced Personal Space

Reducing personal space is also a sign that the man is intimidated. A man who is intimidated or submissive to the other person will consciously or unconsciously pull their body in closer to them to take up as little space as possible. If you find yourself in this position frequently, you might want to work on taking up more space consciously. Taking a more open stance exudes confidence and can make you feel more confident.

Turning Side On

Turning the body to the side slightly is typically a sign of aggression. It is an open stance with the side of the body facing the other person, even if only slightly. When someone stands in this way, it generally means that they are bracing themselves for an argument or a physical fight, or they are in the midst of an argument, and they are trying to regain control of the situation.

Controlling Body Language

Controlling your body language to a degree is possible. However, body language can tell you a lot about yourself. If you find that you are always taking up defensive or submissive stances and gestures, it may mean that you lack confidence. Sometimes in these situations, it can be helpful to talk to a therapist to evaluate why you are not confident and help you build your confidence up. Sometimes consciously taking a more dominant stance can help you feel that confidence superficially until you can work on gaining more genuine confidence.

Body Language That Shows a Man Is Romantically Interested

A new relationship is always exciting for women. Your friends and family may have lots of relationship advice to help you attract a man. They may have some good suggestions to help you find a partner or improve your sex life. As well-meaning as they may be, their relationship advice may be lacking when it comes to understanding body language signs.

Men may pick up that a woman is romantically interested in them by watching their body language. A lick of the lips, a wink of the eye, or a sexy walk gives men a subtle hint that a woman wants to get to know them. Can women read a man's body language in much the same way?

Regardless of someone's gender, we can learn a lot from someone's body language signs. If you never noticed a man's body language signals before, you may be missing some clues that he's interested in you. You don't have to be a relationship expert to watch a man's body language signs and determine if he likes what he sees.

The first thing that you might notice is a man's stance and posture. An open upper body position with uncrossed arms and relaxed legs is a good sign that a man is open and interested in a woman. Beware if he crosses his legs. It may be an indicator that he's closed and shut off, but it could also be an indicator that he crosses his legs because he's nervous.

Another way that you can tell if a man is interested in a woman by looking at body language signs is where he puts his hands. He will keep his hands visible and out of his pockets when you're talking to him. He won't put his hands on his hips. Rather he may touch his face firmly or cup his hand under his chin. If you have the advantage of sitting or standing close enough to him, he's interested in you if he reaches out and holds your hand. Don't worry if his hand is a little clammy. Most likely, he's nervous, just as you are.

Men enjoy physical contact just as much as women do. If he leans in closely or if brushes against you, it's an indicator that he's interested in a woman. Touch is a sensual and powerful sensation.. If a man brushes against your hair or trails his fingers down your neck while you're talking, you may be in for a great sex life with this person when the time is right.

There's also much to be said about facial contact. He's interested in you if he can't take his eyes off you. Do you notice his nostrils flare? That's a sign that he needs to take in more oxygen to overcome his nerves. Some say that when his nostrils flare, he wants to lean in for a kiss.

Online dating has become a staple in the dating world. While online dating doesn't give you the benefit of catching every bit of a man's body language, the good news is that pictures and videos will tell you at least part of a man's story by how he carries himself. On the downside, it will be slightly more difficult to tell if the man that you're talking to online is toying with you or if he's interested in a genuine way.

Whether you're interacting with a man in person or online, the best relationship advice you can get is to pay attention and be aware of your own body language. If you show that you're interested, his body signs may indicate that he's interested too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you tell if a man is attracted to you?

When it comes to men and body language, there are many body language cues that let you know a man may be attracted to you. Learn how men convey messages by reading body language. It may surprise you to learn -- by reading body language cues -- that men aren't always attracted to the best-looking woman in the room.

What body language indicates attraction?

When a man is attracted to a woman a key body language cue to look for is in his eyes. Dilated pupils are often part of a guy's body language that tells you they may be into you. Studies show that when a man takes a look at a woman he is physically attracted to his pupils will dilate in response. This is one of the many body language secrets many people aren't aware of.

What does it mean when a guy is touchy with you?

An obvious clue to male attraction is a guy becoming "touchy and feely." Men are more attracted to a woman they feel relaxed with. Touching is a body language that men use to see if a woman is available to date or get to know better. Men like availability to be clear, so they may touch you as a gesture of interest. By becoming good at reading body language, you'll learn to understand the difference between aggressive touching and flirting. Always keep in mind aggressive or unwanted touching -- is never okay.

What are the signs of attraction?

Women often spend time evaluating others, whereas men and body appearance are often the most important factors. Men often use body language clues to determine whether a woman is interested. Whereas a woman who engages in conversation with a man will often use verbal cues to decipher interest.

How can you tell if someone finds you attractive?

Studies show that men find women attractive who possess the specific qualities they seek in a mate. This is the same for women. While some people are comfortable talking verbally about their attraction, others feel more comfortable reading body language before revealing their true emotions.

How do you know if a guy finds you attractive body language?

When you begin paying close attention to body language cues and training the brain to read body language, you'll find that the majority of women (and men) are naturally good at reading each other's body language clues. Wondering what body language cue do men notice first? Studies show that men find direct expressions of affection and small gestures like hair tossing easy to interpret.

How do you know if a man is hiding his feelings?

Many people believe that men and women lie differently. When it comes to male body language or men and women lying and hiding feelings, male body language and female body language can be very similar. Signs of men, women, lying often include averted eyes and avoiding eye contact when being dishonest or withholding the truth.

What do guys touches mean?

When it comes to male body language -- the majority of women automatically assume that when a guy touches you it means he's attracted to you. While touching can indicate that a guy is attracted to you, men use different areas of the body to convey attraction.

For example, if a man is interested in a woman he may hold her gently around the waist. (A man that is holding a woman high above the waist and around the shoulders is more likely conveying friendly affection than attraction.)

Do shy guys initiate conversation?

If you're wondering what cue do men find easiest to pick up on, it's a conversation. Shy guys can easily pick up on verbal cues from a woman they are attracted to. If they are genuinely attracted, they may initiate a conversation.

What does eye contact mean to a guy?

Lingering eye contact with a guy can indicate interest or attraction. If your eyes happen to fall in the vicinity of your favorite male body part, a guy will often interpret this as sexual interest. When someone is interested in you, they may admire you from head to toe. The longer the look, the deeper the interest is likely to be.

Source: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/body-language/19-examples-of-body-language-of-men/

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