Humans are terrible at reading other humans: 24 body language myths that make you look foolish

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Humans are terrible at reading other humans: 24 body language myths that make you look foolish

By Chuvic - June 25, 2025

The idea that we can unlock someone’s hidden thoughts with a glance or gesture is undeniably alluring. Books, movies, and TV shows have fueled the belief that reading body language is a secret superpower. Yet, while we search for “tells” in crossed arms or darting eyes, we’re often led astray by popular myths. These misconceptions don’t just result in awkward misinterpretations—they can make us look downright foolish. So why do we fall for these myths, and how can we stop embarrassing ourselves?

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1. Crossing Arms Means Defensiveness

Humans are terrible at reading other humans: 24 body language myths that make you look foolish — A person stands with crossed arms, their body language open to misinterpretation as either confident or defensive. | Photo by cottonbro studio on Unsplash

One of the most common body language myths is that crossed arms always signal defensiveness or resistance. In reality, this gesture is far more complex. Many people cross their arms simply because they’re comfortable or feeling chilly. According to Psychology Today, research shows that context is crucial—without it, assuming someone is closed off can make you look clueless rather than perceptive. Next time you see crossed arms, consider the setting before jumping to conclusions.

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2. Avoiding Eye Contact Signals Dishonesty

It’s a classic assumption: if someone won’t meet your gaze, they must be hiding something. But research shows this myth doesn’t hold up. Avoiding eye contact can stem from shyness, anxiety, cultural norms, or neurodiversity, not necessarily deception. Studies highlighted by BBC Future reveal that even skilled liars often maintain strong eye contact. Judging honesty by gaze alone can lead to embarrassing misunderstandings—look at the whole picture instead.

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3. Fidgeting Means Nervousness or Guilt

Many people believe that fidgeting is a sure sign of anxiety or guilt. But the truth is, fidgeting has a variety of causes—ranging from boredom and restlessness to ADHD or simple habit. According to Harvard Health, fidgeting can even help some people focus or manage their energy. Assuming someone is nervous or hiding something just because they tap their foot or twirl a pen? That’s a quick way to misread—and misjudge—others.

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4. Smiling Always Means Happiness

A smile is not always a window into someone’s joy. In fact, people often smile to mask discomfort, express politeness, or convey sarcasm. Not all smiles are created equal—research distinguishes between genuine “Duchenne” smiles and more superficial “social” smiles. According to Scientific American, many smiles serve as social tools rather than true reflections of inner feelings. Misreading every grin as happiness can leave you fooled—and missing the real message.

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5. Touching the Face Indicates Lying

The belief that touching your face reveals deception is widespread—but not backed by science. People touch their faces for countless reasons: itchiness, stress, or even absent-mindedness. Studies reviewed by the American Psychological Association show that no single gesture reliably indicates lying. Focusing on face-touching as a tell can make you miss the real cues—or worse, wrongly accuse someone of dishonesty based on nothing but a scratch.

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6. Mirroring Means Someone Likes You

It’s tempting to assume that when someone mirrors your posture or gestures, they must like or admire you. While mirroring can be a sign of rapport, it’s often unconscious or simply situational. Social psychology research shared by Verywell Mind reveals that people mirror others for many reasons—including habit, social conformity, or even just being in sync during conversation. Don’t jump to conclusions about attraction or friendship based solely on mirrored movements.

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7. Looking Up Means Lying

The idea that looking up or to the side signals someone is lying has been widely circulated, but science doesn’t support it. Multiple studies have debunked the “eye direction equals deception” theory. According to The Guardian, researchers found no consistent link between gaze direction and lying. People often look away when recalling information or simply thinking. Relying on eye movement as a lie detector? That’s a quick way to get fooled by body language myths.

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8. Open Palms Always Signal Honesty

Many believe that showing open palms automatically means someone is truthful and trustworthy. In reality, open palms are highly context-dependent and can be used intentionally to appear sincere, even when that’s not the case. According to Psychology Today, people may use this gesture as part of polite conversation or as a learned social cue. Don’t be too quick to equate open hands with honesty—sometimes, it’s just for show.

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9. Leaning In Means Interest

Interpreting a person’s leaning in as a sure sign of interest is a common misstep. While leaning forward can indicate engagement, it’s just as often a response to limited space, background noise, or the need to hear better. Communication studies highlighted by Forbes show that posture shifts are influenced by many situational factors. Assuming someone’s captivated simply because they’re close? That’s a recipe for reading the room completely wrong.

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10. Yawning Means Boredom

Seeing someone yawn, it’s easy to assume they’re bored—but that’s far from the only explanation. Yawning is just as likely caused by fatigue, the need to regulate brain temperature, or even empathy. Sleep research from the National Institutes of Health shows that yawning is a complex physiological response, not simply a sign of disinterest. Next time you spot a yawn, remember: it’s not always about you or your conversation.

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11. Handshakes Reveal Personality

Many people believe a firm handshake signals confidence while a limp one hints at weakness or introversion. But handshake styles are shaped by far more than personality—they’re influenced by culture, upbringing, and situational norms. As Smithsonian Magazine explains, what’s considered a “good” handshake varies dramatically around the world. Relying on this gesture to judge character can lead to awkward misunderstandings, especially in cross-cultural settings.

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12. Steepling Fingers Means Superiority

The gesture of steepling fingers—pressing fingertips together in a pyramid shape—is often touted as a sign of confidence or superiority. However, people also steeple their fingers when they’re thinking deeply, organizing thoughts, or simply out of habit. According to Business Insider, this gesture’s meaning is highly context-dependent. Assuming it always indicates authority can lead to misreads and missed nuances in conversation.

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13. Feet Pointing Shows Attraction

There’s a persistent belief that where someone’s feet point reveals their romantic interest. If their toes face you, the myth goes, they’re attracted; if not, they’re disinterested. However, research cited by Healthline finds little scientific support for this claim. Foot direction is often unconscious and influenced by comfort, available space, or habit—not hidden desire. Judging attraction by foot placement alone can lead to awkward and inaccurate assumptions.

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14. Blushing Means Embarrassment

When someone blushes, it’s easy to assume they’re embarrassed or flustered. But blushing isn’t always tied to emotion. Physiological factors like heat, exercise, spicy food, or alcohol can also trigger a flushed face. According to WebMD, underlying medical conditions and certain medications may cause blushing too. Jumping to conclusions about someone’s feelings based solely on a red face? That’s a fast track to misunderstanding.

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15. Raised Eyebrows Signal Surprise

A raised eyebrow is often read as a universal sign of surprise, but it’s far more versatile than that. People raise their eyebrows to signal skepticism, offer a silent greeting, or add emphasis to a statement. As Live Science explains, the meaning depends heavily on context and accompanying expressions. Assuming every eyebrow lift means astonishment can lead you to misinterpret someone’s true feelings—or miss their subtle sarcasm.

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16. Nodding Means Agreement

It’s easy to assume that a nod always signals agreement, but this gesture is far more nuanced. Many people nod to show they’re listening, to encourage the speaker, or simply out of politeness—not because they agree. As The Conversation notes, nodding can serve as a conversational lubricant, not just a sign of shared opinion. Mistaking every nod for approval can quickly lead to misunderstandings in both personal and professional settings.

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17. Pupil Dilation Reveals Attraction

The idea that dilated pupils are a sure sign of romantic interest is often exaggerated. While attraction can sometimes cause pupils to widen, lighting conditions, medications, and various medical factors are far more common causes. According to Scientific American, reading too much into pupil size can make you misinterpret someone’s intentions—or simply mistake a reaction to bright lights for attraction.

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18. Hand-to-Neck Gestures Mean Anxiety

When someone touches or rubs their neck, it’s often labeled as a sign of anxiety or stress. However, this gesture can just as easily be a habit, a response to an itch, a way to cool down, or simple discomfort. According to Healthline, reading too much into hand-to-neck movements can lead to false assumptions about a person’s mood or mental state. Context matters far more than a single gesture.

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19. Sitting on the Edge of a Seat Shows Enthusiasm

Noticing someone perched on the edge of their seat, you might think they’re bursting with enthusiasm or anticipation. But there are many practical reasons for this posture—short legs, uncomfortable chairs, or the need for better posture are just a few. According to Verywell Mind, body position is influenced by comfort and habit as much as emotion. Don’t mistake every forward lean for excitement; sometimes, it’s just about finding a good seat.

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20. Tapping Fingers Indicates Impatience

The sight of someone tapping their fingers often leads to assumptions about impatience or frustration. Yet finger tapping is frequently just a habit, a reaction to music, or a sign of deep concentration. As discussed in Psychology Today, this repetitive gesture can be soothing or simply unconscious. Jumping to conclusions about someone’s mood based solely on their fingers can leave you misjudging their state of mind.

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21. A Firm Handshake Means Confidence

The notion that a firm handshake equals confidence is deeply ingrained—but it’s hardly universal. Grip strength is influenced by culture, gender, age, and even physical ability, which makes this measure unreliable as a personality gauge. According to The Guardian, what feels “firm” in one context may seem aggressive or inappropriate in another. Judging confidence by handshake alone is a shortcut to misunderstanding others’ intentions and backgrounds.

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22. Rapid Blinking Means Stress

It’s common to assume that rapid blinking is a telltale sign of stress or nervousness. However, blinking rates are easily influenced by environmental factors like lighting, eye dryness, or allergies. According to WebMD, changes in blinking can have many physiological causes unrelated to emotion. Relying on blinking alone to judge someone’s stress level can lead to misinterpretation—sometimes, it’s just dry eyes.

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23. Standing with Hands on Hips Means Aggression

Seeing someone stand with hands on their hips often leads to the assumption they’re feeling aggressive or confrontational. Yet this pose is also used for comfort, contemplation, or simply out of habit. As noted by Business Insider, this stance can help people stretch their back or signal they’re deep in thought. Jumping to conclusions about hostility based on this posture alone can make you misread harmless intentions.

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24. Looking Down Means Submission

The belief that looking down signals submission or inferiority is a persistent body language myth. In reality, people often look down when they’re thinking, feeling shy, or showing respect in certain cultures. As discussed by BBC, avoiding direct gaze can be a sign of politeness or contemplation, not weakness. Assuming submission from a downward glance can lead to serious misinterpretations—especially in multicultural interactions.

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Conclusion

Relying on body language myths can lead to embarrassing misunderstandings and missed connections. As we’ve seen, nonverbal cues are complex and shaped by countless factors—context, culture, and individual differences matter. Experts advise approaching body language with curiosity, not certainty. If you want to truly understand others, look beyond surface gestures and ask questions when in doubt.
Let’s move past quick judgments and embrace a more thoughtful, holistic approach to communication.

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