Just one photograph of a couple can reveal a lot about their relationship or a partner’s behavior, and sometimes it can even predict their future. This is exactly what Dr. Lillian Glass believes. She is the author of the documentary film Body Language Decoded and the bestselling book He Says She Says. You don’t have to be a master of psychology to understand it yourself.
Which details you should pay attention to if you want to become a body language pro.
13. Holding hands
If both partners’ bodies are turned toward each other and their hands are intertwined, it indicates their eagerness to be closer to each other. Actually, the “hand-in-hand” contact reveals a deep connection between them. If you see these body signs, be sure that these people have a very close emotional connection.
12. “He’s mine” gesture
A hand placed on a partner’s torso or chest hints at feelings of possessiveness. As a rule, it’s mainly women who use this kind of gesture. Their whole body says, “He is mine.” This is a subtle message for any romantic rivals out there.
11. Mutual care
If a woman’s body is turned to her partner, it means she wants to be as close to him as possible. The man is standing upright next to her with his hand placed on her waist. Pay close attention to their hands and how lightly they are placed. He doesn’t try to control her, and she doesn’t resist him.
- These are the signs of mutual care and a good sexual relationship.
10. Strong connection
They became used to doing everything together a long time ago. They know each other quite well and feel really comfortable about it. The position of their legs and bodies says exactly this. The intertwined hands prove that the couple has a strong, deep connection.
- In such couples, there’s always a leader and a follower. The one who places a hand on top usually dominates.
9. Owner
When a man holds a woman very firmly by her forearm, this sign indicates that he “owns” her. He shows her off, controls her, and tries to hold her close. Does she like it? Of course she doesn’t. Her hip is shifted to the side, and her hands are crossed. She’s not comfortable with it.
8. Like-minded
You’ve all seen the pose where a woman is sitting on her partner’s lap. It’s the most vivid sign of a good sex life. It might also mean that she depends on him, mainly because she wants it to be this way.
- Relaxed hands and an intimately inclined head indicate 2 like-minded people who trust each other.
7. Who’s the boss?
Remember that holding your hands in your pockets almost always means that you feel anxious and a bit embarrassed. If a man does this, it means he is not the leader in a couple.
Now look at the woman. She is standing in front of the man and smiling. Her legs are positioned in a way to take up more space. This body language shows us a self-confident person. She’s the boss in this couple.
6. Popular people
People who love to be in full view have a specific body posture, and it’s very confident.The man is holding the woman firmly, and she knows how to stand to look great.
- Although it may be showing off in public or a sign of a newly formed relationship, they are still perfect for each other.
5. Attachment
She puts a hand on his shoulder, and he places his on her waist (or the other way around). This gesture means that these 2 are very attached to each other. They are equal in this union: there are no leaders, no followers, and they live in peace.
- They’ve been together for a long time and can always rely on each other. They have each other’s backs.
4. Bragging
Very often, a man can place his hand much lower than a woman’s waist. At first sight, this has a sexual subtext. However, it’s really a sign of an overprotective behavior. He wants everyone to know that she belongs to him and that they’re very close.
3. Toe-to-toe
By putting his hand like this, a man demonstrates deep care of a woman and the fact that he can protect her. In this case, they both walk toe-to-toe, meaning that they’re focused on each other, forgetting about everything else. These are the signs of a well-balanced relationship with mutual care and understanding.
2. Protector
This is a classic gesture where the woman holds her partner’s arm. It means she depends on him and feels protected. The man usually stands in front of the woman. He dominates in their relationship and shows that he can be relied on.
1. Alpha male
When a man (sometimes a woman too) puts his feet up, he demonstrates great self-confidence. Powerful people who make sole decisions often choose this position. They don’t rely on a partner’s opinion.
Look at the woman. Only the upper part of her torso is inclined. Her hands and legs are crossed, showing that she is feeling tense. She is not comfortable next to him.
Let’s see how it works and look at real-life examples.
(Based on photographs of Johnny Depp and his ex-wives, Vanessa Paradis and Amber Heard, and Donald Trump and his ex-wife, Marla Maples, and current wife, Melania Trump.)
Donald Trump’s marriage to Marla Maples lasted only 6 years, but it was very passionate, full of love and mutual care. Their numerous photos are a good example of mutual attachment and interest. The couple divorced in 1999 due to a misunderstanding that could have been caused by their age difference.
Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Vanessa Paradis spent 14 years together. Look how they lean to each other. Even in public, their hands are intertwined, their bodies turned to each other. Their pose illustrates a deep care of each other. Unfortunately, their marriage ended because of Depp’s affair with Amber Heard. However, after the divorce, they remained good friends.
In 2005, Trump married Melania Knauss, and their romance and personal life attracted wide media coverage. However, experts consider their poses in photos to be artificial and fake. In many photos, Melania appears to be very tense, and Donald often shows an ownership gesture. Today you rarely see them holding hands. More often, Melania swats away Donald’s hand in public.
Soon after his divorce, Depp married Amber Heard, but you can see how different these relationships are. They stand almost separately with a space between them, and the touching looks very artificial. Their relationship seems to be more demonstrative than sincere. No wonder they split up after just a year with a big scandal.
As you can see, subtle body language signals can sometimes speak louder than words. Do you recognize yourself in any of these postures? Look at your own photos, and decide which body language is typical of your couple. Share your thoughts and real-life examples in the comments.
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