How to Read Body Language in Speed Dating

Read Body Language in Speed Dating

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Speed dating gives you three to eight minutes to size up a potential date’s character, personality, interests and lifestyle. Reading your speed dates' body language gives you additional clues about them that you may not get from their answers to your interview questions. Here are some basics of body language you can use during speed dates.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Start each speed date round by assessing your date’s level of dominance as he approaches and makes first contact. Signs of dominance include swagger walk, exaggerated upright posture with shoulders back and head tilted back, slapping the table or other palms-down gestures, lowered voice tone and close approach.

Step2

Begin your interview session by focusing on body language that will give clues to the truthfulness of your date. If your speed date can’t pass the liar test, the rest of the session is pointless.

Step3

Ask a question that involves judgment or character issues. Look for signs of stress and avoidance that will tell you your speed date is having trouble with the truth. These signs include eye aversion to the side, touching the chin, side of the face or lips, and rubbing the back of hands or fingers. Other stress signs include blushing, wrinkled brow and Adam’s apple twitch.

Step4

Check body language to see if your speed date is interested in you if she passes the liar test. Signs of interest include lots of eye contact, biting or licking lips, rapid blinking and stroking the neck, hair or jewelry. Other interest signals are lip pout or open lips, side-tilt of head with eye contact, body alignment and close approach or touching.

Step5

Note a lack of interest from your speed date if you see a blank expression, eye contact avoidance, arms crossed, sitting at an angle or sitting slumped. Notice if your date has superiority feelings by looking for exaggerated upright posture, head tilted back or crossed arms.

Tips & Warnings

You can do the liar test using less challenging character questions if you don’t want to come on too hard-nosed. You can also mix in truth/lie questions throughout the interview period.