How to Tell if Someone is Inattentive Through Body Language

Attention is such an important factor in conversations. Most people unknowingly send clear signs about how they really feel or think through facial expression, postures or gestures. It may be misleading at times, but if you happen to familiarize yourself with non-verbal signals, you will eventually know what is up in every person’s head. Here are signs that signify inattentiveness.

Instructions

1. Watch for poor eye contact. Inattentive people do not exhibit good eye contact during conversations. They tend to look somewhere else, showing no interest in what you are talking about.

2. 

   Know that sitting with the legs and arms crossed is a clear sign of mental detachment, implying no concern about what is being said.

3. Recognize signs of boredom: yawning, eyes wandering around the walls or up to the ceiling, and one leg crossed over the other with the foot slightly kicking.

4. 

   Notice postures that are indicative of unwillingness to listen. These include leaning backward instead of sitting up straight, head directed down toward the floor, and an arm flexed on the chair arm with the head resting on the hand.

5. Watch for exhibits of restlessness or uneasiness. These may suggest that the person wants to be somewhere else, rather than being there listening to your discussion.

6. 

   Notice if someone entertains any distractions from the surroundings, such as answering calls from a cell phone or talking to another person while the lecture is going. These can indicate a desire to divert the mind away from the conversation topic.

7. Watch for fast and repetitive nodding of the head. This indicates that the person is already impatient and is sending you a signal that he doesn't want to hear from you anymore.

8. 

   Note if the other person drums her fingers or rubs her hands together. These are obvious signs that she is eagerly waiting for you to just wrap things up and stop talking.

Tips & Warnings

• To stir up the interest of listeners during discussions, try asking them questions, making them participate or allowing them to ask questions. A two-way interaction is a typical sign of a productive conversation.