How to Use Body Language to Tell if Someone Likes You

When it comes to love, not everyone wears their heart on their sleeve -- which can make it tough to tell whether someone likes you romantically. Some folks are just a bag of mixed signals. Fortunately, if you want to figure out someone's feelings without asking them directly, you can observe the one thing they can't usually control: body language. By learning these secrets about body language and attraction, you can tell how even the most hard-to-read person feels about you, regardless of their age or gender.

Instructions

1. It's all in the eyes. Did you know your pupils dilate (get bigger) when you see something you like, and contract (get smaller) when you see something you don't? You can use this little-known fact to your advantage when you want to know if someone likes you. Next time you're with the person in question, get close enough to see their eyes clearly -- and then watch what happens when they look at you. Do their pupils enlarge? If so, chances are good that the person likes you and feels some attraction. Do their pupils shrink? If so, yikes -- they probably aren't into you, and might actually dislike you. (Keep in mind, though, that your pupils also change size depending on how bright or dark it is. For that reason, this trick is only reliable if the lighting is adequate and steady.)

2. Be a space invader. All of us have a bubble of "personal space" we need to maintain in order to feel comfortable. When you're with someone you like, that space shrinks. When you're with someone you dislike, that space grows. And when you're with someone you'd like to plant a kiss on, that space is almost zero. So if you want to gauge someone's feelings towards you, try this experiment: sit or stand next to them and gradually move closer. If they have their arm on the table, put your arm next to theirs, nearly touching. If you're both standing, "accidentally" bump shoulders or brush arms. What do they do? If their reaction is to move away and regain some distance from you, then in all likelihood, they aren't attracted. But if they don't flinch -- or, better yet, move closer in response -- then ding ding ding, you have a winner!

3. Watch out for "phantom glances." Ever feel like someone was watching you, only to find them gazing in the opposite direction when you glance back? Many people are quite good at hiding when they've been staring. And, if you can think back to 5th grade, staring at someone is one of the most surefire signs they've got a thing for you. If you want to catch a sneaky starer in the act, try this trick. We all know that yawns are contagious -- if you see someone yawn, you automatically want to yawn, too. So when you feel the person in question might be looking at you, let out a big, long yawn. Then quickly look back over at them. If they're yawning too, you can be pretty darn sure they were watching you... and, as a result, that they like you.

4. Watch for mirroring. When you're in the company of someone you like, you tend to subconsciously "mirror" their movements and posture -- for instance, if they're sitting with their chin in their hand, you'll end up sitting with your chin in your hand too, without even realizing it. So if the person you're trying to read routinely ends up in the same bodily positions as you, it means they're interested and are trying to relate physically by mimicking your poses.

Tips & Warnings

• While these body language secrets are pretty reliable, nothing is 100% guaranteed. Some people might be particularly skilled in hiding their feelings, and there are always exceptions to the four rules above. (For example, someone might be staring at you because you've got barbeque sauce all over your chin, not because they like you.)

• When it comes to being a "space invader," make sure you don't come on too strong, which could scare anyone away --even if they were initially interested. Also keep in mind that some people could have other reasons for moving away from you (for instance, maybe they forgot to put on deodorant that day and are worried they smell).