Hands “often louder than words”

Hands are most obvious body language indicators. They can be extremely expressive to show our feelings. So, whether or not people are talking we can understand their thoughts or feelings with the help of their hands.

I will give some basic tips about the signals that our hands give to other people. However, you shouldn’t forget that some gestures have different meanings for different cultures. While trying to give a positive message, you might be misunderstood by the people due to the cultural differences.

Greeting: We often use our hands for greeting. Mostly we shake hands. However, different shaking hands give different messages.

 For instance, if the person holds his hand on top, it is a signal of dominance. On the other hand, to indicate submission the person shakes hands with palm up and a floppy hand. Lastly, the person can shake hands with vertical palms. 

This shows equality.

Touching: If the person touches himself, it is related to self-affirmation or anxiety. When he touches a different person, this indicates domination or friendship.  While touching on your shoulder shows dominance, gently touching on your arm shows friendship. Moreover, the style of touching a person gives different messages.  Using full palm of the hand is warm whilst using just fingertips is less affectionate.

Hiding: We can also use our hands to hide something. If a person doesn’t want to look, he puts his hands to his eyes. Furthermore, if he wants to say something but feels uncomfortable, he puts his hands to his mouth.

If the person tries to hide his hands, it indicates that the person doesn’t want to communicate or collaborate.  It can also show the desire of listening, not talking.

Clenched fist is a signal of anger or solidarity.

                                          

           Thumbs up shows approval while thumbs down shows disapproval.

 Palms up is seen friendly and open while palms down is seen dominant and aggressive. 

Holding something with Cupped Hands may indicate delicacy.

On the other hand, holding it with Gripping Hands can be a signal of possessiveness or desire.

Comfortable or not? When the person feels comfortable, you can understand it by looking his fingers. Possibly, there is much space between his fingers or his thumbs rise more often when he speaks. Steepling is another, possibly the most important, tip showing confidence.

On the other hand, when the person feels stressful, he probably rubs his hands.