by Leigh Goessl

Created on: June 24, 2009   Last Updated: August 16, 2009

Body language is a way individuals communicate with one another without uttering a word. People communicate through movement and gestures. Some types of body language are pretty obvious, while other forms, are very subtle.

You can really learn a lot from someone by observing their body language. Possessing the ability to recognize what body language means is a helpful skill to master when you're in the dating scene.

Through observation of body language you can help gauge whether or not (s)he is into you or if they aren't interested. Reading body language also helps you see when your date is reluctant or has intentions or a desire to move too fast for you. In more severe cases, body language can leave hints that a person may be dangerous or abusive.

Body language illustrates a wide realm of emotions and from observing body movement you can tell when someone is nervous, angry, excited, bored or happy. Cues of interest, contentment, excitement and happiness are encouraging when on a date.

Here are a few things you can look for through body language when on a date:

*Mirroring

Mirroring is a type of body language which is helpful to observe in the dating scene. What mirroring entails is one person following what the other is doing, after a slight pause, with their body movement. For instance if someone leans close to you, if you like them and want to let them know, meet them half-way.

If your date reaches out in hopes of holding your hand, allow your hand to wander in the same direction if this is appealing to you. Even facial expressions, hand movement and body position play a role in mirroring. In a sense mirroring can be likened to a dance, where two partners come together in sync.

*Eye Contact

You can really learn a lot about someone from their willingness to offer eye contact. Strong eye contact also means the person is interested in what you have to say. The desire to maintain extended eye contact by a date is usually a definitive sign they are attracted to you.

Refusal to engage in eye contact may be a sign of a lack of interest. This is usually perceived as a negative signal which often means there is not a desire to make a connection. However, while in most cases the willingness to make eye contact is a good way to measure if someone likes you, it is also important to remember that the meaning of eye contact varies from culture to culture; do keep this in mind as you watch for eye contact.

In the U.S. it is considered sincere if a person looks

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