Bodies are sometimes more truthful than words. Body language can communicate more to another human being than any dialogue or conversation, and one of the more nerve-wracking and entertaining parts about dating and flirtation is the body language of the other person. The right body language might indicate a desire that’s much deeper than your partner is consciously letting on. The wrong body language might mean that the date’s about to end and you’re going to go home early. It’s time to decipher the clues and see what your dates’ bodies are trying to say.

During the course of a conversation you might find yourself wondering what the other person is thinking. A good measure of how the date is progressing is just a simple glance at the way your date is standing, sitting or moving his/her hands. One of the best things to hope for is the tell-tale touch; if any kind of voluntary body contact takes place, this is usually a good indication that the person feels comfortable enough around for physical contact to take place (getting shoved out of the way is usually a more negative indication). It’s a big step towards intimacy, and usually only occurs when things are going quite well between the two of you.

Another good sign is the leaning inclination; if your date is leaning forward towards you while you speak, this often indicates that your partner is keenly interested in you or whatever you’re saying at the time. Aiming your body directly at your date will also imply your fascination with what they’re saying or doing. The brushing of arms and the accidental finger contact are also indications that the chemistry is coming along nicely. Extended eye contact is another sign to watch out for, and it’s a good method to send some signals of your own. Intense interest is frequently displayed by prolonged eye contact, although you’ll probably want to avoid doing this for too long as it might intimidate the shyer ones amongst us.

Of course, none of this stuff is a rock-solid guarantee of interest, and many people find themselves becoming stiff and awkward around would-be love interests. It’s just nervous tension, and it sometimes plays out in restless hand movements, playing with one’s hair, fidgeting in a seat and all of the other nervous twitches we might undergo in anxiety-ridden situations. Try to give people the benefit of the doubt, at least for another date. If your date remains stiff and awkward after two or three meetings, things might not be going as well as you might have hoped.

There are some body language signs which indicate when a date is about to take a turn for the worst. Frequent sighing and yawns, a bored or sleepy expression on your partner’s face, and crossing the arms or legs are generally signs of displeasure, and you’ll likely become well aware of your partner’s disinterest before long.

If none of the signs are clear, there’s always the smile. It practically goes without saying, but a beaming smile that reaches the eyes is an excellent indication of an encounter that’s going wonderfully. Try not to fake one of these smiles, however. A fake smile can appear obnoxious and will be obvious to everyone around you. Just let the good times come naturally to you! A good mood is infectious and your partner will be delighted to share it with you.

Remember, if you’re going to use any of these moves, be genuine about it. There’s nothing more awkward than forced interest, and if you naturally let your body do the talking, your partner will get the message loud and clear.