GETTING A LEG UP ON BODY LANGUAGE 63you note these cues, particularly when they come from your superiors, it’s
time to end your interaction; be astute and don’t linger.
Gravity-Defying Behaviors of the FeetWhen we are happy and excited, we walk as if we are floating on air. We
see this with lovers enthralled to be around each other as well as with
children who are eager to enter a theme park. Gravity seems to hold no
boundaries for those who are excited. These behaviors are quite obvious,
and yet every day, all around us, gravity-defying behaviors seemingly elude
our observation.
When we are excited about something or feel very positive about our
circumstances, we tend to defy gravity by doing such things as rocking
up and down on the balls of our feet, or walking with a bit of a bounce
in our step. This is the limbic brain, once again, manifesting itself in our
nonverbal behaviors.
Recently I was watching a stranger talk on his cell phone. As he listened,
his left foot, which had been resting flat on the ground, changed position.
The heel of the foot remained on the ground, but the rest of his shoe moved
Clasping of the knees and shifting of weight on the
feet is an intention cue that the person wants to
get up and leave.Fig. 19