The Man in the Street 235
Adaptors
Some adaptors are best used when your subject understands a
bit of body language. Tapping fingers and wringing hands send a
clear message to even the least astute. I have used the tapping
noise to draw a person’s attention to down right, the field of vision
associated with extreme emotion, to try to agitate him. My experi-
ence, while anecdotal, tells me this intentional move to evoke emo-
tion often works. Other adaptors that can send a clear message are
rubbing the eyes, cracking knuckles, and self-grooming as a ritual
of boredom. The more subtle of adaptors, such as a slight finger
rub, are wasted as a tool for telegraphing because so few people
recognize them for what they are.
Barriers
Most people know a little about barriers. Remember the common—
and probably your first—assumption about crossed arms? Typi-
cally, you use barriers as a tool for repelling. Most people instinctively
feel shut out, and/or they feel inferior, when you use a strong
barrier. Revisit the moment when you walked into your boss’s
office and faced a large desk. You sit exposed in a chair while the
big guy builds his alpha status by sitting behind a hunk of mahogany.
Real barriers are the trappings of authority.
You can use your extremities or objects that you carry to bar-
rier and, conversely, to take down the barrier to make someone feel
more welcome. Contrast this experience with the first: Walk into