What Every BODY Is Saying : An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed Reading People

TORSO TIPS 103

gevity on the job, since it sends a strong negative nonverbal message of
disrespect for authority.

Puffing Up the Chest

Humans, like many other creatures (including some lizards, birds, dogs,
and our fellow primates), puff up their chests when trying to establish
territorial dominance (Givens, 1998–2007). Watch two people who are
angry with each other; they will puff out their chests just like silverback
gorillas. Although it may seem almost comical when we see others do
it, puffing of the chest should not be ignored, because observation has
shown that when people are about to strike someone their chests will
puff out. You see this on the school grounds when kids are about to fight.
It can also be seen among professional boxers as they goad each other
verbally before a major fight—chest out, leaning into each other, pro-
claiming their certitude of winning. The great Muhammad Ali did this
better than anyone during prefight events. Not only was he threatening
he was also funny—all part of the show—which made for good theater
and, of course, ticket sales.

Baring the Torso

Sometimes in street fights, people getting ready to strike out at an oppo-
nent will disrobe—removing an article of clothing like a shirt or hat.
Whether this is done simply to f lex one’s muscles, to protect the dis-
carded clothing, or to rob the opponent of some type of hold he can use
to his advantage, no one is sure. In any case, if you should get into an ar-
gument with someone and he or she takes off a hat, shirt, or other article
of clothing, most likely a fight is in the offing (see box 26).

Breathing Behavior and the Torso

When a person is under stress, the chest may be seen to heave or expand
and contract rapidly. When the limbic system is aroused and engaged for