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

THE MIND’S CANVAS 201

BOX 56: TILL DISGUST DO US PART

Just how accurate is this disgust gesture in revealing our inner thoughts
and intentions? Here’s a personal example. While I was visiting with a
friend and his fiancée, he spoke of their upcoming marriage and honey-
moon plans. Unbeknownst to him, I witnessed her make a facial micro-
gesture of disgust as he uttered the word marriage. It was an extremely
fleeting gesture, and I thought it odd since the topic appeared to be
something about which both of them should have been excited. Months
later, my friend called to tell me that his fiancée had backed out of the
wedding. I had seen, in that single gesture, her brain registering its true
sentiments without equivocation. The thought of going through with the
marriage was repulsive to her.

We crinkle our noses to indicate dislike or

disgust. This is very accurate but at times

fleeting. In some cultures it is really

pronounced.

Fig. 84