142 W H A T EVERY BODY IS SAYING
self-attentive, dismissive way, when she is supposed to be listening to
someone else (see figure 47). In addition, there are some acts of groom-
ing that are seen as more socially acceptable in public than others. It is
fine to pick a piece of lint off your sweater on the bus, but clipping
your fingernails in public is another matter. Further, what is socially
acceptable preening in one setting or culture may not be seen as such
in another. It is also inappropriate for a person to preen another indi-
vidual when they have not reached the level of intimacy to warrant
that behavior.
The Physical Appearance of Your HandsBy looking at people’s hands, it is sometimes possible to assess the kind of
work they do or activities in which they engage. The hands of individuals
who perform manual labor will have a certain rough, calloused appear-
ance. Scars may indicate working on a farm or athletic wounds received
on the playing field. Standing with hands at the side with fingers curled
Self-preening is acceptable, but not when others are
talking to you. This is a sign of dismissiveness.Fig. 47