172 I Can Read You Like a Book
to list—this book would turn into a body-language encyclopedia.
The one constant is that, typically, men are more tactile than women,
which means men’s adaptors are easier to identify than women’s.Barriers
A barrier shields the self from threats, whether real or per-
ceived, and demonstrates the need for control. Closing your eye-
lids, changing your angle of approach, and other subtle moves belong
in the mix of those you know well: using hands or arms, desks,
counters, books, and computers to put something between your
torso and another person. Your choices of objects to use are often
subconscious. In proper male fashion, most personal non-object
barriering is bigger for men and women. Remember how men think:
a little is good, so more is better.
Most often, men move the barrier further away from the body.
As a result, the barriers are more evident. These barriers will likely
find themselves closer to the person’s center of gravity as well.
The exception to this is the fig leaf I described in Chapter 3.
Some barriers are meant to be impenetrable. Religious articles
that represent faith cannot be safely tampered with; as such, they
create the breastplate of God. Some of these barriers are meant
for outward observation and others for internal reference only (for
example, the Catholic scapula and Mormon temple garments).
These barriers not only protect the wearer, they also tie the wearer
to a commitment that takes priority over all else. You cannot overes-
timate the power of such an object. While outward representations
are more acceptable on women in American culture, can you imagine