98 I Can Read You Like a Book R
in interview/talk shows. When I analyzed a tape for US Weekly of
Larry King interviewing Jennifer Aniston, I noticed she raised her
chin when he asked a personal question that she did not, and would
not, answer. It was an honest, involuntary way of gesturing, “I don’t
have to answer that.”
The neck has throbbing veins and arteries that can indicate tempo-
rary stress or a chronic condition such as hypertension. Rubbing the
neck is an instinctive reaction to discomfort that can be associated with
distended veins, or just a sense that neck is warm and a cool hand on it
would feel good. Every touch does not convey information about
someone’s emotional state. Sometimes an itch is just an itch.
Limbs
Shoulders
One surprising result from my TV watching related to this book
was observing Michael Dorn’s movements as the Klingon Worf in
Star Trek: The Next Generation. I laughed as I watched him dis-
play anger with rounded shoulders, a jaw that was tucked down,
and open hands. Lieutenant Worf, I have news for you: this is the
body language of an angry woman.
Shoulders back on a man or woman conveys control and alert-
ness, which is why everyone in the U.S. military either stands that
way when called to attention or faces the prospect of a weekend
learning how to do it right.
And unlike Worf, men will throw their shoulders back and flare
their upper back muscles (if they know how), as a sign of power,
with or without anger.
