Body language

The Nose

At birth, all mammals' noses seek out the mother's milk, which allows them to survive. As humans grow older, our noses continue to help us find the foods we like and to keep us safe, warning us of food that is putrefied or of adors that would do us harm, while helping to filter the air that enters our lungs. When it comes to romance and intimacy, our noses pick up on others' pheromones, making us draw closer while helping us determine subconsciously whether or not we like a person. We may pierce our noses or shape them, as a result of cultural cues, to be thinner, wider, less curved, or more petite. The muscles that cover and surround the nose are so sensitive that when we dislike what we smell, they immediately contract, wrinkling our noses to reveal our disgust. Noses help to distinguish us from others physically, they protect us from harmful chemicals and bacteria, and as you will see, they are essential to communication and to understanding others.

85. COVERING NOSE WITH BOTH HANDS-The sudden covering of the nose and mouth with both hands is associated with shock, surprise, insecurity, fear, doubt, or apprehension. We witness this at tragic events such as car accidents and natural disasters as well as when someone receives horrible news. Evolutionary psychologists speculate that this behavior may have been adapted so that predators, such as lions or hyenas, would not hear us breathing. It is seen universally.

86, NOSE WRINKLING UPWARD (DISGUST) -The signal or cue for disgust usually involves the nose wrinkling upward (also known as a "bunny nose"), while the skin contracts along with the underlying muscle (the nasalis), which is very sensitive to negative emotions. Often this ge will cause the corners of the eyes near the nose to also narrow. Ba beginning at the age of roughly three months and sometimes eve earlier, will wrinkle their noses when they smell things they don't lik This disgust cue remains with us all our lives. When we smell, hear even just see something we don't like, our nasalis muscle contrac involuntarily, revealing our true sentiments.

87. UNILATERAL NOSE WRINKLING As noted above, nose wrinkling o crinkling upward is an accurate indicator of dislike or displeasure and usually occurs on both sides of the nose. However, there are people whom this occurs only on one side of the nose (uni laterally). As the nose muscles pull upward, wrinkling just one side, they also tend to pull the upper lip of that side of the face. Some people call it the Elvis effe When the side of the nose is noticeably pulled up, it means the same thing as the full nose wrinkle-dislike.

88. NOSE TWITCHING (CARIBBEAN) - This behavior is somewhat similar to the disgust display above (see #86) but occurs much faster, sometimes in as little as th of a second. When a person looks directly at someone the nose muscle will contract rapidly, wrinkling the nose upward-but without the eyes squinting as in the disgust cue above. This behavior is a linguistic shortcut that wordlessly asks "What's going on?" "What happened?" "What do you need?" It is seen throughout the Caribbean, including in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, and thus also found in U.S. cities that have large Caribbean populations such as Miami and New York. At the Miami International Airport, I'm frequently greeted at the coffee counter with this nose twitch, which means "What can I get you?" If you see it, just place your order.

89. INDEX FINGER TO NOSE-Placing the index finger under the nose of of the side of the nose for a period of time is sometimes associated with pensiveness or concern. Look for other clues to help you discern what it means. This behavior is different from sneaking a nose feel (see #95) nose stroking, as in this case the finger just lingers there for a long time.

90. NOSE BRUSHING-This distinctive behavior of brushing one's nose very lightly several times with the index finger is usually associated with stress or psychological discomfort, though it can also present in someone pondering something dubious or questionable.

91. HOLDING NOSE HIGH-A high nose profile-an intentional tilting of the head, with the nose pointed upward-indicates confidence, superiority, arrogance, or even indignation. It is a cultural display, seen in some countries and societies more than in others. It may signal superiority. such as when high-status individuals affirm their rank at the start of a meeting. Italian dictator Mussolini was famous for this, as was General Charles de Gaulle of France. In Russia, the ceremonial guards at the Kremlin are notorious for this nose-high behavior.

92. NOSE TAPPING/SIGNALING-In many cultures a very overt tapping of the nose with the index finger can mean "This stinks," "I don't trust you," "I question this," or "I am watching you very carefully." It can also mean "I notice you." "You are very clever," or "I acknowledge you" (Paul Newman and Robert Redford did this to each other in the movie The Sting).

93. NOSTRIL FLARING -We usually flare our nostrils (naral wings) in preparation for doing something physical. Frequently, people who are upset, feel they have to get up or run out, or are about to violently act out will flare their nostrils as they oxygenate. In police work it may signal a person is about to run. Interpersonally, it is a good marker that a person needs a moment to calm down.

94. PLAYING WITH PHILTRUM -The grooved area just above the upper lip and below the nose is the philtrum. People will play with this area by plucking at it, scratching it, or pulling on it when stressed-sometimes rather energetically. The philtrum is also revealing in other ways-sweat tends to gather there when people are stressed. They might also place the tongue between the teeth and the back of the philtrum, pushing it out. Stimulation of this area with the tongue is an easily spotted pacifier.

95. SNEAKING NOSE TOUCH-Sneaking a pacifying touch by ever so slightly rubbing the nose with the index finger indicates tension that is being masked and the need to convey the perception that everything is fine. Look for it from professionals who are accustomed to being in control but are under stress. It is also often seen in poker players who are trying to hide a weak hand.

96. RAPID NOSE INHALING -Many people, when about to deliver bad or unpleasant news, will rapidly inhale through the nose, loudly enough to be heard, before they speak. I have also seen people do this as they hear a question that bothers them, and in some instances before they lie. The hairs and the nerves in the nose are very sensitive to moisture as well as air movement and touch. The quick inhale stimulates the hairs and the connected nerve endings, which appears to momentarily mitigate the stress of having to say or reveal something that is troubling.