Body language

The Feet

The Feet

"The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art," said Leonardo da Vinci after decades of dissecting and studying the human body. Though relatively small compared with other parts of the body, the feet carry our full weight and are invaluable in sensing motion, vibrations, heat, cold, and humidity. We put more pressure on our feet than on any other part of our bodies, and we punish them with tight shoes and endless journeys. Sensitive to the slightest touch, they can be very sensual-or they can break a brick with a karate kick. Like the rest of the body, they do their intended job exquisitely, balancing us, allowing us to walk and climb, but they also communicate our feelings and intentions as well as our fears.

388. FROZEN FEET -Feet that suddenly go "flat" and stop moving indicate concerns or insecurities. We tend to freeze movement when we are threatened or worried, an evolutionary response that keeps us from being noticed by predators.

389. FOOT WITHDRAWING -During job interviews, interviewees will suddenly withdraw their feet and tuck them in under their chairs when they are asked sensitive questions they might not like. The movement is sometimes rather noticeable, closely following a question that is difficult to answer, such as "Have you ever been fired from a job?" At home, teens might do this when asked where they were the night before.

390. PLAYING FOOTSIES-When we like another person, our feet will be drawn to them. When we like them romantically, our feet might move almost subconsciously toward theirs so that they come into contact. This is why you see people playing footsie under the table in the early stages of a relationship. The playful touching has an important role in connecting us to others. Neurologically, when our feet are touched, it registers on a sensory strip along the parietal lobe of the brain, very close to where our genitals also register.

391, FOOT ROCKING-This is another repetitive behavior that serves to pacify us. We might do this when we're waiting for someone to hurry up-the rocking shifts from the heels to the toes, back and forth. Since this elevates us as we rock forward, it is also somewhat of a gravity-defying behavior. Foot rocking can both alleviate boredom and demonstrate that a person is in charge.

392. FOOT TURNING AWAY -When we're talking to someone, we might signal that we need to leave by gradually or suddenly pointing one foot toward the door. This is our nonverbal way of communicating "I have to go." It is an intention cue, and if the person we're talking to ignores it, we can become very irritated. Be mindful of others, and recognize that when their foot turns away, chances are they have to go.

393, FEET TURNING AWAY-When we are in the presence someone we dislike, it is not unusual for our feet to turn together toward the door or away from that person. In watching juries over the years, I have noted that jurors often turn their feet toward the jury room the instant a witness or attorney they dislike begins to speak. At parties, you might see two people look at each other and even exchange a social smile while their feet will turn away, indicating their mutual dislike.

394. TOES POINTING INWARD/PIGEON TOES -Some people turn their toes inward (sometimes called "pigeon toes") when they are insecure, shy, or introverted, or when they feel particularly vulnerable. This behavior, which is generally seen in children but also in some adults, demonstrates some sort of emotional need or apprehension.

395. TOES POINTING UP-Occasionally, when someone is engaged in conversation, either in person or over the phone, you will see the toes of one foot point up, an angle, with the heel firm to the ground. This is gravity-defying behavior, which is ally associated with positive emotions. When good friends run into each other, you will also see this behavior as they talk

396.EXPOSING SOLES OF FEET-In many parts of the world, especially the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, displaying the sole of one's foot or shoe is insulting. When traveling abroad, be careful how you sit- resting the ankle on a knee exposes your soles. It is usually preferable to either keep both feet on the ground or to drape one leg over the opposite knee so that the sole is pointing downward.

397. BOUNCY HAPPY FEET-We sometimes register an emotional high with happy feet-the feet are animated and jumpy. This is certainly visible in children, you tell them you're taking them to a theme park, for example. But we also see it in adults. Poker players, for instance, might bounce their feet under the table when they have a monster hand. While the feet themselves might not be visible, often they will calise the clothing to shake or tremble all the way up to the shoulders.

398. FOOT TAPPING-This is a familiar behavior used to pass the time, to keep tempo with music, or, like finger strumming, to indicate that we are becoming impatient. Usually just the front of the foot is involved, while the heel remains grounded, but it can also be done with the heel of the foot.

399. TOE WIGGLING -Ever find yourself wiggling your toes? Chances are you were feeling good about something, excited, or eagerly anticipating an event. The movement of the toes stimulates nerves that help to alleviate boredom or stress and can signal excitement in much the way happy feet do.

400. AGITATED FEET-Every parent recognizes the agitated feet of a child who wants to leave the table to go play. Often our feet will telegraph that we want to leave, even in a boardroom full of adults, through excessive uncomfortable movements. These might include repetitive shifting, movement from side to side, foot withdrawal, or repetitively raising and lowering the heels of the feet.

401. NERVOUS PACING-Many people will pace when they are stressed. This acts as a pacifier, as all repetitive behaviors do.

402. LEGS AS INDICATORS OF DESIRES-Our legs often signal when we want to get closer to something or someone. Legs and feet will gravitate toward a store window displaying candy, or a person we are interested in. Or we might lean away as if to leave but our legs remain frozen in place because we like the person we are with.

403. LEG TANTRUMS-These are most often seen in children when they twist, move, and energetically stomp their legs, letting everyone know how they feel. And it's not just children, from time to time you will see adults do the same, as I did when an executive was bumped from a flight. This is a reminder that the legs also demonstrate emotions, and because these are the largest muscles in the body, they do so with maximum effect.

404. FOOT STOMPING-Children are not the only ones who stomp their feet to make their feelings known. We often see this when people are exasperated or they have reached the limit of their patience. I've observed men and women stomping their feet in lines that move too slowly. Usually the foot is only stomped once, just to get noticed.

405. SOCK PULLING-Stress will cause skin temperature to rise quickly. For many people, their feet and lower legs become uncomfortably warm. When stressed, they will ventilate their ankles by pulling on their socks, sometimes repeatedly. This is an often unnoticed behavior that signals a high degree of psychological discomfort.

406. SHOE DANGLE-When some people, especially women, are comfortable around others, they will dangle their shoe near the instep of the foot. This is often seen in dating situations. The shoe will be slipped back on the instant a woman feels uncomfortable or no longer likes what the other person is saying.

407. GENERAL FOOT AND LEG AGITATION -A person may present in an agitated state wherein their feet are restless and they shift or pace, racing to and fro seemingly without purpose. This might be because of a diagnosable event, such as an allergic reaction to a drug, illicit drug use, shock after a tragedy, or a panic attack. Concurrently, they might display clenched fists, fidgety hands, some lip biting, and even eye twitching. This generalized state of agitation is a nonverbal signal that something is wrong and the person is struggling to deal with it. Medical assistance or psychological counseling might be needed. Don't expect the person experiencing such agitation to be able to speak or think coherently at a moment like this.