To determine whether a potentially beautiful evening will have an equally wonderful continuation, one only needs to recognize the gestures that women use to ensnare us in their nets. To be honest, we often don’t resist.
Intimate Gaze
This gaze travels from the eyes down to other parts of the conversational partner’s body, passing below the chin. In close interactions, the gaze drops from the eyes to the chest, while at a distance, it goes from the eyes to the groin. Both men and women use this gaze to express their interest, and if the other person is also interested, they will respond with a similar look.
Sexual Provocative Posture
A sexual, aggressive posture is expressed through the gesture of thumbs tucked behind the belt or into pocket slits. This is one of the most popular gestures used by actors in television Westerns to portray the masculinity of beloved gangster heroes. The hands are positioned in readiness and serve as a focal point, accentuating the genital area. Men use this gesture to mark their territory or signal to other men that they are not afraid. When this gesture is used in the presence of women, it can be interpreted as: “I am a man. I dominate you.” This gesture, coupled with dilated pupils and, if the toe of one foot points toward the woman, is easily understood by many women. It clearly communicates a man’s intentions, as he nonverbally conveys what’s on his mind. These gestures have traditionally been considered masculine, but when women began to wear jeans and trousers, they adopted this gesture as well—though only when dressed in pants. When in a dress or other clothing, a sexually inclined woman will tuck her thumb behind the strap or pocket slit.
Gestures Used by Men in Courtship
A man begins to groom himself upon seeing a woman he likes, akin to how animals behave. In addition to the automatic psychological reactions already discussed, new gestures emerge—his hands might reach for his neck to adjust his tie. If he’s not wearing a tie, he might adjust his collar, brush off nonexistent dust from his shoulder, or tidy his cuffs, shirt, jacket, or other clothing items. He may also smooth his hair to appear more attractive.
The most aggressive sexual display from a man toward a woman will be the provocative gesture of tucking his thumbs behind his belt to accentuate the genital area. He may also turn his body toward her and position a foot with the toe pointing in her direction. He gazes with intimacy, holding his gaze just a moment longer than necessary. If he is genuinely interested, his pupils will dilate. Often, he stands with his hands on his hips to emphasize his physical strength and display readiness for interaction with the woman. If he is sitting or leaning against a wall, he may extend his legs to highlight the genital area.
Gestures and Signals Used by Women to Attract Men
Women employ the same grooming gestures as men, including touching their hair, adjusting clothing with one or both hands on their hips, positioning their legs and body toward the man, extending intimate gazes, and maintaining increased eye contact.
They may also adopt the thumbs-tucked-behind-belt gesture, which is traditionally masculine, but women use it more subtly; typically, only one thumb is tucked behind a belt, into a handbag, or into a pocket slit. Other signs of arousal include dilated pupils and flushed cheeks. Let’s explore other gestures characteristic of women.
Hair Tossing
A sharp head movement is made to fling hair from the face or shoulders to the back. Even women with short hair can utilize this gesture.
Wrist Display
A woman interested in a potential sexual partner will periodically show off the smooth, delicate skin of her wrists. The wrist area has always been considered one of the most erogenous zones. The woman communicates with the man through her skin, trying to keep her palms in his line of sight. Women who smoke find it easy to showcase this teasing gesture while smoking.
Leg Positioning
Women spread their legs slightly wider than usual when no men are in sight. This is independent of whether the woman is sitting or standing. A woman in a sexual defensive posture will sit with her legs tightly crossed at all times.
Hip Swaying
Hips sway more than usual to emphasize the allure of the pelvis. More elaborate, enticing gestures have been used by women for centuries to market goods and services.
Sideways Glance
With slightly lowered eyelids, a woman will look at a man until he notices her gaze, then quickly divert her eyes. This creates a captivating sensation of peeking and suggests a teasing hint of being watched. This can “ignite” nearly any normal man.
Slightly Open Mouth, Moist Lips
Dr. Desmond Morris describes this gesture as “self-mimicking,” as it symbolically represents female genitalia. Lips are moistened with saliva or cosmetics. Both methods make a woman appear sexually enticing and attractive.
Lipstick
When a woman is sexually aroused, her lips, breasts, and genitals swell and redden due to increased blood flow. The use of lipstick has been a method for millennia to simulate the reddening of sexual lips of a sexually excited woman.
Caressing a Cylindrical Object
Unconsciously stroking a cigarette, wine glass stem, finger, or any long cylindrical object serves as a subtle hint of what might be on her mind.
Sideways Glance Over Raised Shoulder
A rounded raised shoulder mimics her own breast.
Women’s Crossed Legs Gesture
Men often sit with their legs widely apart, provocatively displaying their genital area, while women cross their legs to protect their delicate area. Women employ three postures to express their flirtatious, alluring behavior.
The first is a bent knee. In this case, a woman sits with one leg tucked beneath the other and points the tip of her knee toward the person she is interested in. This is a very relaxed posture, free of formality, allowing for a flirtatious display of the knees. Playing with a discarded shoe also indicates a relaxed pose, and the phallic motion of placing a foot into a shoe and withdrawing it is so sexy that it can drive many men wild. Most men consider this intertwining of legs to be the most attractive pose for a seated woman. This gesture is subconsciously employed by women to draw attention to themselves.
Dr. Sheflen determined that one leg is tightly pressed against the other to create a sense of increased muscle tone, which, as previously mentioned, indicates a person ready for sexual contact.
Women also utilize other seduction tactics, such as slowly crossing one leg over the other in front of the man’s eyes and then gently returning to the original position, delicately stroking their thighs with their hands, which signals an expectation for male touch. Often, while doing this, the woman speaks in a soft, low voice.