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Sexual Signals

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sexual signals
Before, Deborah Garrett wasn't getting close to people. "I kept my distance, clutching a glass to keep something between me and others," she says.
sexual signals
Tim Cowgill was shutting people out by his body's signals. "I would close my arms across my front," he says, "and back myself up against a wall."
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Sexual Signals: How to Improve Your Chance at Romance
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To look more approachable — and to encourage those hotties to come over and say "hi" instead of heading for the hills — you can make a few simple improvements to your body language, recommends psychologist and communications expert Lillian Glass, Ph.D.

The Sexual Signals You're Sending
Glass offers these body-language tips to beckon, rather than rebuff, would-be suitors:

  • Keep your body open. That means keeping your arms down by your sides, not crossed over your body as a buffer. Before he took some pointers from Glass, Tim Cowgill, 46, was shutting people out by his body's signals. "I would close my arms across my front," he says, "and back myself up against a wall." And 41-year-old Deborah Garrett says she wasn't getting close to people, either — figuratively or literally. "I kept my distance, clutching a glass to keep something between me and others."
  • Reflect self-confidence. A poised presentation invites others to treat you with respect. Stand up straight, but not to the point of looking stiff. When sitting, keep a straight back to avoid a sloppy slouch. And when walking, move self-confidently at a steady pace — not too fast or too slow — with your arms swinging freely at your sides.
  • Consider "respectful" touching. An appropriate, gracious touch — on the arm, for example — is unlikely to offend, but can serve as a friendly, bonding gesture.
  • Relax your face. Your face is responsible for about 75 percent of nonverbal communication, according to Glass. A furrowed forehead, for example, might be construed as critical. For a positive look that doesn't intimidate, release the tension in your forehead, while also relaxing the muscles around your eyes, mouth and nose. And smile — a genuine smile — with some teeth showing.
  • Make consistent eye contact. To make a connection, look at a person's face while you're engaged in conversation, instead of glancing around as if looking for alternative entertainment. In other words, show that you're interested.
  • Don't be shy. "Shy people are selfish people," according to Glass. "It's not all about you. Focus more on being interested — not interesting — and your mind-set will move away from how awkward you might be feeling."

 
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