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Body Language Cues That Mean a Woman Is Interested

These 8 Body Language Cues Could Mean She’s Into You

October 14, 2022

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You can tell a lot about how someone feels even when they aren't saying anything — the direction their toes are pointed in, the amount of eye contact they're making, and even where their arms are placed or how their chin is tilted offers a ton of useful insight.

This raises the question: The last time you were flirting with a woman, were you paying attention to her body language?

According to body language expert Traci Brown, you can sometimes even tell from across the room whether or not a woman is interested in you.

“A big part of someone’s body language is governed by their subconscious, making it difficult for them to hide what they’re truly feeling on the inside,” explains dating coach Liam Barnett.

Experts say that by noticing a woman’s posture, facial expressions, and other aspects of her physicality, you can tell if she’s comfortable around you, if you’ve piqued her interest, and if she wants to keep talking to you.

Keep a look out for the following body language cues — which suggest you just may have a shot with her.

1. She starts mirroring your gestures

When a woman is interested in you, she may start to match your body language, says Brown. For example, if you pick up your drink, she will too. If you lean into the bar, she’ll follow. Throw your head back when you laugh and she just may do the same.

“This is your best sign that she’s into you because it’s deeply unconscious,” explains Brown.

2. She leans in

Nowadays, when we say “lean in” to something, we mean embracing something fully or wholeheartedly. And when a woman physically begins leaning her body in toward you, that’s exactly what might be happening, according to licensed clinical social worker Christine Nowicki.

“When you have her attention she’ll show it by gently leaning towards you,” says Brown. “The neck is a sensitive area and we’ll instinctively protect it from threat. So when she shows you just a little more of her neck, she might be comfortable around you.”

Conversely, if she’s leaning away from you, Nowicki says that’s often a subtle sign that she’s seeking personal space and trying to distance herself from you.

3. She’s physically “open”

“We tend to subconsciously block ourselves from a person when we don’t feel safe around them or when we don’t want to be around them,” says Barnett.

With that in mind, if she crosses her arms or puts her purse on the bar between you, she may be subconsciously communicating that she’s closed off to continuing to interact with you.

However, her body language is open, Barnett notes that it signals a sense of comfort, security, and even interest.

So, what does open body language look like? Her arms might be relaxed at her sides, she’ll look comfortable, and she may even remove objects that are in between you — like moving her drink to make room for you or putting her bag on the floor when you sit down.

4. She points her body toward you

When something intrigues us, attracts us, or captures our interest, we tend to point our whole bodies toward whatever that is. So, according to Barnett, it’s a great sign if her shoulders, torso, and chest are angled in your direction while you’re interacting.

Conversely, Brown says if she points her body in the opposite direction or away from you, that may signal discomfort or disinterest.

5. She tilts her head

It may seem like an insignificant shift, but when a woman tilts her head to one side — even slightly — that may mean you’ve captured her attention, according to Joseph Puglisi, CEO of Dating Iconic.

At the very least, it can indicate that she’s listening intently and interested in what you’re saying.

6. She makes strong eye contact

According to Nowicki, people often show their interest through eye contact. Locking eyes with someone says, “I’m present, focused on you, and interested in what you have to say,” and it also presents the opportunity to make a deeper emotional connection during a conversation.

On the other hand, if she keeps averting her gaze, scanning the room, or looking at the door frequently, Nowicki and Barnett agree that may mean she’s not engaged and looking for a way out of the convo.

“You may also see some tension around her eyes or lips,” adds Brown.

7. Her pupils dilate

While gazing into her eyes (and being mindful not to stare in a creepy way), make note if it seems like her pupils have enlarged over the course of your conversation.

“Our pupils get bigger when we see things we like,” says Brown.

Part of this is because you get a surge of the so-called “love hormones” — oxytocin and dopamine — when you’re attracted to someone, and this flood of hormones can cause your pupils to dilate.

8. She makes physical contact

Whether she gently rests her hand on your knee or grazes your arm while laughing at something you said, breaking the touch barrier is an excellent sign.

“Touch is our conscious way of connecting with one another as a species, as partners, friends, or family,” explains Barnett. “It’s a great sign of interest if she displays her curiosity, playfulness, or even affection through touch. This tends to be a subconscious urge to connect with someone you consciously feel like connecting with.”

Brown adds: “We reach for and touch the things we like.”

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Something to keep in mind: While these clues can serve as a helpful guide, Nowicki notes that body language isn’t universal.

For example, some people may crave more personal space during conversations, especially with strangers, or feel uncomfortable maintaining eye contact for long periods due to social anxiety.

A person’s cultural background can also come into play here: For instance, in many cultures, it’s considered more respectful to look down or to the side than directly into someone’s eyes for long stretches of time.

“It’s almost impossible to be sure that someone is interested without hearing them say it explicitly and enthusiastically,” explains Nowicki. “When in doubt, find the courage and just ask — and gracefully make an exit if the response is ‘no.’”

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