Body pointing

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Closing the conversation > Body pointing

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Use your body to point away from the other person.

Point one leg away or the whole body away, so only your head is turned towards the other person. You can even be completely rude and turn your head away.

If you are sitting, look like you are about to get up. If you are standing, lean in the direction of the exit.

You can also keep glancing at the exit.

Instead of the exit, you can also point at another person, as if you want to go and see them or otherwise spend more time with them.

Example

A man in a group of three points his body at the woman whilst listening to another man talk. The second man gets the message and moves off.

A person in keeps looking at the door and points one foot and knee towards the door also. Occasionally they move slightly in that direction, particularly at the end of a sentence.

Discussion

The body sends subconscious signals that may be picked up by the other person, consciously or subconsciously. Pointing toward the other person shows interest in them, whilst pointing away shows disinterest or a need to go somewhere else.

This method can be used in combination with other closing methods.