Body language of the lips: 11 gestures that give you away

Non-verbal communication and facial expressions convey a lot of information about the feelings or personal state of those around us. And, most of the time, unconsciously, it opens a window of opportunity to “read people.” That’s why, a look, a gesture, a grimace or the body language of the lips are revealing.

Specifically, this analysis applied to the mouth area is very informative. The way you smile or the way you position and open your lips give clues about sensations and attitudes in a certain circumstance. In this article, we will delve into lip gestures.

Interpretation of non-verbal language of the lips

To interpret the body language of the lips, it is necessary to consider both cultural differences and personal singularities. The meanings of each of them can vary from one context to another and be used by individuals for different communicative purposes.

Therefore, It is necessary not to assume the following interpretations as universal and definitive truths. To achieve an accurate interpretation, a detailed analysis of the personality and how the gesture appears at different times and contexts is required. In addition, one needs to understand behavior in relation to the other components of nonverbal language.

1. Smile

It is the gesture par excellence. The best cover letter. A smile can be a sign of joy, excitement, involvement and acceptance.. But there are many kinds of smiles.

The maximum expression of happiness is one in which the upper teeth are almost completely shown. It cannot be controlled and is done unconsciously. It is often accompanied by laughter.

But beware! Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between this, natural and true, and a false and forced smile.. The gestures we perform in both are different, since, in each case, different types of muscles are contracted. However, at first glance it is very difficult to differentiate them.

If we want to know if a smile is authentic, the best way is to observe the orbicularis muscles that surround the eyes. These are the ones that produce wrinkles around them. Here, the zygomaticus major and minor muscles also come into play, giving us the characteristic ear-to-ear smile. This genuine smile is known as a Duchenne smile..

2. Biting your lips

Pressing your lips together with your teeth is another type of non-verbal communication. In general, transmits tension, restlessness or nervousness. It is also a sign of containment and self-control. In this sense, it is a way of keeping your mouth closed so as not to say something reckless or inappropriate.

3. Biting your lower lip

Depending on the intensity with which we bite our lower lip, the meaning of our non-verbal language can be distinct. Or, at least, guide us in one direction or another. If we do it softly and delicately, it indicates attraction. If, on the other hand, it is strong, with the teeth becoming marked, we are talking about a state of nervousness.

Attraction

When we feel attracted to a person, it is inevitable to make that gesture. We bite our lower lip or cover it with our teeth almost automatically.. In addition, we usually accompany it with a slight inclination of the head to one side or downwards, which shows that we feel comfortable and delighted with the other’s company.

This type of seduction body language reflects what we feel towards the person in front of us and towards the situation. And although this lip body language is unconscious, we are usually able to tell what gestures we are making. That’s why, If we are quick, we can manage to make it up to some degree..

Nervousness

Try to focus on some coworker who is very focused doing his tasks. He may scratch his hair and neck or move his hands and legs non-stop. Now focus on his face, on the small changes that appear on his face during the day.

One of them will be lip biting. This usually means that you are in a state of tension, that you are in a hurry, worried or nervous. It is, furthermore, a clear sign that your state of internal physiological activation is increasing.

4. Biting your upper lip

It is a rare gesture and It can also be interpreted as a sign of worry and anxiety.. Depending on the context and the person’s intention, it is a sign of moderation or abstention. Likewise, it could indicate concentration if you have the habit of biting it every time you perform tasks that require a lot of attention.

5. Move your lips from side to side

If we move our lips from right to left, we will find the characteristic gesture of decision making. In that period of time in which we move them from one side of the cheek to the other, we reflect, think and try to decide. Our brain is functioning and the physiological manifestation is centered in the mouth.

Usually, the first grimace is the one that lasts the longest. Then, we repeat the gesture two or three times. Finally, we pronounce or express the reasoning or decision that we were considering within ourselves.

6. Close your lips in tension

Another typical body language gesture of the lips is closing them tightly against each other, which can mean different things. Sometimes, It can be a sign of tension or that we are trying to maintain control over ourselves..

In others, it may be an indicator that we are not interested in participating in a discussion. In such circumstances, keep your lips together and tense. It is a sign of rejection of the topic and that we do not want to say anything about it.

7. Elevate the lips

When the corner of the mouth rises a little, It is a gesture that is associated with optimism or having some positive thought.. Have you ever had to hold back your laughter? It is an expression similar to the one that remains on the face.

8. Twist your mouth downwards

Unlike in the previous section, this small body language gesture of the lips usually indicates some type of psychological discomfort. Also You can see the mouth curved downward when the person is down or feeling constant worry.

9. Separated lips

Lips parted or slightly separated have several meanings. On the one hand, it can indicate that we are comfortable and relaxed. It can also signal that we are about to say something. Another possible meaning is that we feel surprised.

10. Licking your lips

This may indicate that your lips are dry and require moisturizing. It can also be a way to release tension and express nervousness. In a romantic context, it is a sign of flirtation and attraction. Some people may do it because they are hungry or craving something they have seen. For others, lip licking is just a habit.

11. Pursed lips

This gesture is usually an indication that we do not agree with something or someone, is a non-verbal sign of disapproval. It is also a sign of annoyance or discomfort. The interpretation varies depending on the situation.

Why a man bites his lips in front of a woman

This non-verbal language has several connotations, which depend on the situation, the relationship between man and woman and body posture. This gesture, as we have seen, can reveal repressed emotions and attitudes..

First of all, when a man bites his lips in front of a woman, he may be indicating that he feels some kind of attraction towards her, whether physical, sexual or emotional. It is a sign of interest and expresses that he is analyzing the woman from a romantic or sexual perspective.

However, this act can also be interpreted as anxiety, nervousness, insecurity or discomfort in front of it. If the man does not feel comfortable, he may bite his lips as a way to deal with the discomfort.

For its part, if the interaction with the woman is of a professional nature, or occurs in a work context where important decisions must be made, the gesture could signal that he is reflecting. Likewise, it could indicate that he is not calm about the situation, that he is tense and worried.

It is also possible that the gesture has no relation to the woman or the situation. In these cases, behavior could be understood as a habita pattern of behavior that appears regardless of the context and emotional experience.

Body language of lips and communication

Specifically, as we have seen, the lips can become a great little map of what we think or feel. Nevertheless, It is also essential to pay attention to other signssuch as context, hand or eye gestures.

The body language of the lips provides us with endless information that we do not express with words, but that are part of us and communicate our inner state. It is important to master non-verbal language to improve the way we express ourselves and to accurately understand others.

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