Does body language really tell us about individual personality? While it doesn’t provide a complete personality profile, it does suggest clues that are important to understanding people. The general posture of the body, facial expressions, tone of voice, reactions to criticism and disappointments are clues to the essential character of the other.
For example, let’s examine the body language of an egocentric person. This all too common trait can range from smugness to full-blown narcissism. When we meet this type of person, their general body language is one of arrogance and condescension. Remember, these people have convinced themselves that they are better than everyone else. Beneath this presumption is a deep fear that others might discover a vague flaw in your character. As a result, they make up for it with an air of superiority.
Arrogance is expressed through proximity to others. Vanity does not like closeness; rather it needs distance to express self-imposed supremacy. Vanity disdains competition and prefers to stay out of it. In order to comfort the ego, the conceited person withdraws from others and gives the “I’m better than you” look. If you ever give someone a pat on the back or a hug, it seems forced and inauthentic. Sometimes he surrounds himself with one or two subservient or manipulative people out of an arrogant need for admiration. These supporting cast members tend to offer solicitous statements and shield the cocky from criticism. Other members of the supporting cast for the insecure are family. In public, these people are safe, as they have learned never to find fault with the cocky. Without defending him, the narcissist will react to criticism with immediate shock, then anger, followed by a verbal attack on the critic, and then withdrawing from the situation.
Designer clothing and labels are a must for many arrogant people. Appearance is used to promote the image of perfection. Their grooming can be impeccable and they tend to place more importance on attractiveness. The true narcissist is often quite uncomfortable around those who do not meet an artificial standard of conspicuous appearance. After all, they cannot tolerate the slightest imperfection, and this includes the people around them. They fight a losing battle in attempting to control every aspect of their immediate environment to craft an absolute standard of blamelessness.
Aging becomes the contrast of arrogance. The incessant march of time affects the physical appearance and youthful appearance. The wisdom of experience is lacking and presumption ultimately results in isolation or bitter family relationships. As the later stages of life unfold, unless wisdom replaces smugness, body language gradually shifts toward downcast despondency.
