Body Language Rules to Follow

ShowYourMind.com
This is a refresher, I don't know how many people know the basic rules to reading body language. It seems we have some different folks monitoring this blog then just the forum. So here are some of the rules to Reading Body Language with the most success.
1. Context, Always put body language in context. Someone maybe closed up (arms crossed), but it maybe due to the weather if it is very cold. They may have a dirty shirt and are hiding it. Make sure that you are putting their body language in context with the situation, weather, environment etc.
2. Clusters make up the whole message. Don't just look at one sign and draw a conclusion. Look at the body language as a whole. Always look for multiple signs. A smile, turned head, and leaning in torso is a nice cluster. A bobbly head, a full frontal torso, and a foot pointed towards you is another cluster as well.
3. Congruency, the body language must agree with it's self. Some times we politely smile at someone but we don't truly smile at them. Our body language is closed. Or sometimes we are saying we are happy with a angry look on our face. The body language has to have congruency.
4. Consistency, people are consistent and have certain habits in their body language. Look for consistency, somethings are going against their natural body language. Some girls always preen their hair, showing constant insecurity. So she may not be preening for you at all, she may be preening for her self esteem.
Always be aware that reading body language requires you to have a fluctuating understand of each situation with each particular person's body language. You need to be aware that each person has Consistent habits, Congruency with their message(when honest, body language always agrees), put all the signs in Context, and make sure there are Clusters of signs all leading you to the same conclusion.