How have you observed or used body language to your own advantage?

The most amazing occurrence of body language I've witnessed was a friend back in high school that could control our group of friends.

Whenever we were standing in a circle and he wanted to speak, he would simply take a step or two towards the middle.

This would cause everyone to quiet down, effectively giving him room to speak uninterrupted.

We didn't catch on for

a while, but the way he was able to perform it so subtly was amazing. I believe this has to do with

personal space and how we instinctively react to an incoming presence. Similar simple ways to control

group. If you're eating dinner and everyone is done and just chatting, simply stand up. People usually

follow suit almost unconsciously.

Alternately, if you're a group or milling around but should be heading somewhere, just start walking.

Generally, everyone will follow. Sometimes I have to tag a friend or two to start walking with me if part of the group is not paying attention,

but once you get three or four, the rest tend to follow. Anyone not following due to being engrossed in conversation will soon go,

wait, where did everyone else go? And chase after you. I do this a lot at crowded sci-fi and

gaming conventions when my group needs to be at a panel or meet up. Next up, we have a rather

long story about an individual who seems to have mastered this particular

subject matter and used it fully to his own advantage.

I once sat next to a guy in my college class that was unreal with things like this.

For instance, once before class, while we were waiting outside the room for the professor

to arrive, he saw a pretty girl

coming down the hall. Immediately, he goes, I'm going to go talk to her, but doesn't move. I'd always

known the guy was suave beyond my years, so I'm really curious as to what his icebreaker is going to be,

and waiting to see this in action. Being a bit unsure of myself in my early college years,

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