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 in understanding people. General body posture, facial expressions, tone of voice, reactions to criticism and disappointment are all indications of the other’s essential character.
For example, let’s examine the body language of a self-centered person. This all-too-common trait can range from conceit to full-blown narcissism. When we meet this type of person, their general body language is one of haughtiness and condescension. Remember, these people have convinced themselves that they are better than everyone else. Beneath this conceit 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 puts on 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 support cast for the insecure are the family. In public, these people are safe, as they have learned never to find fault with the self-important. Without defense from 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 with those who do not meet an artificial standard of flashy appearance. After all, they cannot tolerate the slightest imperfection, and this includes the people around them. They are fighting a losing battle trying to control all aspects of their immediate environment to come up with an absolute standard of blamelessness.
Aging becomes the foil for arrogance. The incessant march of time affects the physical appearance and youthful appearance. The wisdom of experience is lacking and conceit ultimately results in isolation or bitter family relationships. As the later stages of life unfold, unless wisdom replaces conceit, body language gradually shifts toward dejected dejection.
