What do I have in common with Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman? We all have sexy bodies, and we know how to use them.

What do I have in common with Stephen Hawking and Christopher Reeves? We all have brains and know how to use them.

What is the difference between the first and second group? Body language... and the ability to use it. 

Some scientific types have claimed that body language accounts for up to 80% of communication, especially when one is expressing opinions or an attitude.

This explains why I don't understand much of Stephen Hawking's theoretical physics, or care much about whatever it was that Mr. Reeves wanted to eat stem cells for.  

With a percentage this high, body language is too valuable tool to ignore in life (like I do with grammar and etiquette). So… let’s investigate!

I am sure we are all familiar with the idea of someone closing themselves of by crossing their arms, or protecting their personal space in the same way. Or the typical involuntary response to touch one's face when lying (along with lower percentage of palm and inner wrist showing, and decreased eye contact, possible contraction of pupils). 

Body language can be a very good way of understanding the iterations of people around you, to see things that they aren't willing to say. Or to understand more technically things that you “just feel”. It isn't a given method or a trick that you can use to get endless affection from opposite sex members... but it can help...kinda.  

But that is boring. Let’s get interesting.

People who are in sync act like each other. The closer they are emotionally the closer they are physically. So let’s look at a social interaction.

You are talking to opposite sex member. If they have any interest in you they might be pointing to you with a foot or a knee. If not, do as in the movie Misery, break their foot and point it where you please. Adopt their volume of speech. Perhaps adopt some of their speech patterns. If sitting lean back, slightly. Wait for them to lean towards you. They will. Try looking round the room, or checking your watch, just do something. See if they echo you. Yes? Good. No? Spike their drink. Keep talking, eventually if things are working, the time it takes for them to echo you will decrease, until the point that it is basically mirroring you.

Eventually look for open sexual signs like head tilts, hair touching, knee pointing, open wrist, raised laughter or eye contact, adjustment of clothes or pelvis pointing. When four or more are directed to you, scientist types will say that “you're in” (damn science lingo). If at least one is shown but less than four, or they aren't directed at you... it means the person is sexually activated or aroused, but not for you (I know...from experience… sigh).