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When it comes to the birds and the bees, we often misread or overlook signs of attraction. However, if you study body language, there are several tell-tale signs to reduce the chances of miscommunication.

When someone is attracted to you, they often mirror your movements, usually whilst retaining eye contact. They may hold your gaze longer than normal, bat their eyelashes, arch their eyebrows and have dilated pupils. However, if you are talking about a topic of personal interest to them, they will respond similarly, especially if you are being complimentary.

In some cases, this may be a sign that they are a trained Stage Three Listener like professional therapists or life coaches. Most people listen to conversations at a Stage One level, wondering if and how your speech affects them. Conversely, a Stage Two listener will consider the effects on the speaker.

At Stage Three, the listener is completely engaged, noting body movements, tone of voice, and reading between the lines. If you meet someone who gives you their full attention, it can be flattering and overwhelming. But hang in there, because it is an enlightening connection. Stage Three listening only happens when someone is a professional therapist or is in love with you!

Other nonverbal signs of attraction include playing with their hair or touching your hair. Pay close attention to mouth movements such as licking or biting lips, smiling, and puckering of lips. Women tend to throw their shoulders back to emphasise their breasts and cleavage. Likewise, leaning forward with legs and feet pointing in your direction are all positive signs.

Needless to say, all of the above are tell-tale signs of attraction and gestures we consciously or unconsciously adopt when flirting. When someone laughs at jokes that aren’t particularly funny, acknowledge their increased interest before considering a career in comedy. Similarly, when people ask questions of a personal nature or want your opinion, they are fishing for a reason to get to know you.

Make sure you remain balanced and don’t read too much into the signs, but always trust your instincts. As long as you’re on the same page, the next time someone’s hands ‘accidentally’ brush against yours, the chances are that there’s nothing accidental about it.