Learning how to read people starts with paying attention to patterns rather than judging one isolated gesture. Body language, eye movement, posture, tone of voice, and facial expressions can all provide useful clues about how someone may be feeling during an interaction. For example, someone who repeatedly looks toward you while laughing may care about your reaction. Crossed arms and tightly closed posture can sometimes signal discomfort or defensiveness, but they can also simply be a person’s normal way of standing. Changes in blinking, speech speed, vocal volume, or facial tension may become more meaningful when they appear alongside other behavioral changes. Social intelligence is about observing without immediately assuming. Instead of asking, “What does this one gesture mean?” ask, “What changed, and what else is happening?” You can also improve your own communication by controlling your voice and body language. A calm tone can sometimes help de-escalate tense conversations, wh...