Exactly. James Dean looks relaxed, important, intriguing, brooding, and mysterious. However, "hands in pockets" is only one body language cue. Pair hands in pockets with a proud chest, weight distributed on the back leg, and you've got cosmic fabulosity. He's not open, but he gives off a certain vibe.
Pair hands in pockets with hunched shoulders, sinking chest, evenly distributed weight... and you've got insecurity and low spirits.
I point to these purist examples of body languages and their behavior from
http://www.deltabravo.net/custody/body.php
NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR INTERPRETATION
Brisk, erect walk ----- Confidence
Standing with hands on hips ----- Readiness, aggression
Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking slightly ----- Boredom
Sitting, legs apart ----- Open, relaxed
Arms crossed on chest ----- Defensiveness
Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders hunched----- Dejection
Hand to cheek----- Evaluation, thinking
Touching, slightly rubbing nose----- Rejection, doubt, lying
Rubbing the eye----- Doubt, disbelief
Hands clasped behind back----- Anger, frustration, apprehension
Locked ankles ----- Apprehension
Head resting in hand, eyes downcast----- Boredom
Rubbing hands----- Anticipation
Sitting with hands clasped behind head, legs crossed----- Confidence, superiority
Open palm----- Sincerity, openness, innocence
Pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed----- Negative evaluation
Tapping or drumming fingers----- Impatience
Steepling fingers----- Authoritative
Patting/fondling hair----- Lack of self-confidence; insecurity
Tilted head ----- Interest
Stroking chin ----- Trying to make a decision
Looking down, face turned away----- Disbelief
Biting nails----- Insecurity, nervousness
Pulling or tugging at ear----- Indecision
Know what pairing and playing with body language makes YOU portray.
hmmm. I don't think I can really disagree with this, but I do have a question about it.
First off I would really like to state my extreme displease with you; with the fact that you took (and who knows HOW you found it) a 'not-too-old' picture of me and posted it on PUA forums for everyone to make an example of. That really isn't nice, nor is it constructive for me...at least tell me I am the epitome of poor body language before you tell everyone else. Sheesh.
Now that I have gotten my emotional devastation out of the way, onto the good stuff. I have never really focused nor studied much on slash about body language. This is something i HAVE been meaning to do. However, just looking back on my social interactions - I am not sure how those listings can be accurate for everyone. Should I assume they just mean that in most cases thats what those "positions" portray?
I find that I do a lot of those; not because I am feeling that way, but because they are bad habits, or because things like a.) my nose itches a lot, b.) rubbing the back of my neck is soothing, and c.) I like to make eye contact, but I also love looking around.
So I am wondering, how can I have such great social interaction with such negative body language? Even if the body language is not affecting "me," is it still something I should work on?
I'd like to point out something in support of the body language though also.
Ka noted (as a lot of people would agree), it is not about what your intentions are, but how they are perceived. If I am just a confident (but a sometimes fidgety person) this does not mean I am not confident and that I am uncomfortable; but it will come off as that.