Body Language of Removing Eye Glasses Body Language
Cue: Removing Eye Glasses
Synonym(s): Glasses Removal, Eye Glasses Removal, Taking Off Glasses, Sucking On Eye Glasses, Eye Glasses Tossing, Cleaning Eye Glasses, Eye Glasses Cleaning.
Description: Removal of the eyeglasses.
In One Sentence: Removing the eyeglasses is a signal that one is looking to buy extra time, or an activity requiring them such as reading, has ended.
How To Use it: Remove the glasses in a business setting when you want to buy some time for reflection. After removing the glasses, you can buy even more time by wiping them down. This can be used during important negotiation to break tension and provide time for the other party to rethink and possible add extra incentives.
Removing the glasses and tossing them aside is a great way to show other people that you are done evaluating and that you are prepared to accept or reject a proposition. The way in which it is done, lightly, or forcefully but casting them aside, can tell others if they need to sweeten their offer. For more emphasis, rub the forehead to show how hard you are struggling to reach a conclusion.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: a) “I’m removing my glasses and cleaning them because I’m trying to stall for time.” b) “I’m removing my glasses so I can avoid seeing things I find distasteful.” c) “I’m removing my glasses because I’m thinking things over and am not interested in receiving any additional information.”
Variant: See Eye Glasses Language, Sunglasses Body Language and Peering Over Glasses.
Cue In Action: a) It was a heated negotiation. Dave was focused with his eye glasses tucked right up to the bridge of his nose. He kept them there while he read the contract. When someone spoke out of turn, he lowered them to the tip of his nose and peered over the top. This made the junior member uncomfortable forcing him to quiet. b) Mid way through, Dave took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes showing his distress. When someone added more input he cut them off, removed his glasses, and put them on the desk. He thought for a moment before putting them back on. He continued with a few more questions. Once answered, he removed his glasses, folded them up and tossed them aside. Sensing things were not going well, they added a bonus clause. Dave recovered his glasses and began to clean them, while contemplating the addition. As he sucked on the arm of the glasses, he put his arm out and shook the hand of the associate – they had a deal.
Meaning and/or Motivation: While in discussion can mean distraction, disinterest or a stalling technique depending on the context (see Cue In Action for eye glasses used in sequence to show thought process).
If eyes become focused on another person while cleaning the glasses, it might spell overt displeasure or passive aggressiveness. If glasses are removed and cleaned when they do not need cleaning at all, it might be read as stalling. The same goes for glasses that are repeatedly cleaned, especially during a difficult negotiation.
Taking eyeglasses off and sucking on the arms indicates pensiveness as someone processes information. Glasses removal indicate that a person does not like what they are seeing and need time to contemplate it by not accepting any further stimulus from the visual spectrum.
Removing the glasses is a form of eye blocking because it cuts vision off. If eyeglasses are put back on and a decision has not been reached, then it’s likely that a person requires more information.
Eyeglasses are sometimes removed when people don’t want the attention to be on them, a sort of checking out gesture. Other times glasses are tossed on a desk haphazardly to show distain, rejection, and negative thoughts. If glasses are removed and folded up, it often signals that a meeting is over.
Cue Cluster: Cue clusters can be as varied as the intent of the message. See the Cue In Action for likely scenarios.
Body Language Category: Amplifier, Buy signals, Eye Language, Indicators of disinterest (IOD), Indicator of interest (IoI), Pensive displays.
Resources:
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