Body Language of The Head Drop or Head Beckoning
Cue: Head Drop or Head Beckoning.
Synonym(s): Beckoning With The Head.
Description: Occurs by first establishing eye contact, then lowering the head followed by quickly and deliberately snapping it backward as if to say “Hey you, come over here.”
In One Sentence: Head beckoning is a way to call on someone to come closer.
How To Use it: Use this nonverbal expression in order to informally draw someone closer. A quick flick of the head back shows other people that you want to call them toward you without being overt. Often this cue can be delivered inconspicuously such that it goes unnoticed by other people.
Context: a) General b) Dating.
Verbal Translation: “I’m tossing my head backwards because I want you to come over and chat.”
Variant: The head might be snapped to the left or right as if to say “Let’s get out of here.”
Cue In Action: Dave saw a cute girl. After establishing eye contact and smiling, he tossed his head back inviting her over. She smiled, blushed and lowered her eyes. After chatting with her friend, she decided to come over.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Done as a replacement signal to the finger beckoning and is more subtle especially when the desire is to be secretive, mysterious yet authoritative.
For this reason, the head drop has been adopted by male pick-up artists with limited success. Head beckoning is most suitable when it would be inappropriate to yell such as a busy, crowded area.
Cue Cluster: The head drop is coupled with eye contact and smiling.
Body Language Category: Authoritative body language, Courtship displays, Dominant body language, Guiding body language.
Resources:
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