Body Language of the Peek-A-Boo Game
Cue: Peek-A-Boo Game (the)
Synonym(s): Hide and Seek, Eye Hiding.
Description: a) An adult game found in dating and romance where eyes are hidden from view with objects such as menus, drinking glasses, and even other people only to amuse and delight with their reappearance. b) A game played between baby and parents or amongst kids.
In One Sentence: Peek-a-boo is fun game that helps bond people together.
How To Use it: Parents and children play the peek-a-boo game most readily by hiding from sight only to suddenly reappear. The temporary absence creates sadness, and upon reappearance, that turns to excitement, surprise, and therefore relief.
Adult lovers can also play this game to good effect. However, this is best done with the help of props such as menus, the hands, moving around pillars or around the corner (in a bar or restaurant). When done correctly, the game appears childlike, but can create real romance and attraction.
Context: a) Dating b) General.
Verbal Translation: “I’m playing coy with you by hiding my eyes from view and teasing you with their resurgence.”
Variant: See the myriad of language possible with the eyes under Eye Language (Category).
Cue In Action: a) The girl played coy with the boys. Often dropping out of sight only to return to view, smile meekly, and giggle. b) Mom and Dad took turns playing peek-a-boo with their 10 month old. He seemed thrilled when Mom peeked over the cloth. Baby would giggle hysterically.
Meaning and/or Motivation: In adults it is often sexual in nature primarily due to it’s throwback to childlike playfulness which is common in courtship. It is the absence of the eyes is made better with their resurgence.
a) Using barriers for negative reasons, such as to hide, are most common in nonverbal communication, but in the peek-a-boo game played by men and women, objects can be used to tease and arouse during courtship.
This is the case with “eye hiding”, which happens when a drinking glass, menu, or even people moving about a room temporarily put out of vision our object of affection. It can also happen by slightly turning away, or lowering the eyes coyly. Dropping the eyes out of sight or looking over the shoulder when done by women is particularly seductive. The loss of sight sends us into spells of worry, but when they suddenly reappear it sends our hearts racing with relief.
b) Small babies especially enjoy this game, sending them into giggle fits, and adults play along happily. When adults play the game with each other, it is only slightly more sophisticated.
Cue Cluster: a) Watch for other nonverbal cues such as smiling, laughing, touching, moving in closer, chasing, teasing, flirty eye contact, doe eyes, intimate gazing and so forth. b) You will see giggling and laughing, excitement and blushing.
Body Language Category: Courtship display, Childlike playfulness, Eye Language, Indicators of sexual interest (IOsI).
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