Body Language of Nasal Wing Dilation or Nose Flaring
Cue: Nasal Wing Dilation or Nose Flaring
Synonym(s): Nose Flaring, Flared Nostrils.
Description: The wings of the nose flexes and flares as if taking in a big breath of air. However, they often remain fixed in place in a more permanent fashion.
In One Sentence: Flared nostrils signals a negative thought pattern and aggression.
How To Use it: Use flared nostrils to show others that you disapprove of them or their ideas. By responding to someone with flared nostrils you can tell them that what they have said is not appropriate or that you disagree. As it is close to disdain, it can be potent. When done at the sight of someone, will tell them that you don’t like them and they are on your bad list.
Flaring the nostrils is a great way to tell others that your aggression is rising. Thus, use the signal to tell others to correct their behaviour before you lash out at them.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: “We’ve probably got a problem on our hands, time to load up on oxygen as we might need to fight or take flight!”
Variant: N/A
Cue In Action: His boss came down hard on him and prodded him until he neared his breaking point. His nose flared and his fist balled up. One wrong step and he was fully prepared to act out his aggression.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Nasal wing dilation is part of the fight and flight response because it tells us that someone is actively oxygenating their bodies in preparation to do something important. Our bodies consume oxygen during work, and we can get our bodies ready by loading up hemoglobin which is the carrier of the oxygen molecule, just in case it’s needed for an intense bout of work. As people get ready to fight, their chests can be seen rapidly expanding and contracting as if panting.
Sometimes though, nasal wing dilation is actually in response to doing something physical, be it to move a heavy sofa or taking to a flight of stairs. Other times, nostrils flare when aroused by a potential mate who is seeking to take up an alluring scent laced with sexual pheromones.
However, as mentioned this cue can be very important in certain context as it may provide clues to potential aggression. School aged children should learn this nonverbal cue early on so as to diffuse aggression by bullies.
Cue Cluster: Aggressive body language can happen by clenching the fists, finger pointing, loose or tense body, jaw clenching, quivering lips, frowning, furrowing, lowered eyebrows, dilated pupils, squinting of the eyes, crotch displays, sneering, hands on hips, leaning in or shrinking the distance, flushing,
Body Language Category: Amplifier, Arousal, Aggressive body language, Anger body language, Emotional body language, Hostile body language, Microexpressions, Microgestures, Negative body language, Threat displays.
Resources:
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