On this page we’ll reveal how to show intimidating body language for when you need to stand up for yourself. We’ve already revealed how to tell if someone is intimidated by you and how to tell if someone is trying to intimidate you with angry body language , so on this page we’ll look at how to stop looking intimidated and how to respond to people who are trying to intimidate you.
Intimidating Body Language
There’s a sad fact to life that people who go around looking for a fight go looking for an easy fight. The sharks attack the weaker fish, not the stronger ones. That’s great if you’re a big guy, but what if you’re short, thin and look like you might struggle to tear open a bag of chips?
Thankfully the sharks are pretty dumb. Provided you’re able to show intimidating body language, they’ll assume you’re no pushover and will go on their merry ways.
Here are some ways to show intimidating body language to get rid of those would-be predators.
Intimidating Body Language Gestures and Signs
You’ll likely see those working in security an in criminal justice law enforcement use these body language gestures to show authority.
Show intimidating Body Language by ventral fronting: Your natural impulse when you feel attacked is to cover your chest, privates and throat. It’s a logical defensive position, but it’s also a position attackers will look for to know that you’re scare of them. If you stand with your arms at your side unflinching, they’ll wonder why you’re so damn confident and leave you alone.
Show intimidating Body Language with Silence: Refusing to acknowledge would-be attackers by not speaking to them is one great way to show that you’re not concerned. If somebody has an issue with you, look at them briefly, say nothing, then turn back around. They won’t know what hit them.
Show intimidating Body Language by Raising an eyebrow lazily: Be cautious with this one because it is cheeky and will piss them off but it will also show that you couldn’t care less how tough they think they are. Just look up at them and raise a lazy dubious eyebrow as though to say, “Yawn. . . what?”
Note: The idea with this intimidating body language is not to actually get in fights as surely we are above that. We just want to show intimidating body language so we don’t get pushed around and so we have respect. Here are some ways to show intimidating body language while preventing physicality.
Don’t clench your fists: You don’t want to show any fighting body language. You want them to know that you’re above that, so don’t clench your fists or you may find they hit you just in order to land the first blow. Your best bet is to use neutral hand body language which looks unconcerned.
Speak lowly and slowly: Keep your voice in control, speak slowly and lowly, as though you have all the time in the world.
Make them feel dumb: You can make people feel pretty stupid without directly offending them by very quickly making a confused face then returning to neutral. Remember, they’re looking for fear, if you look at confused at them then show you don’t care they’ll immediately realise how dumb they’re being (presuming they have the intellectual capacity to realise anything, that is).
Do what you would do anyway: Say you’re at a bar and a guy’s got an issue. If you refuse to acknowledge them and do the exact thing you’d do if they weren’t there (drinking, for instance) they’ll feel powerless as they have had zero effect on you.
Bottom line, don’t be moved. The kind of moron who has an issue for no reason loves to gain attention. They need you to look intimidated or respond to them to make them feel big. Don’t give that to them and they’ll feel about two inches tall before running off with their tails between their legs.
Note: This is for times when you haven’t really done anything wrong. If you’ve truly offended someone you should have the courage to face the fact and apologise. Plus, if they have a legitimate reason to be mad at you, they won’t turn away so easily.