Does body language really tell us about individual personality? While it doesn’t provide a complete personality profile, it does suggest clues that are important to understanding people. The general posture of the body, facial expressions, tone of voice, reactions to criticism and disappointments are clues to the essential character of another.

For example, let’s examine the body language of a person who is self-centered. This all-too-common trait can range from conceit to full-blown narcissism. When we meet these types of people, their general body language is haughty and condescending. Remember, these people have convinced themselves that they are better than others. Behind this presumption is a deep fear that others may discover a vague character flaw. As a result, they make up for it with an air of superiority.

Arrogance is expressed through proximity to others. Vanity does not like closeness; rather it needs distance to express self-imposed supremacy. Vanity disdains competition and prefers to differentiate itself. For the purpose of comforting the ego, the conceited person turns away from others and expresses the “I’m better than you” look. If someone is ever slapped or hugged on the back, it seems forced and inauthentic. Sometimes they surround themselves with one or two servile or manipulative people out of an arrogant need for admiration. These supportive cast members tend to offer solicitous statements and shield the conceited from criticism. Other members of the support cast for the insecure are the family. In public, these people are safe, as they have learned not to find fault with the conceited. Without your defense, the narcissist will react to criticism with immediate shock, then anger, followed by a verbal attack on the critic, and then withdraw from the situation.

Designer clothing and labels are a must for many arrogant people. Appearance is used to promote the image of perfection. Their grooming can be impeccable and they tend to place great importance on attractiveness. The true narcissist is often quite uncomfortable with those who do not meet an artificial standard of flashy appearance. After all, they cannot tolerate the slightest imperfection and this includes the people around them. They fight a losing battle as they attempt to control all aspects of their immediate environment in order to develop an absolute standard of impeccability.

Aging becomes the contrast of the arrogant. The incessant march of time affects physicality and youthful appearance. The wisdom of experience is lacking, and vanity ultimately results in isolation or bitter family relationships. As the later stages of life unfold, unless wisdom supersedes conceit, body language gradually shifts to dejected dejection.