Lowering Reading Glasses and Looking at Someone Can Mean Several Different Things Depending on the Facial Expression

Alain de Pouzilhac, President and Director of Aud-iovisuel exterieur de la France that owns France 24, looks on at a press briefing.

Here we can see he is amused because of the smile; but imagine if he had anger in his eyes- it might remind you of a parent scolding a child with an expression.◦

Lowering Reading Glasses and Looking at Someone Can Mean Several Different Things Depending on the Facial Expression

Holding a Prop for Comfort

When we hug a pillow, or even hold our arms in a self hug, it is done to provide self comfort.

Whenever you see self comfort with a prop, there is an emotional reason for this gesture.◦

Holding a Prop for Comfort

Adjustment of Glasses Always Has Meaning

MOSCOW, RUSSIA. JULY 11, 2010. Opposition leader Eduard Limonov appears at a conference where The Other Russia coalition was transformed into a new political party of the same name.

Does the person want to:
- look better
- see better
- is nervous
- is playing with a prop
- wanting to appear smart
- wanting to divert attention

Always play attention to this and any other fiddling with props.◦

Adjustment of Glasses Always Has Meaning

Holding Purse to Protect Oneself and Provide Comfort

Coleen Rooney attends Ladies' Day at Aintree Racecourse on April 9, 2010 in Liverpool, England.

Watch the size and position of props, it will signal the level of comfort.◦

Holding Purse to Protect Oneself and Provide Comfort

Rep. Barney Frank's Props or Gestural Slip?

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 3: Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill November 3, 2009 in Washington, DC. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) held the news conference to speak to reporters about the pending mark up of regulatory reform legislation for the American financial industries. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images).

Glasses are props, and we will fiddle with them when bored, to draw attention to them (instead of the conversation) or ourselves. We could clean them when we are hearing something we do not like...

Notice what finger stands out as he adjusts his glasses? Yes the naughty one... If you wear glasses be sure to not push them up on your nose with this finger... at the very least it could send a message you do not want to send.◦

Rep. Barney Frank's Props or Gestural Slip?

Bill Clinton and Glasses

Sep 9 2009
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who serves as the United Nations special envoy for Haiti, speaks at the Security Council as Haitian Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis (R) looks looks on September 9, 2009 in New York, New York. Clinton visited the fledgling Caribbean country in July to assess how best to support the government in its recovery efforts and its national development. With an annual estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of 390 U.S. dollars per person, Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Glasses are considered props in the body language world. Props are an inanimate object that can build image, is something that we can hide behind, and is generally an accessory.

Now Bill is no spring chicken anymore and does have to use reading glasses, but everybody has a way with reading glasses. Some put them on and off only when they are reading, others will play with them, or excessively clean them, and still others, like Bill leave them on all the time.

When you see someone remove his or her glasses, and repeatedly wiping the lenses when her glasses are not needing cleaning, you may be right in thinking that he or she is stalling for time.

If he or she then sucks or chews on the earpiece, she’s unconsciously indicating that she’s seeking reassurance.

I think Bill does so because studies have shown that people wearing glasses, whether male or female, are perceived as intelligent, knowledgeable, conservative, and genuine.

Bill has consciously created a perfect post presidency image that positions himself as an advisor and statesman who can give speeches, attend symposiums, and help all around the world.◦

Bill Clinton and Glasses