Reading people, explained
Evidence-based, plain-language writing on social cues — the psychology research, the body-language tips that actually hold up, the cues people miss, and honest reviews of other resources.
Every article cites its sources and flags where the popular version gets the science wrong. The aim isn’t to help you “read minds” — it’s to help you notice more, guess less, and check when it matters.
The Liking Gap: People Like You More Than You Think They Do
After a conversation, most of us quietly assume we came across worse than we did. The research says that assumption is systematically wrong — and it warps how we read other people’s cues.
Facial expressionsThe Seven Faces Almost Everyone Recognizes — and the Micro-Expressions People Miss
A handful of expressions are recognized around the world. Here is what the research really shows, where it gets oversold, and how to read faces a little better.
ResearchWhere Did “93% of Communication Is Body Language” Come From? (And Why It’s Wrong)
The famous 7–38–55 rule is one of the most-repeated statistics in communication. The studies behind it are real — and almost nobody quotes them correctly.
Body languageFive Body-Language Tips That Actually Hold Up in the Research
Most body-language advice is confident and unsupported. Here are five tips that survive a look at the evidence — with the honest caveats attached.
Facial expressionsThe Cue Most People Miss: A Real Smile vs. a Polite One
The difference between a felt smile and a social one is written around the eyes. Here’s what to look for — and why it’s a probability, not a lie detector.
ConversationThe Quiet Signals of a Good Listener (and the Ones That Say “I’ve Checked Out”)
Listening has a visible, audible structure — tiny signals, near-instant timing, and the steady proof that someone is actually with you. Here’s how to read and send them.
ResourcesWhere to Actually Practice Reading People: Books, Tests, and Tools Worth Your Time
A short, honest field guide to resources for building social-perception skills — what’s free, what the evidence says, and what to be skeptical of.
ConversationWhy Practicing Social Moments Out Loud Works (and How to Do It)
Rehearsing in your head is better than nothing — but saying it out loud is what actually builds the skill. Here’s the research, and how to practice well.
Reading about cues helps.
Practising them sticks.
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