1) Your feet give away your thoughts

Do you ever get the feeling that the person you’re talking to wants out of the conversation immediately? You might have realized it on a subconscious level but were unable to put your finger on it. Next time you get that feeling, look down. If the person’s feet are facing toward you, you have nothing to worry about; they’re grounded and engaged in your conversation. If they’re shuffling their feet, or are pointing them sideways or away from you, they’re trying to tell you they have somewhere to be, and likely aren’t listening to a word you’re saying.

2) Don’t fall for gradual commitment

“Hey, can you hand me that pen? While you’re up, think you can toss me that notebook over there? Man, I have a lot to do, could you help me with this project that’s due tomorrow?”

Notice how the speaker in this example started with a pretty simple request, then gradually built up to asking for a much bigger favor? This is what psychologists call gradual commitment. Essentially, it means you’re more likely to do a large favor for someone after having completed a few smaller favors for them directly, before being asked (or tasked) with the larger one. Watch out for it. (Or use it on others. But you didn’t hear that from me.)

3) The unreasonable first request

On the other hand, people are often likely to complete a task or favor if they are first asked to do a much more difficult task. Your boss asks if you could come in Saturday to get some extra work done, which, of course, you don’t want to do. He sees the hesitation in your eyes, so he asks if you could at least stay an hour later today. Obviously, you’re much more likely to do that than give up your Saturday. Little did you know he never wanted you to come in on Saturday anyway, and was just making it easier to ask if you could stay late today. And you played right into his hands!

4) Get more information from a single question

This works best on your children, but it really works with anyone. In fact, police officers and investigators use this trick all the time when questioning suspects. Whenever you ask someone a question, keep quiet and maintain eye contact after they give their answer. Chances are, they’ll take this as a cue that you’re waiting to hear more and will volunteer more information on their own volition, thinking that you won’t stop looking at them until you hear more. Like I said, you’ll get your kids to admit to a lot more with this trick!

5) Chew gum to keep calm

Various studies have shown that chewing gum reduces physical and mental stress, which in turn affects a person’s overall well being. I know when I picture someone chewing gum, especially in what should be a stressful situation, I picture them with a devil-may-care attitude. But I always imagined the gum to be part of the attitude, not the potential cause of it. One possible theory as to why chewing gum calms the nerves is that it simulates eating, and your body knows if you’re eating you must be in a safe situation; if you were in danger, eating wouldn’t be a top priority.