inquiring meerkat inquires

[lagilman]

I freely admit to judging people (especially men) by a) if they own their shit, and b) if they can be amused by their shit, especially if they do it in a graceful fashion (ex: RDJr vs Charlie Sheen). When I hold to that standard, I find I am rarely disappointed in a person.

What sort of 'tells' do you have, when observing someone new? How accurate is it?

Comments

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

I look for how they treat other people; how they listen; if their conversation is about the subject or about themselves; how they treat animals; and if they do what they say they'll do, when they say they'll do it.

I look at how they look at other people. There's the difference between looking at someone and "observing" them, as if they're something inferior to be condescended to. (Not saying this well; sorry) Physically, it's pulling the head slightly back, sitting open and unengaged, cutting off the other person's sentences, acknowledging someone's remarks (when in a group) with a nod, as if giving permission to speak or dismissing their contribution--either way making it clear that they have the power, not someone else.