For an activity that requires silence — at least, intermittently — it is only normal that a lot of nonverbal clues will be dropped when eating, especially while with a group. However, you want to ensure that your body language is not painting you in an unflattering light to others. For example, according to Sales Force, refusing to keep eye contact with the people you are having a meal with is an etiquette mistake you shouldn’t be making. It could send off signals that you are an untrustworthy person, or one who lacks confidence. These are two traits that can undermine you as a person.
How you sit will also send nonverbal cues. Maintaining an upright, straight-backed posture is good for conversation at a table as the other people at the party will be able to see that you are attentive to what they are saying and that you are taking them seriously. If you lean forward, that’s even better for really engaged conversations, as that is a sign of being deeply interested in what the person has to say.
Tapping your feet can be interpreted as being fidgety and having wild hand movements when speaking may throw people off-balance, via Fast Company. One cue that is difficult to read is when you keep your head and chin balanced as opposed to being tilted to the side or bent inward, Sales Force notes. So, if you want to keep a poker face next time you are at a meal, you know how to achieve that.
