How they react the moment you walk in

The first two seconds of a meeting are the most honest part of it. Before anyone has decided how to act, their face has already answered the question.

How to read it

A real lift is involuntary and fast: the eyebrows, the voice going up, the whole body turning toward you. It happens before the greeting rather than during it. If you are going to watch one thing, watch the gap between them noticing you and them saying hello.

Nervousness looks different and counts the same. Someone who goes slightly stiff, talks too quickly, or suddenly needs to keep their hands busy is not indifferent. Indifference is smooth.

When it means nothing

Warm people are warm at the door for everybody who comes through it. Watch them greet whoever arrives after you. If nothing changes, the greeting was about them rather than about you.

Your move

Turn up once when they are not expecting you. Rehearsed warmth and real warmth are indistinguishable when somebody has had five minutes of notice.