Especially in Business Meetings
Do you do it? This head tilting thing that makes you look like Scooby-Doo saying, rut-ro?
In my informal observational-survey, women are more prone to doing the headĀ tilt than men. Why?
Iāve been aware of it in myself since high school. In too many pictures in the senior yearbook, there I am. My hair is draped over a shoulder, head tilted the other direction. Obviously, it took a long time to break the habit.
What Does the Head Tilt Mean
The Forbes article linked to above provides some answers. But letās just talk here. What do you think the head tilt means? Spend the next week watching people. Tell me if you witness the head tilt more in men or women. Or if you arenāt seeing it the way I do. How many times do you feel yourself tilting one way or the other? During what types of conversations do you see the slight dip of the head to one side happening?
Why Did I Start Head Tilting
I wonder if it was some Cher-attribute from her show with Sonny. Didnāt she impact any number of us young women growing up in the 70s into wanting long, shiny, straight hair? Isnāt that why Jackie had me iron her crazy curls from time to time? Hey, young women when I say āiron,ā I mean IRON; not flat iron, but ironing-your-clothes-irons. Now thatās some work. Pain was sleeping with that long hair of mine in a rubber-band on the top of my head with huge curlers on either side of my head so my hair would be straight. Maybe I had to tilt my head to make up for sleeping flat on my back all night long. What were we both thinking? Cher could have been responsible for the head tilt, too.
Watch Dogs
If you watch a dog study something quirky, sheāll tilt her head one direction. Then maybe sheāll tilt the other way. Your pooch is trying to decipher what sheās seeing or assess why a human would do such a peculiar thing.
For Yours Truly
In myself itās a bit more complicated than simple being strange. I think I do it as a non-verbal bit of submission. As if Iām backing down from a possible confrontation. Or trying to make myself appear less opinionated or strong-willed. I have a lot of opinions and stubbornness!
Do I look that way to the person sitting across from me? Hmm, good question. Let me know what you think if I tilt when weāre talking.
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Read: Acceptable Business Communication
Read: Do you see the unseen?
I’ll have to start observing. ,,,, and do some internet research. Now I’m curious about it!
PLease let me know what you find. š
I’ll be paying attention more to “The Tilt”. One thing I liken this to is head bobbing. This is known as a sign of weakness and I’ve worked hard to remove it from my arsenal of body language. It happens when someone is talking and the other is listening with a constant nodding. Bobble-head dolls have their place, just not on MY shoulders!
Good point on the bobble-head trait, Patty. I’ll have to pay attention this week to see if I do that!
I think I do the head tilt when I am really concentrating on what someone is telling me. So, know that when I do the head tilt, I’m paying attention!
I agree, Seester. So I guess there is a very good time for the head tilt to be used!