COVID-19 Has Changed the Dating Game and How We Communicate When Looking for Love

Body Language, Communications & Confidence Coach Karen Donaldson explains what facial expressions and body language means in the virtual dating world

April 20, 2020 (Toronto, ON) – COVID-19 and social distancing have changed the dating world for singles looking for a relationship, those who are just starting one and couples living apart. “We are now in extended courtships with phone calls, texts and video chatting being the only way to build a relationship,” says Karen Donaldson, Body Language, Communications & Confidence Coach. “But for many people, especially millennials, who are used to quick texts or activities such as watching movies to fill the communication void, coming face to face in a video chat or carrying on a phone conversation can cause a lot of anxiety and stress.”

According to a recent Time article, singles in self-isolation are spending more time than ever on dating apps looking for love or companionship. Bumble Canada has seen the number of video calls more than double. Match group, which owns Tinder and Hinge, is planning to add a new video chat feature. With the camera showing your every move, Karen offers her body language expertise on what facial, gesture and body language is saying to the other person.

General Flirtatious Body Language Cues for Both Sexes 

Fast blinking

Blinking is a natural human function, however the speed that a person blinks is very telling. Blinking slowly is a sign of disinterest. Fast blinking is a sign of stress, but potentially good stress, excitement or nervousness.

Mirroring

It’s the act of mimicking or mirroring another person’s movements. This is done to quickly build rapport and bond.  If you want someone to “like” you, calmly mirror their movements.  Make sure to not mirror movements right away, otherwise you’ll look awkward and draw the wrong type of attention to yourself.

Blushing

When someone blushes, this is a simple uncontrollable physical reaction to an excited emotional state. 

Body Language That Says She’s Into You

Brushing Hair Off Her Face

This movement is a combination of nerves and flirtation and it’s a showcase of her feminine side. It’s a move that says, look at me.

Titling of The Head

It shows that she’s interested and listening, and in dating situations, it signals vulnerability.

A Continuous Smile

If a woman continuously smiles at you, more than likely she's interested in you. Smiles that cause crinkles at the side of the eyes are genuine smiles.  Look for the eye crinkles.

Lip Biting

If she bites her lower lip, if even for a millisecond, that’s a tell-tale sign that she’s interested.  It’s a showcase of seduction and sexual attraction.

Sideways Tilting

The head is a sign of interest. The tilted head exposes the carotid artery on the side of the neck and may be a sign of submission and feelings of vulnerability.

Body Language That Says He’s Into You

A quick lift of the eyebrow

This is a sign of attraction. Essentially the quick eyebrow lift allows more light to reflect off the eyes, so they appear bright and inviting. Now, if his eyebrows remain slightly raised while you’re talking it means he finds you fascinating. 

A genuine smile

If he delivers a genuine smile where his entire face and eye muscles are engaged, he’s happy to be there in that moment. Moreover, if he smiles at your every word and the continuous smile is genuine, your presence is making him happy.

He touches his throat

The throat area indicates communication and vulnerability. If he touches his throat, he is subconsciously signaling that he wants to talk more intimately with you. He may be worried about saying the right thing.

Signs That They Aren’t Feeling You

Closing or consistent rubbing of the Eyes

When someone rubs or closes their eyes for longer than a blink, they’re trying to escape.  They’re trying to keep out visual cues from entering their mind, usually trying to escape from something that is undesirable.

Scratching of the Nose

If someone scratches their nose as they speak, or right after they’ve said something, chances are they are lying.

One side of the Mouth is raised

This micro expression is telling you that they don’t want to be there and are not interested. This micro expression rests on the person’s face as you speak.

Karen can expand on these points and explain additional gestures. She is available for Facetime/Skype, Radio and Print interviews. 

Karen Donaldson is a Best-Selling Author and Certified Confidence Coach with over 20 years of training and experience in self-leadership, personal performance, motivation strategies, presentation and public speaking skills. She has worked with some of North America’s biggest corporate teams (ING Direct, University of Toronto, Proctor and Gamble, Manulife Financial, Government of Canada) and is the secret weapon behind many high-powered CEO’s, celebrities, senior managers and politicians.

Karen has appeared on Breakfast Television, CTV Toronto, CTV News Channel and is a regular Body Language contributor to Cosmopolitan, Women's Health Magazine and Bustle.

Website: www.karendonaldsoninc.com