…Have you ever wondered if people were talking about you when you entered a room and they suddenly got quiet?

You’ve probably experienced the uncomfortable feeling of someone whispering behind your back when you go into a place. They might have been saying something wonderful, but perhaps they were being cruel and spreading rumors. How can you know for sure?

In any case, they probably attempted to deny it and act as though it never took place. But something tells you they were indeed talking about you. In fact, there are a few typical behaviors that you might observe in someone who did it.

While it’s important to avoid making snap judgments or presuming the worst about someone, their response and actions can reveal a lot about what really happened. Your suspicions might be confirmed by awkward body language, an odd hush in the room, or perhaps just a feeling in your gut that something isn’t right.

Do you want to know more about it? I have all the answers you need! Keep reading to discover a few body language hints that might indicate that someone is talking negatively about you.

1. The room suddenly got quiet

…This is the most obvious one! Let’s be honest for a second: unless they’re not preparing a surprise party for you, it’s understandable that the first thing that springs to mind when everyone gets quiet is that they were talking about you. 

When you go into the room, and you notice that everyone is tense, there’s probably a valid reason for it. For instance, when you walk into a room, and everyone is whispering, they all stop when they see you, and it’s easy to assume that the conversation was unkind and about you.

Although you might not want to do it instantly, it can be a good idea to talk to those you suspect, especially if you care a lot about them or if you’re required to spend a lot of time with them on a daily basis, such as at work.

2. They counterbalance

According to different body language experts, if someone is acting much friendlier than usual, it might be an indication that something is off. Someone might attempt to overcompensate if they’re discovered doing something wrong or if they’re unsure of what to do next. Be cautious and trust your instincts!

In an effort to cover the unpleasant things they said, they might try to show a friendly attitude towards you. It can be either some nice words or they might extend a handshake or even a hug.

On the other hand, it’s important to keep in mind that they might not necessarily be speaking ill of you. For instance, the reason why they might be acting friendlier than normal is that they were telling someone else that they were worried or concerned about you. Well, this one is cute!

3. They don’t make eye contact with you

Eye contact is not only for people who are in love! It can tell a lot about the true feelings of a person, so it’s more important than it might seem!

If you suspect that someone has talked badly about you behind your back, pay attention to eye contact. Do they turn their heads? Are they looking sideways in their direction? Or are they gazing at you longer than usual? These simple gestures can tell you more than you think!

According to psychologists, if someone was just whispering things about you, they might have a fear that you’ll soon find out, so they’ll try different things to make you think otherwise.

For instance, they can avoid making eye contact with you, or they can overcompensate and glare at you for a longer period of time than usual. They may also gaze more nervously at others in an effort to escape the cringe-worthy situation. Basically, if their eye contact feels unusual for them, that could be a warning flag for you.

4. They start fidgeting

Self-soothing habits and fidgeting are other red flags to watch out for. You probably have one or more anxious habits that you engage in when you’re under pressure, such as twirling your hair, biting your nails, or bouncing your knee.

Experts say that when someone is uncomfortable with you, they are more likely to start engaging in self-soothing habits, like playing with their earrings, fidgeting, rubbing their neck, or biting their nails.

For example, they might be anxious because they are now sitting face-to-face with someone they were just talking about behind their back. Here’s the thing: they might not realize the self-soothing habits they have, but if you know a few things about body language, you’ll be able to tell more based on their behavior.

5. They seem uncomfortable

Do you want to verify if your suspicion is true or not? Then here’s what you should do: try talking to the person you suspect and pay attention to how they react. Do they still appear uneasy? Is their behavior toward you something out of the ordinary, or do they quickly try to end or change the topic while turning to the others as they do so?

If you observe any of these actions, these people might be indicating nonverbally that they are suppressing something, are uneasy with you, and wish to avoid engaging with you. As you can imagine, those thoughts, although they didn’t say anything verbally, can reveal a lot to you.

6. They are quiet

If you’ve read any of our articles, you already know that we believe body language is a good indicator of what people really feel or think. So if you’re ever in doubt about what someone is thinking about you, their body language is a good indicator to watch out for, especially if you suspect that they’re gossiping about you.

They could cross their arms, legs, or ankles, or they might just shut up entirely, as psychologists put it. Besides that, they could cover their lips, fiddle with their clothes or jewelry, or shift their posture and sit a lot if they’re nervous, experts added.

However, it’s possible that their body language indicates that they’re uncomfortable with you for different reasons, other than gossiping behind your back. Do you know that Shakira said in one of her songs that hips don’t lie? Well, in our case, body language never lies!

7. The Panic Sets In

It’s hard to put this sign into words, but you’ll recognize it the minute you see it. It’s probably not a good sign if you enter a room and everyone scatters or seems startled to see you there.

Whether searching for changes in an individual’s or a group’s behavior, there is a specific way that individuals act, and it can tell a lot about their thoughts.

For instance, if suddenly, as you go up, people kind of scramble a little bit, then that is a clue as well. A person’s gut reaction to an unusual situation, such as a sudden flurry of activity, is usually spot on.

This means that if you have a premonition that some people aren’t being the nicest towards you, your gut will send you a signal about it.

8. Their feet aim at the door

I’ve never paid attention to something like that, but when I heard psychologists say it, I actually realized how right they are. When someone feels uncomfortable, their feet point towards the door.

For instance, if you suspect that someone was talking about you behind your back just a couple of seconds before you entered the room, you can find your answer by looking at their body language.

If they indeed discussed you, they might be metaphorically rushing from the room by pointing away from you and towards the door. It’s like their feet are pointing toward an escape.

When a person’s feet are pointed in the direction of an exit, it’s a good bet that their mind is actively considering possible ways out of the room they’re in. Even though they might not say anything, their bodies do what their minds tell them to, which is to get out of there ASAP!

9. They gossip about other people

Are you looking for a way to be sure if someone is talking negatively about you behind your back? Consider their background. Do they spread rumors about other people? Do they divulge information to you about others’ secrets? Don’t think that they’re friends with you and they won’t say anything bad about you to other people they talk to.

People are creatures of habit, and they typically repeat patterns. If you know that they’re not able to keep a secret, it’s very possible that they talk badly about you too. Consider cutting ties with someone if they have a history of being cruel, gossipy, or a little bit dishonest. Nobody’s life requires that kind of energy, trust me.

…Do you want to read something else from us? Check out this article! You’re going to like it: 5 Ways You Can Tell Someone Is Secretly Jealous Of You!