6 signs of love at first sight, according to a body language expert
Do you believe in love at first sight? A new study has found that most people believe it is possible.
A study of 2,000 adults found that 70% of people firmly believe that you can fall in love with someone the first time you see them, with a further 59% of people admitting that their relationships began with a case of love at first sight.
The survey, from Specsavers, also found that 19% of the relationships that began with instantaneous love have lasted for over four decades.
"Love at first sight happens when a hugely complex, computer-like process occurs in a matter of seconds, coming up with the emotional equivalent of a jackpot," body language expert, Judi James, says.
"Instant love is usually based on thousands of memories that accrue in our lives - all the ‘ideal’ personality traits, visual stimulus, and role models that we’ve got stored away will suddenly seem to be encompassed in this one person we’re looking at."
James adds that it all comes down to the eyes, and that our eyes ‘speak’ to each other in a "complex way that we often don’t even understand ourselves".
"The phrase ‘their eyes met across a crowded room’ is more than just a cliché, it really does happen," she continues.
"If your eyes meet and then everything else seems to signal compatibility, we really can experience love at first sight."
Among the survey respondents, 47% said that an overwhelming attraction was the most common sign they experiences, following by not being able to take their eyes off the other person (36%).
A third (35%) said they felt butterflies in the stomach, while 31% felt an immediate sense of comfort and ease.
So what are some clear signs that you may be experiencing, or have experienced, love at first sight? James reveals her top six indications, below.
Distance mirroring
"If you’re at a party or bar with friends, and you spot someone mirroring your pace and style of movement as you are chatting, this is a sign that they are falling in love at first sight," James explains.
Preening
Not like obvious peacocking behaviours, preening is composed of more subtle signs such as possible lingering touches to your hair, neck or shoulders which could also be an indicator of their interest in you.
The eye flick
James says the best flirtation signals all happen when they’re listening to you talk.
"Eye contact when you are talking, paired with their eyes flicking down to your lips and back to your eyes is another indicator of their interest in you, and could even be a cue for a kiss," she adds.
The ‘ignore’
"If they are engaged through eye contact for several minutes, then suddenly sit back and start looking around the room, they might be trying to regain your attention," James says. "This cat-and-mouse flirt ritual could be a sign that they are interested in you."
The ‘cat smile’
Cats smile with their eyes, James explains, so you should watch for an eye smile from your love interest.
"If someone is allowing their eyes to narrow and crinkle slightly in an eye smile, this softened expression registers flattering approval and attraction – it might be a sign that they are attracted to you and maybe falling in love at first sight," she adds.
The ‘eye drag’
"When you are looking at them and they begin responding with eye contact, if they are dropping their eyes and chin downward for a second or two, and then bringing them up while reinstating the eye contact and smiling softly, this is a strong indicator of their interest and maybe something even deeper," she explains.
Additional reporting by SWNS.
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