Hey guys,

Just an interesting observation I thought I'd share. Do any of you remember that scene in the matrix when Neo follows Morpheus on a crowded street? Did you notice how people seemed to get out of Morpheus's way and just bump right into Neo? Well, there is a very famous shopping street in London called Oxford Street where it happens all the time.

Well, crowded streets are an excellent place to practice body language. If you project enough confidence and dominance, people will naturally get out of your way. It's a great indicator of how good a job you're doing.

So, for the newbies: look directly ahead of you, lift your chest, wear your 'I just bench-pressed the world' smile at all times and keep your hands out of your pockets. Pay special attention to the pockets - it's fairly cold around here, so pockets seemed like a natural place for my hands to keep them from freezing, but somehow as soon as your hands are concealed, people start bumping into you like crazy.

Needless to say, once you figure out what works, that's how you ALWAYS walk from then on.

Enjoy.

This is completely true, great post. This used to happen to me a lot in school, people bumping into me and what not. Though over the last few years I've been more forward in my projecting confidence and what not and people really will get out of your way.

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If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything.

Hands in jacket pockets don't matter that much.

It is important to keep your feet straight while walking don't walk like a clown. Move your shoulders from one side to the other while you walk and Do not forget to move your arms. Arm goes the opposite way the leg goes! if you do it the same direction people think your a robot as for your butt, squeeze the cheek of the leg that is on the ground. don't be afraid to look like a girl. Women find it very sexy when a man squeezes the buttmuscles while walking.

Also, Alpha males walk like this, Look at rapstars, Ballroom dancers. weightlifters.

This explaination comes from David Deangelo's Body language series.

actually, i wouldn't pay any attention to the arms, just relax and they will 'move' the right way. Seeing guys walking around with stiff shoulders and arms is the worst thing. Trying to look all macho and stuff.

Well the problem is that in this computer age a lot of guys don't learn what is natural. People spend too much time in front of their desk and not nearly enough time out with other people to learn normal body language.

Yeah, too many people think it feels weird when their arms move around. I have been thinking on this more and more whenever I walk around while I work. In my job, I'm the shit, I know what I know and I'm an authority figure, so I walk around with a swagger. My shoulders roll and it causes my arms to swing in time with my legs. Right arm goes forward when you left leg goes forward. When you do it right, you start smiling, just because it feels so damn powerful and you know you're on top of the world, your whole body gets into it.

As for people walking into your with your hands in your pockets, I'm pretty sure that that's because when you do it, you are keeping your arms tucked into your body to stay warm as well. Soon as you hold your arms against your side, you look submissive and like you will back down to anything,cause you're backing down to the cold. You're hands can stay in pockets, but keep those elbows out. Not straight out, but more than 45 degrees. Keep moving those arms, whether or not you have your hands in your pockets. I'd say this is actually a good way to learn how to swing your arms properly, cause you don't want to be swining them way out, like they pendulums, you're just putting a bit of swing into them and with your hands in your pockets, you can't go any further than that, so you learn what is correct easier.

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"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

Hmmm... squeezing the buttcheeks is something I have yet to try out. As for the hands, yeah, you're right, when I'm cold I usually keep them in my trouser pockets, so the elbows are tucked in.

I went out yesterday and I actually got complimented on my 'moving through the crowd skills'. I'm seeing the girl next week .

I'm relly curious what your opinion is on the amount of social proof walking the right way can generate - whenever someone moves out of your way, that immediately slots them below you in terms of status - clearly a good thing. Any thoughts and/or comments?

I wouldn't squeeze your butt together. It makes you tense up and look uncomfortable and awkward.

Being an alpha male walking through a group will obviously impress those around you and gain respect. Ever seen the Matrix? Remember the scene with Morpheus and Neo walking through the crowded street right before the girl in the red dress? Everyone is walking straight into Neo and he's getting knocked around, he looks like a chump. Morpheus has the crowd parting for him and everyone is impressed by how powerful and commanding he is.

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"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

Two small tips I'd like to contribute:
1) Don't just let your hands dangle at your sides, hold them up away from your body just a little, as if you are grabbing as much room without actually lifting your arms.

2) Walk with your chin up and eyes forward, walk in a straight line. When I'm walking down the street even couples will separate themselves to step around me. NOTHING moves you from your stride.
Give the impression that even the trees will step aside to let you pass (without of course actually walking into them, though I'd love to hear about that on the news)

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http://www.solomonseagal.com

Anyone can walk into a bar and pick up a random girl.
The trick is to make the experience unforgettable to her.
A real PUA will make every women he encounters feel like she experience something once in a lifetime.

I tried that once actually....

Pines are much easier to move out of the way cause of the soft roots, but don't even fuck with Oaks....

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"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

What do you guys think about walking speed? slow, fast, etc?

I read somewhere that you should walk slower than you normally would, and walk with a swagger that shows that you're confident.
-Titan

You want to walk at a comfortable pace. Not too fast, or slow. I walk faster than most people, but I'm not rushing about, I'm just striding, or get into a good ground eating swagger (I can't believe I fucking said that...).

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"The 'Brick Walls' are there to allow you to prove how badly you want something!" ~ Randy Pausch

~ Rye

Yeah, keep the chin high up (but PLEASE don't overdo it) and look straight ahead. I usually don't make eye contact with the people I want to move out of my way (especially if it's a couple). As for the hands, try touching your thumb to your index and middle finger (for those of you who feel awkward with your hands). That's something DeAngelo mentions, and I also got it from a salsa instructor. As for speed - I really don't think it matters that much, fast or slow, as long as you're comfortable with it. But to reiterate my last question, how much social proof do you think you create by having people move out of your way? My perception is A LOT, but I'm very interested in your insights as well.

I agree that it definitely gives you social proof to have others move out of your way. Not only that but it makes you feel powerful and confident when people part for you. I paid special attention to it walking to class and my confidence vibe just goes way up.