If you've got an hour-and-a-half to kill, this is a great History Channel documentary on the body language of Presidents, world leaders, and other people. It's quite interesting to see how body language reveals the truth when often the words do not.

P.S. I recommend watching this on "full screen" by clicking the icon on the far right.

IMO, too much can be read into body language.

I disagree. I think body language tells the complete truth about what a person is thinking and feeling, if you know how to do it correctly. Why don't you watch the program, then come back with a critique?

So if we're talking and I cross my arms am I being defensive or am I cold? or both? or neither and am recovering from a dislocated shoulder?
Or if I can't look you in the eye am I lieing? or do I have Duane's Syndrome?

The body language has to be taken in context. It depends on the situation. If you're being asked a lot of questions, then the crossed arms would mean you're putting up a barrier and being defensive. If you're being asked a lot of questions, and your arms were at your side, then that would mean you feel you are in the right and have nothing to hide.

Again, watch the video. Walking through a doorway means nothing. But watch where the Prime Minister of Israel and PLO leader literally fight over who goes through the door first. (Going last means one is in control.)

Shaking hands means nothing at first. But watch how world leaders maneuver themselves for the camera so that they are on left of the camera. If they are on the left, that means their hand is on top for the camera, which means they are in control.

Watch the body language of FDR and Winston Churchill at war's end, and you'll see who knows they are the new world leader.

Care to answer my questions?

I did answer your questions. I said, it has to be taken in context. Care to watch the program?

Again: You can't just take a snapshot of someone and ask what it means. The folded arms has to be taken in context.

Walking through a doorway means nothing. But watch where the Prime Minister of Israel and PLO leader literally fight over who goes through the door first. (Going last means one is in control.)

Shaking hands means nothing at first. But watch how world leaders maneuver themselves for the camera so that they are on left of the camera. If they are on the left, that means their hand is on top for the camera, which means they are in control.

Watch the body language of FDR and Winston Churchill at war's end, and you'll see who knows they are the new world leader.

Watch when Bill Clinton looks in the direction he is pointing with his finger. (He's telling the truth.) Then watch where he looks in one direction and points in another direction. (There's disconnect, he's lying.)

And if there are no cameras?

The program talks about that too. In one clip, a woman was pretending to cry when her son disappeared. It was obvious that she was faking the tears. Turns out she was the murderer. Standing next to her, her husband was in tears. He was truly saddened by their disappearance.

But when they played just an audio clip to people, most people thought she was truly sad.

Similarly, most people who watched the televised debate between Kennedy and Nixon thought Kennedy won; but people who listened on the radio thought Nixon won.

This tells us that to fully gauge what a person is thinking and feeling, we need to see them and know the context of the situation.

Interesting to kmow that Harper is in charge viv-a-vis Obama.
Photo says so... unless one reverses the photo or... unless it's a different occasion where Obama is in charge.
As I said, I still think one shouldn't read too much into any single thing. You pretty much proved that yourself by allowing for context, for example.
If context isn't provided one can be seriously in error and make a wrong decision.

I have an immediate distrust of someone who won't look me in the eyes while speaking to me. Conversely, I am uncomfortable if anyone looks into my eyes for "too long". I don't know why.

When I had staff to supervise, I had to force myself to keep my hands at my sides in a relaxed position when I needed to correct them. My first impulse was to cross my arms (confrontational).

Body language is very interesting. Serious poker players can explain about "tells" and will study all of their opponents to learn them. I am a great poker player! I always look innocent (or honest, I'm not sure) or am hiding a delightful secret. Opponents tend to think I'm bluffing. I have won probably about 80% of all the hands I've played...in the past. My first hubby's friends refused to let me sit in on a game after I decimated them a couple of times. I don't play now.
Luck plays a part too, but skillful playing and not overthinking a hand is useful. I never cared enough to sweat it.

I'll watch the video when I have the time. Probably this weekend.