You’ve probably been at a party or gathering where you spot someone standing alone—arms crossed, eyes scanning the crowd and maybe a slight frown on their face. At first glance, they may seem distant or unfriendly, and you might instinctively decide to keep your distance for a while. But later on, if you finally talk to them and find out they’re kind, chances are, you’ll probably realize they’re just a little shy and what you picked up on wasn’t their personality—it was their body language quietly speaking for them.
To avoid being misunderstood in the same way, it’s important to know subtle body language habits that give off a bad vibe without you even realizing it.
That’s where psychologists Dr. Caitlin Slavens and Dr. JJ Kelly come in. With their expertise, they help reveal the small, often-unnoticed signals people send out into the world (through gestures, posture and expressions) that may be quietly shaping how others see them. By becoming more aware of these behaviors, you can learn to communicate more clearly and authentically, letting your true self shine through.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re unintentionally giving off the wrong signals, you’re not alone. It happens to people all the time—in everyday life, and even with characters we see in books and movies. Across all ages, we carry invisible patterns—tiny, unconscious gestures that quietly send messages we never meant to share. The good news? Awareness is the first step you need in order to change. By tuning in to your body language and making minor, intentional adjustments, you can create a more open, approachable presence.
Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This ‘Rude’ Habit in Public
9 Body Language Habits That Give Off a Bad Vibe Without You Even Realizing It, According to Psychologists
1. Too Much or Not Enough Eye Contact
“Avoiding eye contact might just mean you’re shy or anxious, but it reads as either disinterest or dishonesty, which can give off a bad vibe to those who don’t know you. People often interpret it as ‘this person isn’t engaged,’ even when that’s not your intent,” says Dr. Kelly. “That normally happens because people are wired to look for connection—and if your eyes are darting away, that connection gets lost. However, on the flip side, if you’re locking eyes too hard, it can come across as domineering or even creepy. That intensity might not match the context, and that mismatch creates tension. Eye contact is great—but aim for mutual, not maniacal.”
Related: 22 Surprising Phrases That Make You ‘Instantly Unlikable,’ Psychologists Warn
2. Crossing Your Arms
“This action can look defensive and make others feel a bad vibe form you without you realizing it,” Dr. Slavens says. “A lot of people cross their arms out of habit or comfort, but others might read it as ‘I’m not open to this.’”
Dr. Kelly agrees, telling Parade, “Yeah, it’s a classic—arms crossed equals, ‘I’m closed off.’ It can signal defensiveness, judgment or a lack of willingness to connect. Sometimes you’re just cold, but body language speaks volumes, whether you mean it to or not, so keep that in mind.”
3. Yawning
“Yawning gets misinterpreted all the time,” Dr. Kelly explains. “When you yawn during a conversation or at an event, people think you’re bored, which is why it can give you a bad vibe—but clinically, I see this as a cue that your nervous system is overwhelmed. Yawning is actually a self-regulation tool! I encourage clients to let the yawn rip—it helps release tension. No offense taken here.”
Related: Psychologists Say These 9 Habits Make You Seem Insecure Without Realizing It
4. Looking Around
“If you’re looking at the floor or ceiling and someone notices you doing it, it can make you seem like you don’t want to engage or aren’t confident in what you’re saying. That behavior can give off a bad vibe to whoever you’re with,” Dr. Slavens shares.
5. Tapping Your Foot
“Tapping your foot can give off a bad vibe even if it’s just a result of being anxious or having impatient energy,” Dr. Slavens tells Parade about this common behavior.
“This is normally a ‘nervous energy’ move, but it can feel like you’re just waiting for the clock to run out to others. It makes people feel like you’re rushing them—or worse, not wanting to be there. Self-awareness helps here so you don’t give off a bad vibe to others,” Dr. Kelly adds.
Related: 12 Habits That Give Off a Bad Vibe Without You Even Realizing It, According to Psychologists
6. Forced Smile
“If your smile doesn’t reach your eyes, it can come off as fake, and that makes any connection that was being made feel insincere and give off a bad vibe to someone,” Dr. Slavens shares with Parade.
Dr. Kelly agrees and adds, “Humans are deeply intuitive—we know when a smile is fake and when your face says ‘yay,’ but your tone says ‘nah,’ people feel uncomfortable and think you’re giving off a bad vibe. It hits that gut-level mismatch and makes folks pull away.”
7. Nervous Laughter
“Let’s be real: most people don’t even know they’re nervous laughing in a situation when it happens, so they don’t realize that it creates a negative vibe,” Dr. Kelly says.
Dr. Slavens points out, “Sometimes we laugh when things get uncomfortable. Though, too much of it can make people feel like you’re brushing off serious things.”
8. Weak Handshake
“Fair or not, people still associate a limp handshake with being unsure of yourself and giving off a bad vibe. It’s an outdated read in some ways, but in face-to-face settings, strength in presence still matters to some people,” Dr. Kelly tells Parade about this behavior that can be interpreted the wrong way.
Related: ‘I’ve Been an Etiquette Expert for 13 Years—Here’s the #1 Phrase to End Small Talk Without Making It Awkward’
9. Hands in Pockets
“You might not think your hand position can alter how people perceive you, but it actually can. Keeping your hands in your pockets can make you give off a bad vibe unknowingly because it makes you seem guarded or uninterested, or off,” Dr. Kelly expresses. “People feel safer when they can see your hands—it’s a nonverbal signal of openness.”
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Sources:
- Dr. Caitlin Slavens, psychologist
- Dr. JJ Kelly, psychologist
