Did you know that your body language makes up more than half of the impression you make on others?
That’s a big part of your feminine image as a crossdresser or transgender woman!
Body language comes down to four key elements: your posture, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to develop bad body language habits that can undermine a poised and polished appearance.
In this blog post, I’ll share 27 MTF body language mistakes to avoid when presenting yourself as a woman.
27 MTF Body Language Mistakes to Avoid for a Flawless Feminine Image
- Slouching
- Constantly checking your phone (this is a biggie!)
- Biting your nails
- Rummaging through your purse
- Crossing your arms
- Fidgeting
- Shaking your leg or tapping your fingers
- Not smiling
- Scanning the room while speaking with somebody
- Talking too much with your hands
- Exaggerated nodding
- Examining your teeth or face in public
- Applying makeup in public (other than a quick swipe of lipstick)
- Resting your chin on your hands and elbows
- Sitting with your legs apart
- Clanging your silverware
- Avoiding eye contact
- Eye contact that is too intense
- A weak handshake
- Clenching your fists
- Standing too close to people
- Chewing loudly
- Talking while you eat
- Eating or drinking too fast
- Bending towards your food instead of bringing the food to your mouth
- Leaning forward too much
- Leaning back too much
Phew, that’s quite a list, isn’t it? Some of these might seem obvious, but let’s be real – we’ve all witnessed these behaviors in public!
Are you making any of these mistakes? If so, don’t feel bad. (I’ve had to work on some of these myself!) Instead, resolve to improve them.
For fun, do a “body language study” the next time you’re out in public. Notice the subtle actions that enhance or detract from people’s images.
Can you think of any other habits that should be added to this list?
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please share in the comments below.
Love,
Lucille
P.S. Ready to discover more tips and tricks to be your most polished, feminine self? If so, you will love my FREE 3-part Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
I’ve probably done a bunch of those!
And somehow I thought I was freeing myself from the gender binary but actually I’m hearing more rules than before. As a male the rules were basically to act tough and non-caring, pass gas and fix anything mechanical. But now I gotta relearn how to eat, walk, speak, dress, smile and even bend over. Almost like being in the military, except in the military, you don’t have to smile.
Yes, smiling in the military is frowned upon.
That was punny wasn’t it?!? LOL
As always Morgan it is good to read your comments and see your smile. I hope things are going well for you.
Hugs and smiles,
Jenny
Do I need a spanking?
Only if like getting spaked
Reminders to oneself is always helpful. I’ve lived 3 years full time since my transition. Mostly it’s all about time and place. If I’m on a date at a fine dining, yes indeed. If I’m out at a sports bar with lots of men around, I let things go a bit. My only advice is to always be yourself. Self confidence is everything. Posture though is important. Something as simple as standing with your legs together is helpful. You’d be surprised how simple that is. And it instantly reminds you to pay attention to other things.
Nothing is sexier than a confident woman, said Mai West!
I agree with some of them, but not with some others. I am full time as a woman for some decades now, and I have only cis women as friends. and almost all of us make do some of the things you see as failures. trying very hard to avoid them makes you seem to be artificial and coming across to be phony.
It would result in actually the opposite of what you try to achieve.
some of the described things seem to be typical male (I never had acquired those, because I did not live in a male roll long enough, but others are simply human behavior, and are done among females as well.
Great notes. For me, some of these definitely come from my years as a special education teacher. For example, when I finally get a minute to chat with a colleague about somethinng, but have to keep an eyes on the kids. (It helps that we’re both scanning the room at the same time.) Eating too fast because they’re hardly any time to eat after we finally sit down from helping all of them, only to bounce back up two minutes later. The phone constantly blowing up because one of them did something and we all have to diffuse the situation.
Still, they could use some improvement.
Ima pretty lucky that i’ve had a lot of practice and help with these things. I know i struggle with the posture and smiling big time. i just cant smile on command it has to be genuine usually from me laughing or something. i think a big thing is to think about is we are all different people with different cultures and this is meant as a guide not to be rigid per say. for example im from a rough background and im into gothic culture and a lead vocalist in a metal band it wouldn’t make sense if i was all prim and proper. be comfortable and be yourself.
Many of those gestures give an expression that you are nervous and you are not what you pretend to be. Real women do those but TG person should learn to avoid them, if you want to draw attention to your nervousness which can lead to to be revealed as a guy in a dress.
This list sure helps me to be better woman.
Exactly right. We need to portray confidnce.
Just one proposal–
If picking up something off the floor, maybe a handbag:
Bend at the knees and go down gracefully and do not bend over at the waist
Do not bend over at the waist
“ bend at the knees and keep the knees together as you go down gracefully”..
Great suggestion. My roommate noticed that one for me and has me practice that one many times. I am so grateful for the many Cis-Woman that give us the support and suggestions as they notice some of our flaws and help us to improve. It is almost comical in our house, I am the girly girl and my wife is a woman that has more masculine traits than I.
A few more–do’s as opposed to don’ts: Always walk in a straight line; keep both feet aligned to the center, as if you were walking a tightrope; always keep your elbows close to your body; keep your eyes wide open when smiling; if possible, turn your whole body, not just your head.