What makes a guy look "tough"

**Dizaster** · 03-05-2008 09:15 AM

I was just thinking about this earlier today as i'm studying body language as part of this whole pickup thing, and I think body language is HUGE in how other people see you.

Now you know when you just see those guys who really look like the can handle themselves.. Not because of tattoo's or a big leather jacket or huge muscles. There is just something about him.
I've thought of a couple of things. He doesn't look too serious or too happy. He might have a little bit of a cool smile, but you know he's taking things serious.. Even if their is shit going on around, he looks and stays completely cool. Doesn't make sudden movements to look around at stuff that is going on. Stands or sits up straight.. Not in a stiff way, but just like, he's not trying to shrink as if making excuses for his own waste of space... But at the same time, he's kicked back and relaxed. Not like, beer belly couch pototo kicked back, but like, a MAN in his favourite chair at home, reading a newspaper.
A BIG one, he isn't afraid to hold eyecontact.. Not staring or eyeing you down, but when you catch site of him and you lock eyes, he still looks completely relaxed and unphased.. He doesn't look down or away unless as if something else has caught his attention.
I'll hand it over to you guys for anything you can think of to add.
I've got 2 examples of situations i've been in lately where I think body langauge has played a big part in how i've been perceived by other people, and I find it a very interesting subject. I'll post about those in a little while.

**donnydarkoIRL** · 03-05-2008 09:25 AM

I've no idea of anything definite, but I've got my own opinions.

In boxing opponents always find it disconcerting when receiving the gloves instructions you stand pretty still and make eye contact. As you turn away look as if you let out a giggle and guys don't tend to rush in then.

I thnik you touched on some other areas there too...Just looking aware but never jovial.

**Dizaster** · 03-05-2008 09:48 AM

That's good... Yeah the moments before a fight are great examples. Some fighters like Mosely etc aren't big on the staredown, but they look serious and ready for business.. Almost a little overly relaxed, but you can see he's not going to give you an inch.. Some fighters stay very still and look powerfully at their opponent.. Usually the other guy will try to mirror it as well to show he's not affraid. I remember before Floyd v Hatton, their were hundreds of comments on what their body language was saying at the various press conferences.. Boxers are definetly great examples of guys who have that look without really trying to do anything.

Another weird example I thought of it as well was horror movies where they have one killer like "when a stranger calls" or "the shining".. When they have shots of the killer standing still, they are usually in powerful stances and look quite serious, but with a sly small smirk... Even if they smile, they still have very serious eyes which tell you the mean business, but the smile shows that they also don't "care" about the situation to much.
Then the even bigger exhageration of the body langauge is when they have to "chase" their victim.. The victim is always franticly darting from door to door or down halls trying to get away, but the killer just walks powerfully. You very very rarely see them running or looking phased at all. The just move seriously, purposefully, and usually not very fast. The slower that the director can have them appear to be moving and still catching the victim, the more intimidating and scary the killer looks.. I always thought that was a cool aspect of how they get that killer to appear more threatening..