You’re probably familiar with the old adage that communication is only 7 per cent verbal and 93 per cent non-verbal, that is expressed through body language. Body language alone speaks volume about the state of a relationship.
Hence, it’s worth paying attention to how you and your significant other interact nonverbally – it can shed much light on emotions and thoughts you might not be fully conscious of. Because body language isn’t always easy to read, here are some of telling gestures you can take note of, illustrated by our favourite celebrity couples.
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According to Harvard social psychologist Amy Cuddy, when your shoulders are tense and hunched, it could reveal insecurities towards the relationship. Relaxed shoulders, on the other hand, signals a strong bond.
In this picture, Hong Kong’s biggest celebrity couple, Carina Lau and Tony Leung, who have been together for nearly three decades can be seen striking a happy pose with their shoulders touching. This shoulder-to-shoulder pose could mean they work together as a team in their relationship and are presenting a united front to the media.
Photo: Carina Lau/Instagram
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When you lay your head on your partner’s shoulder or chest, it is a very sweet and romantic gesture that indicates trust. Most body language experts like Terri Orbuch, Ph.D., a professor at Oakland University in Michigan and author of the book, “5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great” agree that this gesture shows that you want to be close to your special someone and you want to be comforted by him or her.
Local actress Joanne Peh shows the ultimate sign of trust by leaning her head on her husband and fellow actor Qi Yuwu’s shoulder. She knows that he’s got her back both emotionally and physically.
Photo: Joanne Peh/Instagram
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Couples who withstand the test of time listen to each other – Just take it from this golden couple. In this particular image, Christopher leans in while talking to Fann. Men don’t typically direct their bodies towards one person, but will if they are interested according to body language experts like Susan Quilliam.
Photo: Fann Wong/Instagram
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Judging from this celebrity couple’s postures and hand movements, it appears that they work together as a unit. Radio jock Jean Danker has her arm wrapped around her husband and fellow radio jock Glenn Ong’s shoulder, ensuring he knows that he’s cherished. According to author of “SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions Body Language”, Patti Wood, putting your arm around your partner demonstrates your affection for him or her.
Jean’s torso is also tilted towards Glenn, almost like she’s letting the world know that he is her man.
Photo: Jean Danker/Instagram
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When it comes to radio jock Jamie Yeo and her husband, this is a couple that we all aspire to be like. Jamie Yeo tied the knot with her Tinder beau, Rupert, 10 months after meeting the British corporate risk management consultant on the dating app.
They are proud parents to a four-year-old daughter and baby boy. Judging from their body language, there is little doubt that the pair is truly in love. In this picture, it almost looks like they are slow dancing.
Rupert has his arms wrapped around Jamie’s waist, while Jamie wraps her arms around his neck, harkening back to a school prom dance kind of love. According to Happiness and well-being author Kulraj, this kind of hug is typical for young love or early stages of a relationship. If you’re still hugging in this way years into a relationship, it certainly means the flame is still very much alive.
Photo: Jamie Yeo/Instagram
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Local supermodel Sheila Sim and her husband, Deon Woo, tied the knot after being engaged for slightly more than a year. The couple reportedly met through the cult dating app, Tinder. Check out this story to find out more about how they met. If you take a gander at photos of the couple, you would notice that Sheila’s hand is often placed firmly on Deon’s lap.
This could indicate that Sheila is often there to offer her support for him. According to Blanca Jiménez Cobb, a senior instructor at the Body Language Institute in Washington, DC., when we rest our hands on the lap or knee of our special someone, it means that we feel deeply connected and protective of our partner.
Photo: Sheila Sim/Instagram
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Most body language experts like Hedwig Lewis, author of “Body Language: A Guide for Professionals” agree that our feet typically point in the direction they want to go – so it’s a good sign if someone’s feet is pointed towards you. Celebrity couple Janet Hsieh and George Young have often been spotted in this pose. This good-looking pair first met on set of a commercial. George was appearing in the commercial while Janet was a model with the same agency that represented the former. The Eurasian model-actor based in Singapore and the Taiwanese-American host based in Taiwan stayed as friends for 10 years before getting together.
In 2015, the couple tied the knot in an exotic wedding among penguins in Antarctica. Two years later, the duo became proud parents to a baby boy. In this particular photo, George has his foot pointed towards Janet and his arm on her waist. This shows that they are headed in the same direction in their relationship.
Photo: Janet Hsieh/Instagram
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Taiwanese singer Ella Chen’s husband, Malaysian businessman Alvin Lai, is keeping Ella close – so close that his left side is slightly overlapping her body. With his arms draped around her shoulder, he is subconsciously shielding her from real or perceived danger. From this picture, it’s pretty clear that Ella loves feeling protected by her man.
Photo: Ella Chen/Facebook
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