tune into her subconscious desires

When it comes to reading – and understanding – a woman’s encyclopedic body language, 70% of men are hopelessly illiterate, according to a recent study by scientists at Indiana University in the US. But just like male bowerbirds – who modify their courtship rituals based on the females’ precise body signals – you can learn to translate her secret metalanguage to ensure you’re always in control and one step ahead of her mood. Our body language experts have deciphered her most puzzling, subtle and easy-to-miss gestures so you’ll never find yourself making the wrong move again.

Toe the line
Look around you: there are women in flip-flops everywhere. Take advantage by checking for psychologist Marco Pacori’s “big toe erection” pointing straight upwards – a dead giveaway for sexual interest. Then check out somewhere a lot more private.

Watch her feet
Packed full of nerve endings (approximately 7,500 per foot), they’re your signposts to her feelings. “If her feet are pointing your way, she’s being sincere – and has got you in her crosshairs,” says body language expert Robert Phipps (robertphipps.com)

Zone in on her posture
Stress stimulates the central nervous system, raising her heart rate and tensing muscles – particularly the sphincter. This clenching automatically makes us sit up straighter, so a sudden improvement in her posture is a clear sign she’s uncomfortable with your flirtation.

Spot her hip swing
In the words of Shakira, the hips don’t lie. According to Phipps, hips thrust forward signals dominance, (warning: she’s angry). A one-hip tilt that accentuates her waist and slims her leg is a display of femininity. This woman is flirting with you.

Suss out her speech patterns
“Liars are more uneasy and tend to distance themselves by using general terms rather than ‘I’, and speaking at a softer level,” says Dr Richard Wiseman, a professor of psychology at Hereford University. So while a drop in tone can signal seduction, a sudden softening of volume is the sound of an untruth being told.

Track her movements
Women’s hair has a language all of its own. Catch her tugging her tresses and read “I’m uncomfortable.” Hair twirling however, is a primitive sign of preening that’s shorthand for “I’m yours for the taking.”

Read her lips
No matter what she’s saying, it’s her lip movements that do the real talking. According to Greg Hartley, former military interrogator and author of How to Spot a Liar (Career Press), the pressure of lying causes blood to be directed away from her mouth. So learn James Bond’s knack of spotting a double agent by her pale, cold lips when she kisses your cheek.