Reading People
By TexanTornado
@TexanTornado (5573)
United States
October 14, 2015 3:26pm CST
It is said don't judge a book by it's cover. You shouldn't judge a person by their looks alone either.
However some people are easy to read. Sometimes the reading can be good and you continue to read to learn and discover more. Other times, it's better to keep the chapter closed.
In my opinion, I have always been pretty good at reading people. Within a chapter I can usually tell if I wish to continue or not. I have been wrong a few times.
Are you good at reading people? Have you ever been wrong in your reading?
27 people like this
32 responses
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
14 Oct 15
Wrong in a good way, or wrong in a bad way? Meaning you didn't give them a chance and they turned out to be a good person, or you gave someone a chance and they turned out to be not such a good person. The latter I find to be the worst of the two.
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
14 Oct 15
@jaboUK Ah yes, sometimes it's the judging the book by the cover scenario.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
14 Oct 15
@TexanTornado I actually meant that I didn't like the look of them to start with, and they turned out to be nice people. Of course it has happened the other way too.
4 people like this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Oct 15
I think I'm pretty good at reading people (not so much online though . . . only because I can't really see them). I must say I'm rarely wrong (ask my Hubby!). But I often wish people would prove me wrong as I don't like to think ill of anyone - somehow they always prove me right! 
9 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
14 Oct 15
Oh yes, you have a point there, to look into a persons eyes and read their body language can help so much in reading someone. It is a bit harder to do online, but we (or I have) find other tattle tale signs to use to try and read someone.
5 people like this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Oct 15
@TexanTornado Yah, there are clues in the way people say things and how they react. I know a lot of people have gotten the wrong idea about me online (well, in real life too - ha ha - but I suspect I am pretty hard to read). But like you said, I like to look at people's eyes and body language - and the way they deal with other people.
5 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
14 Oct 15
@much2say Online can be a bit harder for people can interpret things in a way that it wasn't meant. So I can understand exactly what you are saying there. I myself have a hard time articulating my words at times. I know what I wanna say, but it doesn't come out as I want it too. Yes, I am all about looking someone in their eyes and reading their body language. It can speak volumes if you pay close enough attention.
4 people like this
@allknowing (130195)
• India
15 Oct 15
I move with the flow without bothering to read through and if they are not right for me some incident will show up and when that incident shows up that is the end of my interaction with them real or virtual.
6 people like this
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
15 Oct 15
And yet you still put up with me after all these years.
3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
So what you are saying is you take them as they are, until they give you a reason not to? *nods* Yes, I am about the same way. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, until they give me doubt, and then I move along.
3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@purplealabaster It could be she is being careful of the thorns and isn't able to get close enough to read the underlining leaves. 
3 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
•
15 Oct 15
I never judge a book by the cover.. I watch people from a distance.. it takes time for me to get close to someone.. I am good at making choices and I usually don't make too many mistakes there.. I do have a couple of terrible mistakes to my credit though.
5 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
There is nothing wrong with observing and then forming an assessment of a person. I'm not one to judge someone based on their looks, class, race, gender. I am more into reading their mannerism, how they portray themselves, etc. I think we have all made a wrong conclusion about someone in our life.
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@sofssu I know exactly what you mean. Once you get burnt once, it does make one a bit more cautious afterwards.
4 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
•
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado Nothing wrong at all.. That is my nature I am cautious and picky because I trust people easily.
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
14 Oct 15
I tend to be the same way. Perhaps it's vibes I get more than anything. I could be wrong in jumping to conclusions but I tend to listen to instincts. Yes, you are right some people you have to peel back the layers, sometimes it could be a good thing and other times it could become a nightmare.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
14 Oct 15
I have always been a good judge of character. I have known too many phonies and can spot them a mile away. My mother always taught me never to trust anyone who was too sweet. However, I try to keep an open mind when meeting people, and have often been pleasantly surprised or not!
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
14 Oct 15
You stated a very valid point about someone being too sweet. It falls in line with 'if something is too good to be true'. Keeping an open mind is a good way to go about it.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I usually can read a person pretty well but yes I have been wrong a time or two. I once met a lady through another friend and thought to myself I don't want her for a friend but she ended up being a truly great friend of mine and I came to have great respect for her and valued her friendship. That is how wrong I was on that occasion.
3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I think we all have at one time or another. Oh yes, sometimes people tend to be different with other people, or with others around. It sometimes takes being one on one with someone to really be able to read the person for who they truly are. I am glad to hear that the case turned out well for you in the end.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
15 Oct 15
I feel that I could read others easily. The way they speak, their gestures, their facial expressions, movement of their body parts, movement of their eyes, their gait, their sitting posture, command over language, how they express themselves.
I observe all the above things very carefully and I could read a person sitting in front of me.
3 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado If two persons are talking, I simply observe them and listen to their conversation intently to 'read' them.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@dpk262006 Yeah, it's good to sit back and observe at times. It also give you the chance to watch their body language more closely.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
Yes, some people are quite easy to read and all the things in which you mentioned can help us to read them like a book.
3 people like this
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I used to think that I was pretty good at reading people, but now I am not so sure. I have been wrong, of course, but when I go with my gut, even if the "logical signs" point to something else, then I am usually right, although I really cannot explain why it happens like that.
3 people like this
@purplealabaster (22094)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado I like the term "players". Some women try to avoid guys that they think are "players", but I actually enjoy some of them. At least with them you know what you are getting, while other guys are just the same but try to hide it and deceive you.
I like the term "players". Some women try to avoid guys that they think are "players", but I actually enjoy some of them. At least with them you know what you are getting, while other guys are just the same but try to hide it and deceive you.3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@purplealabaster I do have to agree with you there. Some can be quite a bit more deceitful and manipulative that the true truly colors take a bit longer to see.
3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I think for the most part we have all been wrong at some point. I tend to follow my gut/instincts myself. I have only been wrong on a couple occasions. I mark it up to they were some good 'players'.
3 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
15 Oct 15
I can but still, I prefer not to read people. The reason is that many a times, I can read words but the meanings of the words vary a lot. Humans are quite complex a species. A mere smile can have different meanings and implications depending on the scenario. A person who is good to me, may not be good to others. So it all gets as complex as it can.
2 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado In that scenario, I trust almost everyone. I feel that a stranger will not harm me because I have not harmed him/her. Sometimes this has been proven wrong, but then, in a majority of cases, it has been easy.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@thesids You sort of have a point there. Seems more often than not a person is harmed by someone they know and even love. Their are certain circumstances that surround pretty much everything in life.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
Yes, the interpretations of words especially on the internet can have different meanings. I think for the most part we base things on how people are with us, our interaction, etc. that we will base our assessment of them on. People have different ways of interacting with the different people.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
You like to poke and prod and peel back layers before come to a conclusion?
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11120)
• Malaysia
15 Oct 15
I think I'm quite good at reading people, I've been right about several people that I know many times. I'm not saying I'll never be wrong though. Some people's true colors aren't always easy to see.
4 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
Oh that is all so very true. In some cases it takes a little longer for a persons true colors to shine through.
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
15 Oct 15
I have actually often been good at judging a book by it's cover, have a good feel for quality, not always right, just most of the time.
3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
*nods my head* Yes, I know exactly what you mean.
3 people like this
@JaneApril (334)
• Philippines
15 Oct 15
Lol . I use to read or judge people .. but whatever it is that I think about him/her, I always keep it only to myself. I also don't base on my judging when treating people. I try my best to get along well to avoid conflicts.
3 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@JaneApril Yes, I totally agree with you there. I am a firm believer in the Golden Rule.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I think everyone has a tendency to form opinions of others. It's a natural human instinct. I can be cordial with just about anyone, but doesn't mean I will be 'friends' with them all.
2 people like this
@JaneApril (334)
• Philippines
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado
True.
Also, treat others the way you want to be treated.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
15 Oct 15
No I am never wrong..I can tell all the time about people whether to trust them or not or how they treat others, but i try to give chances and stupidly it always comes back at me..when will i ever learn?
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado I agree with your intuition..I just give too many chances..
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@Rosekitty Oh wow. Sounds like you might get used quite a bit. I will only give a person a second chance, then cut all ties. It goes along the lines of 'fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me'.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I think for the most part we use that thing called intuition. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt 95% of the time and then go from there. However if I get a bad vibe from them from the get go, then they stand absolutely no chance. Could I be wrong, yeah, but that is just the way I work.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159609)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Nov 15
People can be very complex. Some are very open and others are not. I am pretty good at reading people. Some people close to me seem not to be and it really bothers me at times
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159609)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Nov 15
@TexanTornado ...Charade is right. Yes, those close to us getting the wool pulled over their eyes by unsavory types really fries me. But they have to learn.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Yes, some people can be complex, while others seem to be nothing but a charade. Yes, I don't much care for the people close to me, to be taken in by the wrong type of people.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
25 Nov 15
@celticeagle I have to agree with you, but it seems to chap me a bit more then if it was done to me.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
15 Oct 15
used to think i was, found out later not so much. critters 're purty good 't readin' folks 's well 'n i wish i'd listened to 'em more oft than not.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
Sounds like you been burnt a time or two? Yes, critters tend to have a 6th sense about them.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@crazyhorseladycx I have never been fond of people who use/abuse others. Oh I have no doubt of that about the pup. I have known quite a few dogs that will instantly take to someone or freak out over them.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado yes ma'am, 'least that many times. those critters're purty smart. 'd a big ol' pup who was most keen with such matters.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
15 Oct 15
I am usually good at reading people, I told my friend I had a feeling her boyfriend was not the faithful type, and not long into their relationship, she found out he was cheating on her. I have been told I am difficult to read though.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I find some people are simply too easy to read, and normally they out to be not such good people. I would say I am about average to read, but only if I want someone to read me.
@Rationalwriter (1813)
• Lucknow, India
15 Oct 15
I am a good reader. Just by a few responses given to me by the people, I can get a god sense of where they are headed. What I do is I keep myself neutral in a conversation so that the real self of the person in front of me can come out.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
Ah yes, it's sorta like giving a person enough rope to see if they will hang themselves (figure of speech).
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@Rationalwriter *nods* Yes, I understand completely. I have done that a time or two. Especially when I have a bad feeling about them to start with.
1 person likes this
@Rationalwriter (1813)
• Lucknow, India
15 Oct 15
@TexanTornado HAHA!! Pretty much yes!!
2 people like this
@wilson247 (30)
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
15 Oct 15
Yea i try to read people but i don't get it sometimes. Humans are so complex creatures that it takes loads and loads of experience and timeless interactions to know how we act and re-act to things.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
Yes, humans can be complex, I give you that. However, I don't think it takes timeless interaction to discover if you will/have a connection with a person or not.
2 people like this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@wilson247 If you mean online, then yes it's a bit more difficult. Online it deals more with their mannerisms then anything.
1 person likes this
@wilson247 (30)
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
15 Oct 15
Timeless interaction here means constantly being around the person. 'cos place, time and distance changes people. Hope you can see the difficulty in holding it down for someone.
2 people like this
