A basic understanding of body language, combined with verbal communication, can come in handy in almost every situation in your daily life. Here are some common scenarios in which body language can have a big impact, plus tips for putting your best foot forward while you watch what others around you are saying with their silent signs.

First dates. First dates are laden with body language signs that can help you gauge whether a person is interested.

"Men tend to talk a lot on first dates when they're interested in a woman," Wood says. "If you're interested back, make eye contact and listen."

If either person isn't interested and looks around the room and avoids eye contact, that's a sign that a second date isn't likely.

Other first-date tips?

"When men touch a woman on the small of her back to walk her through a door, that's a sign of confidence and interest," Wood says.

For women, it's the length of their touch that measures their interest. While short, less-than-a-second touches are appropriate, touches that are too long could convey an intimate meaning.

• Martha Beck's Flirtation 101
• How to be irresistible.
• How to get through to a man

Better information. Better health. WebMD