Observe baseline behavior before judging changes
Watch facial expressions for micro-shifts
Notice eye contact patterns and blinking rate
Pay attention to posture and body orientation
Track hand gestures and fidgeting
Listen for tone, pace, and volume changes
Compare words with body language for consistency
Look for signs of comfort, tension, or resistance
Notice how they react under stress
Identify what topics energize or drain them
Observe their boundaries and how they enforce them
Pay attention to what they avoid saying
Watch how they treat different people
Notice patterns in their decision-making
Listen for repeated phrases and habits of speech
Pay attention to timing in responses
Watch for shifts when specific subjects come up
Notice whether they seek control or avoid it
Observe how they handle disagreement
Track whether they are direct or indirect
Notice if they mirror your behavior
Pay attention to inconsistencies over time
Ask open-ended questions and listen carefully
Let silence reveal what they choose to fill
Focus on patterns, not single moments
Verify assumptions before drawing conclusions