Body language signs to say 'I fancy you'

Are you paralysed with fear at the very idea of chatting a man up? Good, because you'd be wasting your time. Save your dazzling wit and conversational skills for later on, because 'I fancy you' is a message far better served in silence.

Psychologists reckon that body language accounts for more than half of our interpersonal communication, and flirting must be the ultimate example of actions speaking louder than words.

Most body language is unconscious, but a few tricks will soon put you in control of the messages you're sending out. Here are 12 wordless ways to get your point across.

1. Give him a double glance

Your eyes are your most powerful communicators, and meeting a guy's eye is the single most effective way to create an emotional connection with him.

The double-glance takes this emotional connection and turns it into a clear message of 'oh hello there!' You know what to do already: make eye contact for the first time, look away, wait a second or two, then look back at him. If he notices, he's heard you loud and clear - and if he holds your gaze and smiles, you could be in for an interesting evening!

2. Flash your eyebrows

Your eyebrows tend to rise and fall quickly when you set eyes on a guy you fancy. You won't usually notice it happening, but it sends a signal of interest to him, so become eyebrow-aware and add it to your flirtation vocabulary.

Don't be too calculating about it, though. If you lift your eyebrows for more than a second, you'll look a bit strange and your forehead will wrinkle.

3. Throw him a suppressed grin

A suppressed grin is like your mouth blushing - it says 'I like you, and I'm trying to hide it, but I'm deliberately not trying hard enough. What are you doing later?'

4. Look him up and down

When your eyes go for a quick wander around his body, you're giving a far more deliberate signal of interest. This will intrigue him, and he may start to mirror the gesture. No, let's be honest, he'll definitely mirror the gesture.

- Dr Pam Spurr's Love and Sex Advice