The body going rigid, a cheesy grin, avoiding eye contact or a hesitant pause; if you’re greeted with any of these after giving a present then you might want to offer to return it.
A new survey has found only one in fifty people would actually be brave enough to ask for the receipt for a gift they didn’t like, but, non verbal signs can give tell-tale signs that a gift has not been well received.
Half of all Brits admit to simply smiling and over compensating when they are presented with an unwanted gift.
But a thrifty 14 per cent start thinking about who they can re-gift the present to, while only one in twenty would actually be honest about the situation.
BuildMyGift.com, who carried out the survey, has worked with psychologist and gifting expert, Professor Karen Pine, to identify the non-verbal signs you need to watch out for on Christmas Day morning, so you don’t repeatedly buy unwanted gifts.
The one-look-is-enough
After unwrapping the gift the receiver spends very little time looking at it. The whole receiving process is over in seconds and all that’s left is silence.
The present tenser
The body stiffens in response to anxiety. The recipient’s body goes rigid when they get a bad gift. They look tense and stiff. On the other hand, a good gift will cause the body to visibly loosen into a relaxed posture.
The open-and-shut-case
After opening the gift the receiver places it out of sight, either putting it back in the box or hurriedly rewrapping it in the paper.
The lost-for-words
There is a hesitant pause and it takes the receiver a few seconds longer than usual to say anything. They are trying to find the right words, to not let slip how they really feel.
The gaze dodge
If they avoid eye contact with the giver and look away, at the floor, the door, or someone else that’s a sure sign the gift is a flop.
The phony smile
The receiver’s smile is clearly fake. It looks more like a cheesy grin, doesn’t engage the eye muscles and fades quickly.
The keep-to-yourself
The receiver doesn’t show off the gift to anyone else. If others ask to see it, it is offered up without enthusiasm.
The is-that-it?
The recipient removes the gift, puts it aside and searches inside the gift bag in the hope of finding something else.
Talking about how to avoid giving an unwanted present, Ras Deol of BuildMyGift.com, said: “A little thought goes a long way – even if it is just a stocking filler or secret Santa. If you’re not sure what they’d like don’t be afraid to do a little investigating; check out their social media or ask their closest friends.
“A good gift isn’t about spending a lot of money; it is about putting the thought and effort into buying something personal that you know they will love and remember.
“As well as making the recipient feel great, it will also give the purchaser a lot of pleasure to see a delighted reaction.”
For more information about www.BuildMyGift.com follow the company on Instagram (@BuildMyGift) or visit the website.
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