mp072004 -> RE: What does a sub look/sound like? (3/5/2007 7:17:21 PM)
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You get to agree to serve and obey one or more people without presenting submissively to the world at large. But there are submissive and dominant social behaviors. There are cues that you can use to present yourself as more authoritative, and, while I haven't thought systematically about it, it is quite possible that the behaviors that hinder the presentation of authority would assist in the presentation of deference. Clear, articulate speech can signal dominance. Dominance for beginners: stand up straight, walk purposefully, chin up, look people in the eye. Speak slowly and deliberately, and enunciate syllables with some precision--but not exaggerated, of course. Lowering your voice may be helpful. "Command presence," even "stage presence" are terms that are often used. On looks, tall people are generally perceived as more dominant. Doing the opposite of the above would make you present as less authoritative, and might make you seem more deferential. Professionally, I've thought about presenting myself as authoritative, and I've given people tips on developing a more dominant presence, but most people don't seem to need advice on how to be more deferential, so I haven't thought hard about it. I do know that apologizing is a deferential thing to do--it's fine to apologize and you can retain authority when you do so, but if you apologize a lot and when you haven't actually erred, you present as deferential. Difficulty meeting the eyes of a person, especially if it involves quick darting glances down and back up, might signal submissiveness--it's so in dogs. A demure or cute look could translate to submissiveness, while elegant and refined are adjectives that might describe an attractive look with overtones of dominance. There are ways to be quiet and project authority, and ways to be quiet and project deference--and ways to speak and project authority, and ways to speak and project deference--but this moves into "I know it when I see it," which won't help you, unfortunately. Monica
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