5 tips for a solo traveller on body language hacks to make friends while travelling

Travel is back on the cards and many Australians have booked flights and are ready to embark on an overdue overseas adventure. For those going solo, travelling by yourself can be daunting, but doesn’t have to be a solitary endeavour –with the right attitude and tips, you can make friends easily along the way. To help those who are worried about their solo trip, Body Language Expert Louise Mahler provides her top tips on how to put yourself out there, make the right impression and make friends while you enjoy your time abroad.

1. Put a smile on your dial

Remember the adage ‘You are never fully dressed without a smile’? It’s true because a smile can help you give the right impression and make connections in many ways. Research from SmileDirectClub revealed a smile is rated as the top physical feature that attracts Aussies (30%) and the reason is that Australians believe those that smile at them are warm (47.3%), welcoming (61.6%) and confident (31.56%). So be sure to show those pearly whites!

2. Be a good listener

Listening is easier said than done, but what do you do physically to let others know you are interested in getting to know them. Here’s how to show you’re listening - keep a flexible neck to allow the head to nod forwards to show you aren’t stuck in your ways or critical, soften your eyes and don’t forget a smile will loosen your lower face and jaw.

3. Keep your face clear

A face covered with hair over the eyes works as a shield and tells others you are hiding away from them and putting your hands over your mouth or scratching your chin can be translated as signs of deception. So be sure to keep your hair and hands away from your face when meeting new friends.

4. Stand up straight

Hunching the body is translated by others as a sign of protection and weakness. It may be a move your body wants to take on in new environments, but it is probably not what you want to project when meeting new people. Remember standing up straight is the best way to get your voice to resonate, you’re breathing to flow and look your best.

5. Open your arms

Biologically when we feel threatened one of our natural reactions is to cover the body with our arms and hands, but this is not a great sign when you’re meeting new people. To give a positive impression, keep your arms and hands away from your body, or even open your arms wide as a display of hospitality and people will immediately be drawn to you.

Dr Louise Mahler is a Body Language Expert and member of the SmileDirectClub Confidence Council.