Regulators

Regulators are nonverbal cues that help control the flow of conversation, manage turn-taking, or convey interest and understanding. They can vary among individuals and cultures. Here are 100 examples of regulators:

1. Nodding to show agreement or understanding.
2. Shaking the head to signal disagreement or confusion.
3. Raising eyebrows to express surprise or curiosity.
4. Tilting the head to show interest or puzzlement.
5. Maintaining eye contact to show attentiveness.
6. Breaking eye contact to signal disinterest or discomfort.
7. Leaning forward to express interest or engagement.
8. Leaning back to convey disinterest or detachment.
9. Crossing arms over the chest to signal defensiveness or disagreement.
10. Placing a hand on the chin to show contemplation.
11. Smiling to indicate warmth or approval.
12. Frowning to express disapproval or disappointment.
13. Holding up a hand to pause or interrupt the conversation.
14. Tapping a finger to indicate impatience or a desire to interject.
15. Waving a hand to invite someone to speak or join a conversation.
16. Closing the eyes to signal contemplation or a desire to block out information.
17. Opening the eyes wide to convey surprise or disbelief.
18. Squinting the eyes to signal scepticism or scrutiny.
19. Furrowing the brow to express confusion or concern.
20. Rolling the eyes to show annoyance or exasperation.
21. Shrugging the shoulders to indicate uncertainty or indifference.
22. Sighing to convey frustration or disappointment.
23. Laughing to signal amusement or agreement.
24. Clearing the throat to gain attention or signal a desire to speak.
25. Yawning to indicate boredom or fatigue.
26. Touching the nose to signal doubt or deception.
27. Crossing the legs to convey relaxation or to create a barrier.
28. Tapping the foot to indicate impatience or restlessness.
29. Pointing to oneself to signal a desire to speak or share personal experiences.
30. Touching the ear to indicate listening or a need for clarification.
31. Touching the lips to signal contemplation or a desire for silence.
32. Glancing at a watch or clock to signal time constraints or impatience.
33. Looking away to signal disinterest or a desire to end the conversation.
34. Raising a finger to request permission to speak or interject.
35. Rubbing the forehead to convey stress or deep thought.
36. Placing a hand on the heart to express sincerity or gratitude.
37. Winking to signal understanding, agreement, or a shared secret.
38. Stroking the chin to indicate deep thought or consideration.
39. Pursed lips to signal disapproval, disagreement, or a desire for more information.
40. Cracking knuckles to express impatience, nervousness, or frustration.
41. Folding hands in the lap to convey attentiveness or politeness.
42. Resting hands on the hips to signal confidence or assertiveness.
43. Touching the hair or neck to convey nervousness or discomfort.
44. Licking the lips to signal anticipation, nervousness, or a desire for more information.
45. Flaring nostrils to express anger, agitation, or excitement.
46. Drumming fingers on a surface to indicate impatience or restlessness.
47. Placing hands behind the head to signal relaxation or confidence.
48. Moving closer to the speaker to show interest or to hear better.
49. Increasing or decreasing the volume of speech to convey importance or urgency.
50. Pacing back and forth to signal nervousness or to emphasize a point.
51. Adjusting seating position to signal engagement or disinterest.
52. Using a pen or other object to tap or fidget, indicating nervousness or impatience.
53. Biting the lip to convey anxiety, stress, or uncertainty.
54. Rubbing the hands together to signal anticipation or eagerness.
55. Raising the pitch of the voice to emphasize excitement or importance.
56. Lowering the pitch of the voice to convey seriousness or authority.
57. Breathing deeply to signal relaxation or preparation for speaking.
58. Holding the breath to indicate tension or anticipation.
59. Glancing at the speaker's mouth to focus on understanding their speech.
60. Placing a finger on the lips to request silence or secrecy.
61. Tilting the head to one side to signal curiosity or a desire for more information.
62. Scratching the head to convey confusion or uncertainty.
63. Cupping the hand behind the ear to signal a request for the speaker to talk louder.
64. Rubbing the temples to express stress or a headache.
65. Pounding a fist into the palm to emphasize a point or convey frustration.
66. Placing the hands on the table or desk to signal readiness or engagement.
67. Holding a hand up to signal a desire to pause or halt the conversation.
68. Twirling a pen or fidgeting with an object to signal boredom or restlessness.
69. Clapping hands to show appreciation, agreement, or excitement.
70. Whistling or humming to signal a relaxed or carefree attitude.
71. Hugging oneself to convey self-comfort or insecurity.
72. Placing a hand over the mouth to signal shock, disbelief, or a desire to suppress laughter.
73. Grinning or smirking to signal amusement, sarcasm, or a shared secret.
74. Touching the cheek to indicate contemplation or deep thought.
75. Staring intently at the speaker to signal focus, interest, or scrutiny.
76. Covering the eyes to indicate embarrassment or a desire to avoid seeing something.
77. Placing hands in pockets to convey a casual or relaxed attitude.
78. Shuffling the feet to indicate restlessness, impatience, or discomfort.
79. Crossing and uncrossing the legs to signal anxiety, discomfort, or a need for movement.
80. Touching or adjusting clothing to convey discomfort, self-consciousness, or a desire to make a good impression.
81. Resting the chin on the hand to signal boredom, disinterest, or deep thought.
82. Pointing at a nearby object to draw attention or emphasize its importance.
83. Glancing at the exit to signal a desire to leave or end the conversation.
84. Snapping fingers to emphasize a point or recall a forgotten detail.
85. Gazing upward to signal contemplation, recollection, or divine inspiration.
86. Holding the head in the hands to convey despair, frustration, or deep thought.
87. Rubbing the eyes to signal fatigue, stress, or disbelief.
88. Touching the arm of the speaker to signal empathy, support, or a desire for connection.
89. Stifling laughter to indicate amusement or a desire to maintain composure.
90. Clenching the jaw to convey anger, frustration, or determination.
91. Swaying from side to side to signal nervousness, impatience, or discomfort.
92. Touching the face or adjusting hair to convey self-consciousness or a desire to appear presentable.
93. Fidgeting with jewellery or accessories to indicate nervousness or restlessness.
94. Wiping the brow to signal stress, exhaustion, or relief.
95. Shifting weight from one foot to the other to convey impatience, discomfort, or a desire for movement.
96. Glancing at other people in the room to gauge their reactions or signal a desire for their input.
97. Touching or tapping one's chest to emphasize personal experience or emotions.
98. Pressing the lips together to convey disapproval, disagreement, or a desire to remain silent.
99. Placing one hand on top of the other to signal attentiveness, patience, or agreement.
100. Raising and lowering the shoulders to convey relaxation, the release of tension, or acknowledgement of a point.

Remember that these regulators can vary between individuals and cultures, so it's important to consider the context and cultural sensitivities when interpreting and using regulators in conversation.