How long does it take you to "read" another person's nonverbal expressions/"codes" for things?

[DishLady]

There are people I just have to glance at and we know what the other one is thinking. There's no need for words. I was trying to think how long that takes... I know it's not instant with most people. What do y'all think?

[HawkPerception]

My last ex said I was right about all my assumptions of how she was feeling and even what she was thinking, and that she felt she couldn't hide anything from me. She said part of her liked it and part of her didn't like it.

It depends on the person though. Some people wear their emotions on their sleeves and others hide it and make it impossible to read. There was only one girl (who was a devil for reasons I won't state), who I could not read at all. From that moment on, I decided I would never date someone I can't read at all. Those are the scariest people in the world, and in my opinion, the most likely to be psychopaths.

[ArrowheadSW]

Sometimes you can "read" someone within just a few seconds. Their non-verbal expression might be very apparent. However with others it might be more blunted. I dated a lady a year ago who showed little to no facial expression. I dated her because we had a lot in common and she was a nice person. I had to give it up because I couldn't handle the lack of feedback. It was too creepy.

[Abbycado]

It really depends on the person. Some are so hard to read.

[Abbycado]

By some, I mean a minority. Most I can figure out fairly quickly.

[DishLady]

I read people all the time, but you're right. I find the trend in the hard to read people is that they're rather shady in general and don't want to be "pinned". They like being "unreadable" (which is telling in itself and I don't waste my time with them).

[Abbycado]

I completely agree with that feeling. Like they are not the type that are going to open up and very guarded.

[Iron_Man]

it doesn’t take me too long. I’m a pretty good reader of expression, codes

[RachyRach]

Depends on the person. If I know them well then it's instant. I struggle with strangers or someone I barely know