In such cases, you might feel offended and annoyed. Things get interesting when this gesture is done by someone who has the same authority as you, lower authority than you, or whose higher authority you don’t accept. Of course, you feel good as a receiver of this gesture because you accept their authority over you. They feel a little ego boost when they do it. When your senior pats your shoulder in a “Well done” manner, they’re asserting their superiority over you. The key thing to note about this meaning is that it’s a dominance gesture. It’s done by a superior to their subordinate.įor example, a boss may pat the shoulder of their employee who’s done splendid work. While getting a pat on the back is a common gesture signaling, “Well done”, patting someone’s shoulder often conveys the same meaning. To signal the first technician to disengage, he taps him on the back, communicating: Another technician grabs a tool and wants to have a go at it. Imagine a technician trying hard to fix a machine. In this context, they don’t want your attention they’re asking you to finish the job and leave.

The customer behind you gets impatient and pats on your shoulder. When the cashier gives you back your change, you spend too much time counting it. Imagine you’re in a line, checking out at a store. Sometimes people tap on others’ shoulders just to get their attention. This is the simplest meaning of this gesture. So we do the next best thing- we pat them on their shoulder. If someone’s not looking at you, patting their head to get their attention would be weird and too aggressive, albeit successful in gaining their attention. Let’s look at the possible meanings behind this gesture: 1. Front and behind are more common than sideways. After that, we’ll discuss the meaning of a closely related ‘resting hand on someone’s shoulder’ gesture.Ī person’s shoulder may get patted from the front, behind, or sideways. In this article, we’ll explore all the possible meanings of ‘pat on the shoulder’ body language gesture. Who does it and when determines what it means.

This body language gesture is highly context-dependent. An off-shoulder little black dress with a ruffled flounce will portray a sweet girly vibe, while an a-line off-the-shoulder black party dress will highlight your feminine silhouette.Patting another person’s shoulder is common in social interactions. Still not sure what to wear to your special event? A little black dress is forever in style, and this collection offers several off-the-shoulder black dresses from which to choose. Off-the-shoulder dresses make a statement on their own and are sure to make a lasting impression. Need a crown-worthy formal gown for prom or a pageant? Check out the long prom dresses and designer evening gowns finely detailed with quality jewels, sequins, and intricate embroidery and featuring off-the-shoulder necklines. Show off your unique personal style in one of the bold print or vibrant color off-shoulder dresses for prom or homecoming. In this assortment of designer off-shoulder dresses you’ll find everything from elegant floor-length prom gowns of satin and lace to short chiffon shift dresses with off-shoulder necklines. Trendy and chic, this modern revamp of a classic neckline has created some truly breathtaking prom dresses, homecoming dresses, semi-formal party dresses, and casual dresses. The comfort and versatility makes off-the-shoulder dresses a wardrobe must have. In this collection of designer off-shoulder dresses you will find curve-hugging jersey evening gowns that paint a picture of poise and grace, perfect for pageants, proms, galas, and formal events, as well as short sweet off-the-shoulder homecoming dresses with girly ruffles and floral prints. Off-the-shoulder dresses can be elegant and sophisticated or chic and sexy, depending upon the style you choose and formality of the event you’ll be attending. For the curvy figures, the demure look of an off-shoulder dress helps draw attention upward to your face and shoulders. If you’re petite and love the look of an off-shoulder dress, check out the a-line styles and unique two-piece styles to accentuate your shapely silhouette. This assortment of off-the-shoulder designer dresses offers a variety of style options fit for any figure, event, and budget. One of the most impressive features of an off-the-shoulder dress is that this style is flattering for all body types and suitable for any event. Should I Wear an Off-the-Shoulder Prom Dress?

Look over the shoulder at party