Same time

[EricJones]

When i'm downstairs and i'm around people i tend to move my body movements at the same time as others do. My question is, do people notice or catch me in the act of "moving to the same rate" as them...i.e (i move when they move). I'm not sure what people can pick up on...and thats why i want someone to answer for me what they think about my question.

[Downinil]

Hi Eric! I’m so sorry that your thoughts are fixated on worrying if people notice your movements synchronously with theirs. Basic human nature seems to me that there is a 95% chance others don’t care if you move like they do. Most people I’ve noticed don’t seem to care about anything outside their own lives. Please try to work on refocusing.

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to Downinil]

I agree with Downinil. Most people don't care. Especially now with cell phones even when hanging out with friends. People probably don't even notice when they move their hand to scratch an itch on their face that you moved your hand to scratch an itch on your face or you just move your hand.

There is a show called Impractical Jokers and it's a hidden camera show that stars 3 friends who dare each other to do different things. 1 challenge was that they were at an art show. And 1 joker was dared to copy the movements of 1 guy. Then they sent out another Joker to mirror him as well to see how long it took the guy to realize he was being copied. Eventually he called out 1 of the jokers and they had a good laugh. But the guy never noticed the other joker was doing it too. People are in their own heads and busy with their thoughts. And are deep into their cell phones.

[EricJones in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

i think i saw that one...i thought he eventually asked him "are you copying me"

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to EricJones]

Yes but he never noticed the other one doing it too. He just saw Murr who was more in his line of sight than Sal who was bit more behind him.

Also consider the fact this is a hidden camera show so things are done up to a certain extent to get a reaction. So Murr is kind of looking to get caught because it makes better TV.

But most people don't notice your movements especially a stranger.

[EricJones in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

good point I didnt know there were two jokers in on the prank...but you really think that others wouldn't be noticing me moving at the same time as them?

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to EricJones]

Nope. Tell you what next time I'm out I'll do a little experiment and move at the same time peoples do and see 😉

[EricJones in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

please do...that would actually be helpful

[Yatzeemaam]

Hi Eric, mimicking people is how we learn our first social cues as a tiny human. We even "fall into step" if we're walking together with friends. Even as an adult, I've realised I do the same, if I like the person or am genuinely interested in what the person is saying. I don't think people notice or are bothered by it if you're discreet enough.

[MaggieSylvie]

Normally it means you are in tune with the person you are mirroring, so it is a good thing. Have you tried mimicking people consciously instead of unconsciously? It would be an interesting experiment to see what happens - so long as you don't overdo it!

[EricJones in reply to MaggieSylvie]

i dont mimic people in that i do everything that they do...its just whenever they do something i make my own movements to their movements...if that makes sense

[MaggieSylvie in reply to EricJones]

Yes, that makes sense; it's like a reflex, but no-one's gonna notice. You could still benefit from being more in the moment when it happens - to be more aware. If you want to stop it, I think that's the first step.

[EricJones in reply to MaggieSylvie]

yeah i think thats good advice...its hard as the interaction plays out to kinda pause and take a look at your responses, but i can try

[MaggieSylvie in reply to EricJones]

No-one will tell you it's easy, Eric. You just, as you say, try. Let me know how you get on. It's interesting.😊

[Agora1]

EricJones I think I may have a name for what you are going through.

It's called the "Chemeleon Effect". It is quite normal and is a

subconscious behavior in which people tend to emulate the

mannerisms of those they interact with. Both familiar or strangers.

This theory is written under VeryWellmind on the internet. It explains

it in detail and states that the people who do this are empathetic and do

it automatically and unconsciously when with others.

I hope this will bring you some peace of mind and closure until you are

able to get professional insight on this.

But meanwhile, I think if you read this medical article, it will allow you to

understand more about your issues. xx

[EricJones in reply to Agora1]

Thanks for the post...and I'm not sure if I mimic someones behavior...like they're explaining it...because I don't do the same things as someone else ...I just move my body at roughly the same time

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Agora1]

Ooh, Agora, You have done some research - and well done for what you came up with. I know Eric says it is not like that but it's something very close nonetheless. I wonder if it's like - when someone appears to be coming towards you aggressively and you make a defensive gesture - that's not mimicking either, but it's a reflex movement. So I'm not saying Eric feels as if he is being attacked and is defending himself, but change the gestures, and what is it?

[Agora1 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

You know Maggie, I had gone through something similar myself when I was a teen.

I hung around with a girl who use to make grimace faces when she wasn't talking.

Lo and Behold, I started doing that myself as my mother picked up on that at home.

Then I started talking with a New Jersey accent when working with people from

there. My mother couldn't believe how fluent the accent was considering I was

born and raised in Chicago lol xx

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Agora1]

We are easily influenced when we are in our teens. We are trying to find out who we are or want to be. You probably preferred the NJ accent to your own. I think the experimentation can begin a lot younger, too, often ending with parents telling their children to stay away from other children - the ones who were being copied.