What Is the
Triangle Method?
Look at the person you’re talking to—and imagine their face as an inverted triangle, with their eyes at the top and their mouth at the bottom. During the conversation, change your gaze every so often, looking into one eye, then move to the other eye, then down to their lips, and back up to the eyes. This is an intimate way to connect and send unspoken signals. The whole process should be slow and intentional. Delicate, not dramatic; it should take about two seconds, total.
Does the Triangle
Method Work?
In a word: Yes. Because it relies on our most basic form of nonverbal communication. By gently moving your gaze between their eyes and mouth, you’re creating interest without making them uncomfortable. Hoffman says it works so well because how you look at someone can be an effective way to escalate sexual tension. The subtle shifting of your eyes—from their eyes down to their mouth and back—is a nuanced but impactful way to convey your attraction. By involving their mouth, you’re implying that you might be thinking about kissing them. Or at least, very interested in what they’re saying.
Psychology
Meets Physiology
The nice thing about this method is that you can use it for someone you just met or your longtime partner. That’s because intentional eye contact with someone you like triggers the release of potent chemicals in your brain. And that immediately forms a deeper connection. Oxytocin—which is sometimes referred to as the love hormone—creates those warm, trusting feelings we experience during intimate moments. That surges, along with a hit of dopamine, which naturally makes us feel rewarded and excited. Together, these bodily chemicals work to create that unique spark we feel during deep connections. And that’s all thanks to eye contact.