What is a common sign of nervous behavior in a surveillance context?

Frequent checking of the watch is a common sign of nervous behavior in a surveillance context because it can indicate a person's anxiety or impatience. When someone is feeling nervous, they may feel compelled to monitor time closely, signaling their discomfort or eagerness to leave a situation. This action can suggest that the individual is either preoccupied with their surroundings or is anticipating an event, both of which may undermine a covert or unobserved demeanor typically expected in surveillance situations.

In contrast, a calm and collected demeanor reflects confidence rather than nervousness, while engaging in long conversations and maintaining consistent eye contact often indicate comfort and sociability. Therefore, all these behaviors are generally inconsistent with the signs of nervousness often displayed when someone is under surveillance or in a heightened state of awareness.