Crossed-Legged Sitting Positions and What They Mean
Crossing knees Exhibiting this kind of body language with your legs crossed at the knees could mean that you’re feeling nervous, anxious, or defensive. Depending on how loosely or rigidly you’re sitting, this pose can serve to create a barrier between you and anyone who may try to invade your personal space. It’s common to cross legs at the knees during serious or difficult conversations, and what you do with the rest of your body is important, too! This pose, coupled with crossed arms, can signal that you’re totally checked out from the conversation and closed off to further discussion. Crossed legs at the knees can also imply a lack of confidence and a cautious nature. Although largely perceived as a defensive move, one may cross their legs simply because it’s a comfortable position to be in, or even because they’re feeling relaxed enough to do so. Sitting or standing with legs crossed is also common among people who are new to a group and may not feel like they fully belong yet.
Crossing ankles Sitting with your legs crossed at the ankles could reveal deceitful intentions. Having a conversation with someone who has crossed their ankles may give off a sense of dishonesty and unreliability, typically not allowing a productive discussion between two people. Scratching one ankle with the other foot is also a sign of discomfort and can help alleviate stress quickly in a tense situation. This pose may also be considered feminine and polite. This seated position is often reserved for women, offering a prim and proper look of attention. Crossing your ankles is appropriate in the workplace, at school as a teacher or student, during legal proceedings, and in other relatively formal situations.
Top leg pointing toward the person When sitting down with crossed legs, allowing the leg on top to point to the person speaking could signal a positive disposition toward them. It’s a good sign that you’re open, engaged, and interested in maintaining an interaction with them. On the other hand, if your foot is pointing in the opposite direction of the person, it might let them know that you’re not really picking up what they’re putting down and don’t care to. Additionally, this change in position can simply mean that the previous one was not comfortable. If talking to a co-worker and their upper body is pointed toward you but their legs and feet are pointing away from you, it’s likely that they’re trying to hide the fact that they’ve checked out. Our lower bodies are take on a lot of responsibility when it comes to guaranteeing our survival, responding faster than our brains can in a flight-or-fight situation.
Creating a figure 4 with crossed legs A figure 4 position occurs when a person is sitting upright, with one foot firmly planted on the ground, while the other ankle rests on the knee of the anchored leg. If observed from above, the shape created by the body resembles the number 4. This is one of the most dominant and authoritative positions, taking up as much physical space as possible as a way of claiming territory. It points to competitiveness and assertiveness, but the imbalance of having only one foot on the ground hints at the inability to make decisions. This position is widely used in North America and parts of Europe, but be careful sitting this way in Asia or the Middle East as showing someone the soles of your shoes can be viewed as a sign of disrespect. During WW2, Nazis were instructed to keep an eye out for this manner of sitting as it implied that the person was not German or, at the very least, had been under American influence.
Figure 4 with leg clamp If you’re seated in a figure 4 position and you opt for adding further security to your personal space by clamping down on the ankle hinging on your knee, this could be viewed as another sign of discomfort, inflexibility, and aggression. A leg clamp brings the arm into the picture, creating an even more sturdy barrier between you and the other person. This is an appropriate position to assume if you have no interest in hearing what the other person has to say and have decided to reject whatever they’re proposing.
Reading Other Lower Body Cues
Seated hip shift This takes place when you’re sitting down and then briefly shift your lower body weight by pushing up on the seat with your hands. It can be an indicator of stress, boredom, or physical discomfort. The key is to observe the other mannerisms that accompany the hip shift. If they’re looking away, they might be bored. If they’re biting their nails or otherwise fidgeting, they could be bored. And if there are no other behavioral changes, they are probably just trying out a new sitting position. Research shows that hip shifts aren’t common in new, stress-free relationships. However, they become more prevalent as relationships progress and tough issues discussed arise. During heated discussions, a hip shift could help relieve tension.
Hands folded at front This position is defined by a person’s hands being folded in front of their groin. This stance is common among people awkwardly posing for photos or giving presentations in a business setting. Also known as the “fig leaf” position, this hints at social discomfort and the need to be reassured or validated. It points to vulnerability and a fear of failure, or even worse– appearing stupid or ill-prepared in front of an audience. Covering the groin can be viewed as submissive or weak, so it’s advised not to assume this stance when trying to close a deal.
Hands on hips This pose is often referred to as the “Superman” pose and may be a signal that the person is stressed but standing their ground on a certain issue. Although they may be experiencing some inner turmoil, this stance implies that the person is ready for action, making themselves bigger by taking up more space with the protruding shape of their arms. Placing the hands on the hips is also a flirty strategy for women, highlighting their waist-to-hip ratio. A variation of this pose can feature fists instead of open palms on the hips, which is a sign of increased aggression or hostility. Two hands on the hips can be seen during sports games when one player doesn’t agree with the referee, for example. One hand on the hip gestures at a mother-child dynamic, where one person is clearly in control and is trying to remain firm in their convictions.
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