Crossed legs while sitting
Body language crossed legs, what does it mean? When we are seated it depends on which leg is on top of the other. When we create a barrier between us and another person with our hands, arms, legs or by holding an object in front of us. It’s a sign that we are uncomfortable or that we feel threatened. It’s literally our brain that feels threatened and makes us defend ourselves by making some sort of barrier between us and the other person.
Body language crossed legs, what does it mean? When we are seated it depends on which leg is on top of the other.
When we sit side by side with another person. If the leg on top is pointing towards us, it’s a sign of comfort and engagement in the conversation.
In talk shows it’s common to see the person being interviewed have her/his legs crossed. With the leg on top pointing to the interviewer, because the person is engaged in the conversation. But to also create a barrier between the person and the audience. Just because they are celebrities, doesn’t mean they aren’t nervous in front of crowds.
On the other hand, if the leg on top is pointing away from us, it’s a sign that the other person is uncomfortable and may feel threatened. If this move is followed by an arm cross, it’s an even stronger sign of the other person closing himself off.
Why is there a difference what leg is on top you ask? When you sit side by side with someone. If you cross the leg so that the leg on top is pointing away. You’re creating a barrier between you and the other person with you leg.
When we create a barrier between us and another person with our hands, arms, legs or by holding an object in front of us. It’s a sign that we are uncomfortable or that we feel threatened. It’s literally our brain that feels threatened and makes us defend ourselves by making some sort of barrier between us and the other person.
If you watch for the exact moment the other person crosses his legs, you can get a clue why he feel uncomfortable or threatened. Maybe there was something you did or said that made him uncomfortable, or perhaps a person he didn’t like entered the room. As with most nonverbal signals it’s about the timing. Often when someone says something that makes us uncomfortable. Our body language is going to react instantly. Which makes it easier for us to pinpoint why a specific nonverbal sign is shown.
As usual you should of course also look for other nonverbal signals too. You should never rely on only one thing. You can be much more confident if you can point out a couple of other signals that point to the same thing too.
Crossed legs while standing
While sitting with our legs crossed can be a signal of discomfort. Someone standing with their legs crossed is a good signal of someone that feels comfortable. When you stand with your legs crossed, you have a bad balance. If someone would give you a light push, there’s a big chance you would lose your balance and fall to the floor. Therefore, our brain doesn’t allow us to stand with our legs crossed if we feel uncomfortable. Specially not when we feel threatened. When we feel threatened our brain makes us stand firmly on the ground, ready to defend ourselves. There’s a reason why we humans have survived, and that’s because of our brains “defense system”. Our brain is always on the edge looking for possible threats, even though we aren’t aware of it ourselves.
Standing with legs crossed is something you can see when two friends have a conversation. Because they are very comfortable around each other. Most people don’t stand with their legs crossed if they are talking to a person they just met.
