Body Language: Focus on your feet

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Body language. When we talk about non-verbal body language, we pay a lot of attention to the expression of our face, eyes and hands, but for some reason our legs are undeservedly offended by us. But in vain!

The further away from the brain a part of the body is, the more difficult it is to control it. If a person can adjust and portray the emotion he needs on his face and more or less control his hands, then everyone forgets about the legs and they betray us headlong.

So let's go over the basic leg poses. Immediately I want to draw your attention to the fact that the movements of women and men will be different.

Treacherous feet

In a series of experiments, the authors of the book deduced an interesting dependence. People, regardless of age and gender, telling a lie, begin to unconsciously move their feet (swinging, twisting, jerking, etc.).

Four basic standing positions

1. Attention

This posture means that you are listening attentively and the interlocutor is most likely of lower rank than you. Usually, this is how students stand in front of teachers and subordinates in front of their superiors.

2. Spread legs

This pose is predominantly male. In this position, the man stands firmly on the ground and feels confident.

3. One leg outstretched

In this position, it is very easy to determine the intentions of a person. Usually, in which direction the sock is directed, the person intends to move in that direction. Being in the company, we will direct the sock to the most pleasant interlocutor for us. And if a person feels uncomfortable, then the toe of the exposed leg is likely to be directed to the nearest exit.

4. Crossing the legs

Crossed legs and arms are almost always evidence that a person has closed himself off from everyone and entered a defensive pose. It is quite difficult to reach such a person and it is unlikely that he will easily accept your arguments.

If the faces and voices of people talking are calm and benevolent, but at the same time legs and arms are crossed, in fact they do not trust each other as much as they want to show outwardly.

Also, this posture is usually taken in the company of unfamiliar people. You can conduct an interesting experiment - go up to a group of strangers and stand nearby in a defensive posture. Almost immediately after that, people will start crossing their arms one by one. This pose is highly contagious and conveys a certain amount of anxiety and a sense of danger.

Frozen or defensive?

Sign language always needs to be interpreted in context. Sometimes people justify their crossed arms and legs by the fact that they are cold or want to use the toilet. In some cases this is true, and in others they simply hide behind a convenient explanation.

In fact, if a person is really cold, he will not only cross his arms, but he will also hide his fingers under his armpits, and not just wrap them around his elbows. We also cross our legs, but at the same time we try to straighten them and press them tightly against each other. The defensive posture is more relaxed and calm.

If a person says that it is just so comfortable for him to stand, most likely he almost always feels as if there are only enemies around.

American Four

This posture is typical for men. A person sitting in this position is perceived not only as more domineering and energetic, but also as younger. A person sitting in this position will most likely consider themselves superior to you and are unlikely to immediately agree with your point of view.

If, having taken this pose, a person also fixes the raised leg with his hands, this means that she is determined to stand her ground and will in every way resist external pressure.

Research has shown that most people make the final decision when both feet are firmly on the ground. So do not rush your interlocutor to make a decision if one of his soles is not touching the floor.

Ankle crossing

Crossed ankles indicate that the other person is suppressing negative emotions and disagreements and trying to deal with them. This gesture can be equated with biting the lip.

Usually people sit like this at the reception of dentists, lawyers and tax inspectors.

Short skirt syndrome

Usually girls who wear mini-skirts sit like this. Despite their length, they give women an unapproachable and not very welcoming look, since they have to sit all the time with their legs tightly squeezed. People subconsciously interpret this gesture as negative, and treat the interlocutor with caution.

Interlocking legs

This is a purely feminine gesture. Usually modest and insecure girls twist their legs this way. It is unlikely that a strong pressure is suitable here. In order to get such a person to talk, you need to be open and friendly.

Parallelism

Looking at this picture, I immediately remember "Basic Instinct" and Sharon Stone sitting in a chair. This fit is considered very feminine and 86% of men found it the most attractive. This is how the models are taught to sit.

Right leg forward, right leg back

A person is given legs to perform two main actions - to catch up with prey and to run away from danger. If the person is interested in you, during the conversation he will put his right foot forward (the left-hander will most likely put his left) in order to close the distance between you. If he is not in the mood for a conversation, he will most likely put his right leg back, as if preparing to retreat.

And the last one! Advice to business ladies - do not cross your legs at business meetings if you are wearing a skirt that reveals the hips. The sight of a woman's thighs can turn on almost any man. As a result, he will remember your hips, but not the topic of the conversation.

And men should be more restrained and not lounging on chairs, legs apart in different directions. A restrained pose with knees bent together would be more appropriate.