My body language - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MEAD · 02-08-2005, 09:35 PM

Hey I've got a question about something I tend to do, I'm a guy, 19, I'm decently tall and pretty lean 6'1" and 153 pounds, im not sure that's important, but it might be to the question. Anyhow to the point, I've always sat with my legs tucked into myself, like Ive always perfered to sit crossed legged or indian style or with my legs tucked into my chest with my chin resting on my knee. I guess Im pretty flexible so sitting like that was never awkward feeling but I've become concious that not many people do that and the ones who do are usually women, so i was wondering what this says about my personality.

anleja · 02-08-2005, 09:41 PM

Probably nothing about your personality. You said you are flexible, which means it is easier for you to find comfort in a sitting position which is the same as what some women use... I think women are more flexible anyway. I'd see this as a flexibility/comfort thing, not a gender/personality thing.

Halx · 02-08-2005, 10:15 PM

You may hear that sitting in the fetal position (knees to chest) denotes security. To sit in such a position would mean that you're uncomfortable with your surroundings and seek a little shelter by curling up. I don't know how relevant that is. I've found that I've grown out of that position, though I did stick to it through most of my teen years.

I know one thing that's not relevant - the preception that if you sit with your legs crossed at the knees, you have a small package. I do it all the time (for warmth) and.. well... yeah. That's not a true statement.

goddfather40 · 02-08-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halx

I know one thing that's not relevant - the preception that if you sit with your legs crossed at the knees, you have a small package. I do it all the time (for warmth) and.. well... yeah. That's not a true statement.

Give Hal any excuse to talk about the junk and he'll step right up to the plate. I wonder why?

Seriously, I wonder about my body language often too. I am very emphatic with my hand gesturing, especially when I'm talking about something I'm passionate about. I often catch people looking at my hands instead of my face and it bothers me. Is it genetic? After all, I am of Italian descent. Who knows?

maleficent · 02-09-2005, 04:34 AM

Dealing with customers a lot, I pay attention to body language, because that will often tell you a lot more than actual words do. Like people who have their arms crossed when talking to you are resistent to what you are saying, If the person leans in while you are talking, they are interested in what you are saying.

Sometimes it is body language doing the talking, sometimes it is habit, though. One of by habits is that I tend to put my hand over my mouth a lot (because I hate my smile)body language says that means I'm either uncomfortable with what I am saying or I am telling an untruth (really, the software will be delivered ontime -- hmmm lie or habit?)

The body language of sitting cross-legged, would say to me that you are uncomfortable in your environment, and you are trying to make yourself as small as possible.

The body language of talking with your hands, is just the opposite, it would say to me that you are trying to make yourself bigger, so you get more attention, and so that I will be listening to you. Talking with your hands can be very distracting to people (as you've noticed with people looking at your hands rather than you) and sometimes your message can be lost because people are busy looking at your hands rather than listening to your words. (Or you could just have really nice hands)

clavus · 02-09-2005, 02:16 PM

Sitting with your legs crossed is a sure sign that you are going to die. Seriously. Every single person who sat like that in 1823 died.

OK. It means nothing. I'm sitting with my legs crossed right now. You might look into getting one of those "kneeling" chairs. I have one, and it is super cumfy. Lots of "normal-sitters" don't like them. Feh! What do they know?!

KungFuGuy · 02-09-2005, 09:37 PM

i sit cross legged all the time, and have never really thought much about it. i imagine curling up with your knees to your chin in an imitation of the fetal position might show some insecurity.

I like curling one leg up and letting the other one out. its very 'airy' for certain parts.

02-08-2005, 09:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
MEAD Insane Location: South Florida	My body language Hey I've got a question about something I tend to do, I'm a guy, 19, I'm decently tall and pretty lean 6'1" and 153 pounds, im not sure that's important, but it might be to the question. Anyhow to the point, I've always sat with my legs tucked into myself, like Ive always perfered to sit crossed legged or indian style or with my legs tucked into my chest with my chin resting on my knee. I guess Im pretty flexible so sitting like that was never awkward feeling but I've become concious that not many people do that and the ones who do are usually women, so i was wondering what this says about my personality.

02-08-2005, 10:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	You may hear that sitting in the fetal position (knees to chest) denotes security. To sit in such a position would mean that you're uncomfortable with your surroundings and seek a little shelter by curling up. I don't know how relevant that is. I've found that I've grown out of that position, though I did stick to it through most of my teen years. I know one thing that's not relevant - the preception that if you sit with your legs crossed at the knees, you have a small package. I do it all the time (for warmth) and.. well... yeah. That's not a true statement. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

02-09-2005, 04:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Dealing with customers a lot, I pay attention to body language, because that will often tell you a lot more than actual words do. Like people who have their arms crossed when talking to you are resistent to what you are saying, If the person leans in while you are talking, they are interested in what you are saying. Sometimes it is body language doing the talking, sometimes it is habit, though. One of by habits is that I tend to put my hand over my mouth a lot (because I hate my smile)body language says that means I'm either uncomfortable with what I am saying or I am telling an untruth (really, the software will be delivered ontime -- hmmm lie or habit?) The body language of sitting cross-legged, would say to me that you are uncomfortable in your environment, and you are trying to make yourself as small as possible. The body language of talking with your hands, is just the opposite, it would say to me that you are trying to make yourself bigger, so you get more attention, and so that I will be listening to you. Talking with your hands can be very distracting to people (as you've noticed with people looking at your hands rather than you) and sometimes your message can be lost because people are busy looking at your hands rather than listening to your words. (Or you could just have really nice hands) __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

02-09-2005, 02:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Sitting with your legs crossed is a sure sign that you are going to die. Seriously. Every single person who sat like that in 1823 died. OK. It means nothing. I'm sitting with my legs crossed right now. You might look into getting one of those "kneeling" chairs. I have one, and it is super cumfy. Lots of "normal-sitters" don't like them. Feh! What do they know?! __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

02-08-2005, 09:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
anleja disconnected Location: ignoreland	Probably nothing about your personality. You said you are flexible, which means it is easier for you to find comfort in a sitting position which is the same as what some women use... I think women are more flexible anyway. I'd see this as a flexibility/comfort thing, not a gender/personality thing.

02-09-2005, 09:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
KungFuGuy Insane	i sit cross legged all the time, and have never really thought much about it. i imagine curling up with your knees to your chin in an imitation of the fetal position might show some insecurity. I like curling one leg up and letting the other one out. its very 'airy' for certain parts.