What does crossing your legs/ folded arms mean
Crossed Legs
Just like folded arm positions, crossed legs can demonstrate that a negative attitude may exist. However crossed arms do indicate a more negative attitude than do crossed legs. Additionally the crossed arms gesture is more obvious. The normal crossed-leg position is one leg crossed neatly over the other mostly the right over the left. This position is common in European cultures and may be used to show a nervous or defensice attitude.
The crossed-leg position is generally a supportive gesture that occurs with other negative gestures and case should be taken not to interpret this gesture in isolation or out of context. For instance when the crossed-leg gesture is combined with crossed arms the person is clearly showing displeasure with the situation or conversation.
Folded arm gestures
As children we learn to protect ourselves by hiding behind barriers like furniture or mother’s skirt if we felt “threatened.”
Gradually instead of hiding behind objects we learn to fold our arms tightly across our chests, whenever we feel in danger, uncomfortable or nervous.
When a person folds their arms during a face-to-face encounter, it is possible to “suppose” that you may have said something with which the other person disagrees, even though the person may be “verbally” agreeing with you.
Studies have shown that when a person folds his arms not only has he negative thoughts about the other person, he is also paying less attention to what is being said.