Saturday, August 27, 2011

Don't Cross Your Arms!

Something I always remind myself to do is to uncross my arms. It is the most noticeable act of Body Language that the majority of people take into consideration. I always cross my arms as a natural comfort state (have you noticed that its the equivalent of crossing your legs?), or usually to keep myself warm since I always chill up from the A/C.

There are many different meanings that people interpret from crossing arms, but whatever they interpret, they are all negative...
Crossing your arms could mean:
  • Making yourself smaller/ invisible/ unnoticeable
  • To shut the person in front of you out of communication (ex: don't talk to me/ I am not interested)
  • Defensive position/ frightened
  • "I'm a little scared"
  • "I don't really want to talk to you"
  • Not friendly
  • Annoyed
Imagine speaking to your boss, or meeting a new person while crossing your arms. You could be unintentionally signaling all of the above. They really aren't something you would want to communicate.

A big no-no to avoid is crossing your arms in job interviews.

I always find myself in situations like these (boss/ meeting new people), or just in conversation with family and friends and find my arms crossed. As soon as I notice I immediately uncross my arms and leave them open. That is a better signal. Its more welcoming, relaxed, and accepting of what others say.


PS: Even children know this themselves, crossing their arms when they're upset!

Photo 1 graphics by 7azawi

3 comments:

  1. I'm a big arm-crosser :p I really should stop this habit, even though I don't mean to send negative vibes by it :/

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  2. I'm sure most people don't mean to send negative vibes by crossing their arms but as long as you notice and uncross your arms then you're good ;P

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    ReplyDelete