The Definitive Book of Body Language

Hand and Thumb Gestures

The higher up one hand grips the opposite arm, the more frus-
trated or angry the person is likely to be. In the illustration
below the person is showing a greater attempt at self-control
than in the previous picture, because the hand is gripping the
upper arm, not just the wrist. This gesture shows the origin of
the expression, 'Get a good grip on yourself.'

The Upper Arm Grip

cers who don't wear firearms use this position regularly and

often rock back and forth on the balls of the feet when stand-

ing to gain additional height. Police officers who wear firearms

seldom use this gesture, preferring to let their arms hang by

their side or to have their thumbs tucked into the belt. The

firearm gives the officer sufficient power that Palm-in-Palm

behind the back is not a necessary display of authority.

The Hand-Gripping-Wrist gesture communicates a different

emotion to Palm-in-Palm behind the back. It's a signal of frus-

tration and an attempt at self-control. One hand grips the

other wrist or arm tightly behind the back, as if in an attempt

by one arm to prevent the other from striking out.

The Hand-Gripping-Wrist

gesture