The Definitive Book of Body Language

The Definitive Book of Body Language

This can make the jury feel that the lawyer is being insincere

or pompous. If a lawyer wanted to appear humble, he should

approach the jury with his coat open, with open palms and

stoop forward to appear smaller.

'You seem like an intelligent, honest man,' the

lawyer said smugly. 'I'd return the compliment, sir,'

said the witness. 'But I'm under oath.'

Thumbs sometimes protrude from the back pockets (see

below) as if the person is trying to hide their dominant atti-

tude. Women were rarely seen using Thumb Displays until the

1960s when they began to wear trousers and take on more

authoritative roles in society.

Thumb displays revealing

confident, authoritative attitudes

Arms-Folded-with-Thumbs-Pointing-Upwards is another
common thumb cluster. This is a double signal, showing a
defensive or negative attitude (folded arms), plus a superior
attitude revealed by the thumbs. The person using this cluster
usually gestures with his thumbs when he talks, and rocks on
the balls of his feet when standing.