Body Language

Entwining your legs............................................................................

Some gestures are particular to men and others are particular to women. The

leg twine in which the top of one foot locks itself around the other leg is used

almost exclusively by women. This position highlights insecurity and resem-

bles a tortoise in retreat.

If you want to unlock a woman from the entwined leg position take a friendly

and low-key approach to her in order to get her to open up.

Fran was asked by her History of Art university lecturer to stand in front of

the lecture hall and discuss the latest assignment. Being uncertain of what

was expected of her, she stood in front of the class of 120 students, with one

foot drawn up behind her supporting leg and pressed against her calf.

Although she was confident about her knowledge of the material, she felt shy

and timid speaking in front of such a large group of people, many of whom

she didn’t know. When she realised how she was standing, she placed both

feet firmly under her and found that she felt more confident and secure, and

was able to speak with authority and assurance.

Research shows that the body reflects the mind’s state. Studies show that

people meeting in a group for the first time usually stand with their arms and

legs in the crossed position. As rapport develops and they become more

comfortable with one another they release the closed pose, and open up

their bodies. The procedure follows a predictable pattern that entails

uncrossing their legs first and placing their feet in the parallel pose. The arms

and hands unfold, and become animate. When the people feel comfortable

and at ease they move from the parallel stance to an open position in which

the feet are slightly apart and facing the other person. Similarly, indicators of

someone who has withdrawn from the conversation are crossed arms and

legs. A person sitting in this position is unlikely to be convinced by anything

you may say or do.

172 Part III: The Trunk: Limbs and Roots

Preening and posing

From the Middle Ages to the middle of the 19th

century, men of elevated position and high

social status adopted a stance which conve-

niently displayed the inner part of the leg – one

of the body’s erotic zones. Gentlemen and

posers would bear their weight on one leg, pre-

senting the other with the inner thigh facing.

The fashion designs that saw men’s dress move

from hose to tight breeches accessorised with

fine shoes, permitted and encouraged men to

indulge their desire to preen and pose, showing

off their legs and their masculinity. Today, red-

carpet celebrities know how to position their

legs to display them to their best advantage,

turning their feet outward to reveal their inner

thighs, the softer and most erogenous part of

their legs.