Chapter 16
OWNERSHIP, TERRITORY
AND HEIGHT SIGNALS
We stake a physical claim on what we believe is oursWe lean against other people or objects to show a territorial
claim to that person or object. Leaning against something can
also be used as a method of dominance or intimidation if the
object being leaned on belongs to someone else. For example,
if you are going to take a photograph of a friend and his new
car, boat or personal belonging, it's likely that he'd lean
against his new possession, put his foot on it or place his arm
around it. When he touches the property, it becomes an exten-
sion of his body and this is how he shows others that it belongs
to him. Lovers hold hands or put their arms around each other
in public to show competitors they have a claim over that
person. The business executive puts his feet on his desk or