🤲
Armscontext-dependent reliabilityobvious

Crossed Arms

Arms folded across the chest, creating a barrier.

DefensivenessDiscomfortDisagreementAnxiety

Visual Description

Both arms crossed over chest, hands may grip upper arms or be tucked.

Duration: sustainedVisibility: obvious

How to Observe

  • Rule out environmental factors
  • Note if arms tighten during conversation
  • Look for other defensive signals

Context Matters

  • •Classic barrier signal
  • •May simply be comfortable position
  • •Cold temperature causes arm crossing
  • •Can be self-soothing

Common Misinterpretations

  • âš Not always negative - may be comfort
  • âš Cold people cross arms
  • âš May be habitual

Cultural Variations

Westernsame

Often seen as defensive or closed

Globalneutral

Also a comfort position universally

Quick Info

Primary Signal
Defensiveness
Body Region
🤲Arms
Reliability
context-dependent
Duration

sustained

Visibility

obvious