Practical Body Language: 5 Ways a Person's Legs Reveal Their Thoughts

Remember that if you're not experienced in reading body language, you have to act like a detective and not just look at one or two aspects of a person's body. Like any successful detective, you'll find that it's important to look at as many clues as possible. I'll keep stressing that point because, well, it's important. The signals listed below should act as more of a guide than an authoritative statement on body language.

Crossed Legs

The legs indicate what the mind wants to do--that's the most important thing to remember. Crossed legs, therefore, indicate--anyone care to guess it? A closed mind.

If someone's legs are crossed, they're closing themselves off to the person they're speaking to. They're not comfortable with the person, and may be fearing attack on a very basic primordial level. Interestingly enough, getting the person to uncross their legs will almost invariably get them to open their mind up a bit more.

Note to the guys: a woman's crossed legs doesn't necessarily mean she's not into you. Remember, women wear skirts a lot--well, many of them do--and they may just be accustomed to it. And everyone should keep remembering to look for multiple signals, not just one--someone could be cold, therefore they cross their legs for warmth, or they could be wearing shorts and self conscious about a scar on their legs.

Straight Legs

Straight legs, of course, mean the opposite of closed legs--an open mind. This person is likely open to influence or at ease with the conversation, and standing in this manner yourself will subconsciously make people feel more at ease around you.

If the legs are wide open, however, the person is asserting dominance. Monkeys do this to display their genitals and declare themselves the masters of their groups.

For obvious reasons, this gesture is more common with men, especially when speaking to each other.

The Direction of the Feet