## Example 4

Crossing your arms

If a person crosses his arms as a sudden change from his normal behaviour, it can show that he has got uncomfortable as a reaction to something that has been said or done. Other times, this gesture can show that they are in disagreement with something said or done, or that they have a negative attitude.

Using only 1 arm (arm barrier) is a finer way of crossing the arms. Women do this more often than men.

You may see women:

- cross one arm in front of their body and hold onto the opposite upper arm
- play with a bracelet (armband) on the opposite wrist (pols)
- hold onto the strap of a handbag that’s hanging from the opposite shoulder.

You may see men:

- adjust the sleeve (mouw) of their shirt,
- rub (wrijven) the opposite lower arm.

If this gesture is a sudden change from someone’s normal behaviour, it means that a person feels more uncomfortable than before, or that they feel threatened.

arms