Everything you need to know about body language Part III: The arms

Out of all the remarkable features that distinguish humans from other animals, our arms stand out as a testament to our incredible adaptability and skillfulness. These remarkable appendages possess an almost magical ability to express our deepest emotions, respond to threats, and convey both aggression and compassion. Our arms hold the power to shape our interactions and influence the outcomes of our encounters. In this captivating exploration of arm body language, we will unravel the secrets behind this extraordinary tool and discover how mastering its nuances can empower us in social, personal, and professional realms. Prepare to unlock the captivating world of arm communication and harness its persuasive potential.

Why should we trust the arms ?

Its language is so instilled in our brain that: “In my work in the FBI, I have seen individuals shot in the arm as they used their upper limbs in an attempt to defend themselves from handgun fire” – Joe Navarro, what’s everybody is saying.

Positive Sign

Hands in the air: happy, positive emotion. When you watch sport, people often make high five after good plays.

Fully reach out arm: welcome. As opposed to half reach out arm, only from the elbow to the hand: not really welcoming.

Arms spread: confident, comfortable, dominance. You often see this when a confident guy is sitting with his girl with one hand around her on the sofa, but the other arm is down, meaning he’s comfortable and “claim her”.

Arm close together with partners: the relationship is close. Pay attention when a couple sit next to each other in a table, are their hands close, touching or far away from each other.

Negative Sign

Arms withdrawal: when a person is fearful, worry, injured or abused. You probably have already seen or can picture this in your head: you’re giving a little girl a mystery box and tell her to reach inside, she’s getting excited but constantly withdrawing her arms, that’s because she’s also worry from what might be inside.

Arm withdrawal is often seen with arm across the body or arms in front of the chest. This is a protective sign, not necessarily when a person is in danger, it can be applied to various occasions, such as when 2 people are arguing.

Arms behind the back: don’t want to be talked to, don’t get close.

Hands on the hips: authority, I’m standing my ground not changing my mind. You see this everyday in your teachers, pollice, etc.

Sitting down with hands behind the head: authority, dominance.

Sign To Watch Out For

Arm restriction: this might be a sign of abusive in a child, similar to when animal play dead.

“Years ago, I became aware of a young girl who, while normally gregarious and outgoing, would restrain her arms whenever her mother was around”

“I was relieved to learn that this matter was later referred to authorities, after others at the swim facility made the same observations”

Joe Navarro – What’s everybody is saying.

If someone understand arm body language, they might make themself unnoticed by withdrawing their arms, make themself smaller and do their things.

This can be seen in shoplifters. They often look around a lot when entering the store to see where’s people at, then make themself smaller, take something then walk out unnoticed by anyone.

Tips

When welcoming someone, for business or social purposes, remember to fully extend your arm. People might not be able to say why in words, but subconsciously their brain will tell them that you’re not actually welcoming them.

I recommend reading: What’s everybody is saying by Joe Navarro.