You look a little mad
Left over Right
Sometimes it just feels good. Folding your arms is one of those stances that gets a bad rap automatically because some brainiac in the past decided that it looked unwelcoming, angry or stubborn. Maybe they were just thinking about themselves. But the caricature has remained, and we seem stuck with it. Humans generally have a chosen way of folding their arms using one over the other without thinking about it. Unlike toddlers, we can’t always signal our displeasure by adding facial signals. There are certain methods of decorum to follow. But it is weird that it is uncomfortable to try and exchange the placement of one arm over the other. We have to actually burn some brain cells to do that. And it looks a little clumsy also. More important to note is when it occurs. When the world was working away from each other, it was a little easier to hide our irritation at work. Even staring into those teeny-weeny cameras reduced our eye rolls if we were quick enough to turn our heads or look down at something important. But the body can talk loudly when it is mad or fed up or has decided that it is done for the day. Maybe we do resemble toddlers. For some, the folding of arms is a method to quiet our insides. For others, it demonstrates strength. And it can even just be a comfortable posture to hide behind. If you can, fold your arms right now. If you want to check your own abilities, swap the one on top.
You look marvelous
Option #1: What does your go to angry stance look like?
Option #2: Are you able to talk with your arms folded?
Option #3: How do you want to be seen?
That’s it. After you choose the option that best describes your ability to fold your arms, take a few minutes to describe why you chose that option and what action, if any, may come next.
