Gestures and their meaning
A list with often used gestures and poses and their meaning.
Gesture:
Brisk, erect walk
Meaning:
Confidence
Gesture:
Standing with hands on hips
Meaning:
Readiness, aggression
Gesture:
Sitting with legs crossed, footkicking slightly
Meaning:
Boredom
Gesture:
Sitting, legs apart
Meaning:
Open, relaxed
Gesture:
Arms crossed on chest
Meaning:
Defensiveness
Gesture:
Walking with hands in pockets,shoulders hunched
Meaning:
Dejection
Gesture:
Hand to cheek
Meaning:
Evaluation, thinking
Gesture:
Touching, slightly rubbing nose
Meaning:
Rejection, doubt, lying
Gesture:
Rubbing the eye
Meaning:
Doubt, disbelief
Gesture:
Hands clasped behind back
Meaning:
Anger, frustration, apprehension
Gesture:
Locked ankles
Meaning:
Apprehension
Gesture:
Head resting in hand, eyesdowncast
Meaning:
Boredom
Gesture:
Pinching bridge of nose, eyesclosed
Meaning:
Negative evaluation
Gesture:
Tapping or drumming fingers
Meaning:
Impatience
Gesture:
Rubbing hands
Meaning:
Anticipation
Gesture:
Sitting with hands claspedbehind head, legs crossed
Meaning:
Confidence, superiority
Gesture:
Open palm
Meaning:
Sincerity, openness, innocence
Gesture:
Steepling fingers
Meaning:
Authoritative
Gesture:
Patting/fondling hair
Meaning:
Lack of self-confidence; insecurity
Gesture:
Quickly tilted head
Meaning:
Interest
Gesture:
Stroking chin
Meaning:
Trying to make a decision
Gesture:
Looking down, face turned away
Meaning:
Disbelief
Gesture:
Biting nails
Meaning:
Insecurity, nervousness
Gesture:
Pulling or tugging at ear
Meaning:
Indecision
Gesture:
Prolonged tilted head
Meaning:
Boredom