Here's What It Means When Someone Crosses Their Legs

Why do people cross their legs?

Comfort Both men and women sit cross-legged because it's a comfortable position for our bodies. Sitting cross-legged reduces muscle fatigue in the torso and shifts the weight off soft tissues. It also helps stabilize the lower extremities, such as your legs, ankles, and feet. Comfortable cross-legged positions you can try include criss-cross applesauce, crossing one foot until your opposing thigh or your buttocks, or crossing one leg over the other at the knees.

Confidence Men and women adopt cross-legged positions to project confidence. Men, for example, tend to opt for the Figure 4 pose in which they prop their ankle on top of the opposing knee or thigh. Women typically cross at the knees and point their top foot outward instead of tucking it demurely back.

Elegance Women cross their legs at the ankles to demonstrate elegance and poise. This is a favored position of the female members of the royal family in England such as Princess Kate Middleton and Duchess Meghan Markle. Another elegant pose is crossing the legs and then tucking them both slanted back toward your chair legs instead of pointing the feet outward.

Relaxation When a man or woman crosses their legs, it may be a sign they feel relaxed and comfortable wherever they're sitting and whomever they're with. When they uncross, they may be getting ready to leave – or they could simply be shifting to stretch their legs. Many of the meanings behind crossing your legs can change based on the context of the situation.

Modesty Women often cross their legs at the knees or the ankle to bring their thighs together and maintain modesty in a mini-skirt or a short dress. Similarly, men may cross their legs at the knees to appear less dominant and more relaxed. Not as many men cross their legs at the knees, however, since this position can put uncomfortable pressure on their crotch area.

Is sitting with your legs crossed attractive?

Women look attractive when they cross one leg over the other. This pose shows off their legs and lets them point their top foot outward if they want or tuck it back, both of which can be extremely alluring. A great example of an attractive leg cross by a woman is the infamous interrogation scene in Basic Instinct (1992) starring Sharon Stone.

Men's attractiveness while sitting cross-legged depends on confidence. They can sit with one leg crossed over another or adopt the Figure 4 position and look perfectly sexy. A big part of the allure is their atttitude. If they appear nervous or even overly confident, they'll kill the vibe. Men should also avoid crossing at their ankles, as that position hints that you have something to hide – not attractive at all!

Why do people cross their legs while standing?

Crossing the legs while standing is a typical modeling pose. It lends the model a demure, diminutive look which can enhance the outfit they're wearing, but it also makes their legs look half as wide as they are in real life. This position doesn't offer much stability, though, so avoid using it unless you're posing for pictures.

Does crossing their legs toward you mean they like you?

Pointing their leg at you cross-legged can mean they're smitten. If you're in a room with several people and someone sitting cross-legged is pointing their knee or foot at you, it may not be a coincidence. They may be positioning themselves to look at you full-on and command your complete attention or so they can brush your foot with theirs. They could also just be sitting that way by accident, or they could be pointing their foot at you to stretch their toes. The way someone sits doesn't always have a deeper meaning or a complex thought process behind it.

Is sitting cross-legged bad for your health?

Sitting cross-legged can positively impact your alignment and stability. A study in 2016 showed that when people who have one leg that's longer than the other sit cross-legged, it can help their pelvis align better. Cross-legged poses can also stabilize the sacroiliac joints which transfer weight between your upper body and your legs.

Sitting cross-legged can negatively affect your blood pressure and nerves. The main pose to worry about is crossing your legs at the knees, as this can cause blood to pool in your veins and your blood pressure to rise temporarily. Crossing your legs at the knees can also misalign your hips and increase the likelihood you'll develop scoliosis over time.