body language: is it angry or not?
By psychoartist
@psychoartist (756)
United States
June 27, 2012 6:35pm CST
when i was a child if i saw my mother or grandmother with hands on their hips i knew they were angry and i or my siblings and i were probably in big trouble! sometimes, though i tend to stand with one hand or two on my hips especially if standing for long, or in a lineup in a shop...and i am not angry, just comfortable...has anyone else had this experience, or see a certain kind of body language in others that triggers feelings or reactions?
2 people like this
8 responses
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
29 Jun 12
hi chicgale...that is interesting about your daughter...i remember when i was a child and we children were naughty all my father had to do was snap his finger and we became good immediately! parents do have their language...
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Jun 12
I have seen this and other body language that does have its impression on me. My grandson crossing his arms and taking a stance. Or my daughter rolling her eyes. Such as this tell me that an 'attitude' is being displayed. I think that our experiences added to certain body language is what is in guestion. Think about it.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Jul 12
It is like an emotional map. Our experience tell it all.
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
28 Jun 12
ah yes, i did not even think about the eye rolling thing....you are right about our experiences, it is almost like an emotional map!
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
28 Jun 12
Body language is an important part of our communications between people..the both hands on the hips thing is a dominating posture,making the upper body more imposing..One hand on the hip can be relaxed,but can also be halfway to "Notice Me" or impatience,especially if you're standing in line!
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
28 Jun 12
interesting shepherdspy, i hadn't really consciously thought about it being a dominating posture...and about the "notice me" i remember photos of 50's and 60's glamorous actresses standing that way....yes! i can be impatient in line, but have noticed that i am holding on to my "bad" hip in those instances, i was run over by a truck when i was a teen and that hip has been weak and painful ever since....that reminds me that sometimes what we see as a certain kind of gesture is not meant by the gesturer, you just never know!
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
28 Jun 12
Most of the time,body language is unconscious,so you're not doing it deliberately..though if you are aware of it,you can modify or try and send different signals..as you say,Psychoartist,if that hip can get to be tired more easily due to the old injury,your posture will change to lessen any discomfort you might be feeling,subtly altering your body language..
Mentioning Superman and animation..have you ever seen the Disney animation sketches for "Magic Carpet" from "Aladdin"? The character was created in the form of a rolled up magic carpet,and yet with body language cues in posture they could make it appear by turns sad,or happy...
1 person likes this
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
28 Jun 12
If I see someone at work who is not smiling I avoid them! I know that person is angry about something! Usually when I see a person with hands on their hips they are angry. When I see someone cross their arms on their chest when they are talking to me,they are impaitent. It just I guess on the person and their personality! I know a person who for reasons unknown won't talk to certain people at work! You know she is angry when she is quiet and avoids everyone! That is not good!
1 person likes this
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
28 Jun 12
oh yeah, you are so right about the crossing the arms gesture...i have done this a lot though, when i am feeling insecure in a situation, like a trying to shrink or protect myself...in the case of the coworker, it is probably better that she is quiet and that everyone steer clear of her than the case of one of my former coworkers who threw an opened drink at someone once! eeeek!
@ajk111 (2495)
•
29 Jun 12
I think tones trigger feelings within me. I remember my fathers booming voice when he shouted at my mother when argueing when i was an infant and too this day (120 yrs later) i still shudder when i hear people arguing loudly.
As for body language, i rate it very highly as it helps defuse situations. in previous jobs i have relied on it and it makes me very aware of my own body language.
From working behind bars to management positions (yes, believe it or not several companies very silly enough to promote me) this awareness has defused many a potential incident. that and my ability to beg.
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
29 Jun 12
good point ajk111! i also feel uncomfortable with raised voices...and you are right, other people can decide your body language means something that you are unaware of...something important to remember on the job...
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
28 Jun 12
Hello the psychoartist
I, too, can recall memories of my mother standing as you say. Usually she would have one hand on the hip and the other moving agitatingly in a pointing the finger fashion. These days, when I see women assume this position it brings me bad memories and I try to get away from them.
I also think that it is comfortable to stand with hands on hips.
Peace
1 person likes this
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
28 Jun 12
thanks pageturner...i guess sometimes when you see these kinds of things you know it is time to go, hahalol! i have seen other ladies with hands on their hips and yelling at the same time and you know no good is going to come of that....peace to you and your family as well, pageturner...
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
28 Jun 12
Yes.
Sometimes when I am in the shops and I see the mothers take this posture with their children, I feel so sorry for the children and I silently pray for the ground to open up and swallow these women whole and I will adopt the child and love them.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jun 12
of course body language is a form of communication, therapists, and criminal investigators rely on it all the time.
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
29 Jun 12
too true winterose...i have an avid interest in forensic psychology and it is interesting to read or watch films in which perps give themselves away by small things they never even considered...
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
28 Jun 12
When I see my husband very serious, not talking at all and both hands crossing in his chest it means he is very hungry and dizzy. So I need to prepare something for him to let make him smile and talk to me. Sometimes we dont need to talk just to know to persons trying so say we just need to look on their body language and facial expression.
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
29 Jun 12
i think you are a very sweet and good wife bhebelen...your husband is very blessed to have a wife who knows and loves him so well and is so considerate of his needs...
