Body Language of Rolled Up Sleeves
Cue: Rolled Up Sleeves
Synonym(s): N/A
Description: When someone, usually a man, rolls up his sleeves when preparing for work.
In One Sentence: Rolling up the sleeves signals the desire to get to work.
How To Use it: Presidents and other politicians use this cue to good effect. By rolling up the sleeves you are showing others that you are ready to get your hands busy with work. Since rolling up the sleeves reminds us of moving them out of the way so we won’t dirty them, it caries a, ‘getting down to business’ metaphorical meaning.
In a confrontation, rolling up the sleeves can signal that aggression is immanent and signals to others that they should back off. Regardless of the context, when we role up our sleeves it will be read by others as a willingness to get things done in a proactive sense.
Men can use the cue in a dating context to show off their forearms. It is generally well received by women.
Context: a) General b) Business.
Verbal Translation: “I’m rolling up my sleeves to keep them from getting in the way of my productivity – let’s get down to business.”
Variant: N/A.
Cue In Action: a) The maid rolled up her sleeves before doing a scrub down on the toilet. b) Barack Obama habitually roles up his sleeves when he’s addressing the crowed. He wants them to know that he’s prepared and ready to take action and more importantly, get results.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Rolling up the sleeves gesture symbolizes a desire to get down to business in a less formal manner. Barack Obama can be seen doing this when speaking on change and action. Rolling up the sleeves body language is most powerful when done in a shirt and tie.
Women usually perceive this body language as masculine and sexy since it puts the forearms on display. The suit and tie also indicate alpha male power traits, which adds to the appeal.
When sleeves are rolled up in a general context, such as for cleaning, the cue indicates competence, but not necessarily prestige. It is the cue taken in a clean, authoritative, alpha context, by a perceived leader that provides the cue with its widespread positive appeal.
Cue Cluster: When performed in a general context, the cue simply means the desire to get to work and remove the sleeves from the potential chance of getting sullied. However, in the political or business context watch for additional confident cues such as head high, fluent speech, loose body, arms gesticulating and a good upright posture.
Body Language Category: Amplifier, Authoritative body language, Confident body language, Dominant body language, High confidence body language, Leadership body language.
Resources:
Pease, Barbara and Allan Pease. 2006. The Definitive Book of Body Language Hardcover. Bantam.