{"id":321,"date":"2014-10-20T13:36:40","date_gmt":"2014-10-20T13:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bodylanguageproject.com\/nonverbal-dictionary\/?p=321"},"modified":"2015-06-04T16:27:15","modified_gmt":"2015-06-04T16:27:15","slug":"body-language-of-the-chair-straddler-or-seat-straddling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bodylanguageproject.com\/nonverbal-dictionary\/body-language-of-the-chair-straddler-or-seat-straddling\/","title":{"rendered":"Body Language of The Chair Straddler or Seat Straddling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Body Language of The Chair Straddler or Seat Straddling<\/p>\n

\"BodyLanguageProjectCom<\/a>Cue<\/strong>: Chair Straddling<\/p>\n

Synonym(s)<\/strong>: Seat Straddling<\/p>\n

Description<\/strong>: A sitting posture where a person sits on a chair backwards with their legs spread wide open and the forearms rested on the back of the chair.<\/p>\n

In One Sentence<\/strong>: The chair straddler is perceived as cowardly as his genitals are on display, but he hides behind the shield of the chair.<\/p>\n

How To Use it<\/strong>: Use this posture to appear timid and cowardly, but also dominant and aggressive. In other words, its use is limited to appearing socially awkward. Perhaps its use is best left to television characters trying to appear socially challenged.<\/p>\n

Context<\/strong>: General<\/p>\n

Verbal Translation<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m going to spread my legs behind this protective barrier showing myself to be dominant, authoritative and yes cowardly at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Variant<\/strong>: See Leg Spreading<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cue In Action<\/strong>: Charles made himself comfortable by pulling up a chair from another table, turning it around and sitting in it. His folded arms were placed on the back of the chair and his legs spread wide open facing everyone else.<\/p>\n

Meaning and\/or Motivation<\/strong>: A dominant body position where the back of the chair is utilized as a barrier or shield to separate the individual from others. So while leg spreading appears dominant since the genitals are fully exposed, the back of the chair acts like a shield making the chair straddler appear cowardly. Chair straddlers are people who wish to remain protected while interacting with others.<\/p>\n

If the straddler is the type who habitually tosses figurative spears or flings arrows from behind his barrier, then he may be read as insecure and lacking in confidence. The chair straddler might defend his seating style by saying \u201cit\u2019s comfortable,\u201d but the body language reader should ask himself \u201cwhat it is about the posture, that makes the straddler feel so comfortable?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cue Cluster<\/strong>: The arms are usually folded across the back of the chair coupled with a crooked smile, leaning in to invade space, and a boisterous attitude.<\/p>\n

Body Language Category<\/strong>: Dominant body language, Arrogance or arrogant body language, Aggressive body language, Barriers, Defensive, Low confidence body language, Expansive movements, Threat displays, Crotch Display.<\/p>\n

Resources: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Allen, Jill; Sarah J. Gervais and Jessi L. Smith. Sit Big to Eat Big: The Interaction of Body Posture and Body Concern on Restrained Eating. Psychology of Women Quarterly 2013. 37(3): 325-336. DOI: 10.1177\/0361684313476477pwq.sagepub.com<\/p>\n

Sit Big To Eat Big \u2013 How Constrictive Postures Reduce Food Consumption<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n