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HamtaroCappy
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18 Jul 2014, 1:29 am

I tend to put my hands behind my head a lot (it's just something I do), but I was reading an article about that being body language for a person thinking they have superiority, but it's just something I do. Does this mean I should stop, or should I not worry about it because it's just one article? I don't think I have superiority over people.



mezzanotte
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18 Jul 2014, 3:25 am

That's just some writer's opinion. It's a normal posture that I see all the time. I consider it more complimentary than rude. If someone leans back and rests their head on their hands, that indicates that they're comfortable, enjoy being there, and intend to stay for a while. Just don't get so comfortable that you close your eyes or start to yawn. :wink:



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18 Jul 2014, 5:58 am

Hands behind the head is just one clue in body language. The articles on body language I have read say to read body language in a cluster - look for multiple clues in order to really understand the meaning. Just one clue by itself could mean several different things.

Hands behind the head could mean that person is feeling superior over the other person, or it could mean the person is relaxed. The other body language clues would determine which one it is, like how the legs are held, tone of voice, eye movement, etc.

I've done quite a bit of reading on the subject over the last year or two. It has been really helpful. There are some really good websites out there explaining all this.



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18 Jul 2014, 1:15 pm

I think it must be a sign of small handedness :wink:



mezzanotte
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19 Jul 2014, 1:48 pm

nerdygirl wrote:

Hands behind the head could mean that person is feeling superior over the other person


I'm going to start doing this more often now just to see people's reactions. : )



nerdygirl
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19 Jul 2014, 1:57 pm

mezzanotte wrote:
nerdygirl wrote:

Hands behind the head could mean that person is feeling superior over the other person


I'm going to start doing this more often now just to see people's reactions. : )


Make sure you lean back in your chair and have a smug look on your face, too. :wink:



Kiriae
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19 Jul 2014, 2:08 pm

HamtaroCappy wrote:
I tend to put my hands behind my head a lot (it's just something I do), but I was reading an article about that being body language for a person thinking they have superiority, but it's just something I do. Does this mean I should stop, or should I not worry about it because it's just one article? I don't think I have superiority over people.


Looks like my body language works like it should - at least when I sleep.
I always wondered why I am waking up with hands behind my head every time I am sharing a room with someone I feel responsible for - and only then. It never happens when I sleep alone or when I share a room with someone who takes care of me. Only when I feel superior to my roommates.



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19 Jul 2014, 2:29 pm

Humpty Dumpty's got quite a big head.


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19 Jul 2014, 6:54 pm

Nope, it means they have handheadedness.



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20 Jul 2014, 12:17 pm

I think this is one of those instances where its best not to believe everything you read....never in my life have I heard of that. I feel like that is almost as ridiculous as saying if someone moves their hands around a lot when they talk its a sign they don't care what the other person has to say....when reality people either do it for empathis or are like me and it just happens.

I think things like rolling your eyes and looking at someone with disgust are more things people do to tray to show superiority.


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20 Jul 2014, 9:50 pm

Perhaps. The only evidence I have of someone doing this is Steve Jobs.


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21 Jul 2014, 4:39 pm

I think this relates to the body language issues discussed here:
http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your ... ho_you_are

I think it is true that an expansive posture such as hands behind the head and elbows out implies relaxed dominance. This might be construed in certain circumstances as bigheadedness, but that usually means someone is asserting dominance that they don't really have.