Walking With Arms Behind Back

Reason 1: Signal of authority and power

 

Placing your arms behind your back is very much the opposite of crossing your arms protectively in front of you. By holding your hands behind you, you expose the front of your body, where all sorts of sensitive organs like your heart, lungs and intestines are found. In animal-terms, you are exposing yourself to potential attack. Such little concern regarding your unprotected state indicates feelings of confidence, power, superiority and authority. It is as if they are saying “I’m so powerful, no-one would dare do anything to me, so I need not protect my front!”.

 

This is most likely the subconscious reason for taking on this posture by royalty, people with a lot of power (in the cartoon world this includes Tinkerbell!) and people who deem themselves important such as policemen and teachers.

 

Reason 2: Physical Restraint: Holding back their arms from throwing a punch

 

If rather than a relaxed palm-in-palm hands behind the back you have a more intense gripping of hands or one hand tightly gripping a fisted other hand at the wrist, or further up the arm, it is quite likely to indicate restrained frustration or aggression. 

 

Here the subconscious message is: ”You can’t see how frustrated I am, but if my hand would let go of the other, boy would you know!” 

 

Reason 3: Mental Restraint: Holding back the truth

It need not necessarily be physical restraint. Holding back and hiding thoughts and words may also be symbolised by holding your hands behind your back. Generally hiding your palms is sometimes linked with hiding things, or even lying.

 

Sometimes people who hold their hands behind their back are surprised when they are met with hostility, and this may well be because the message they are sending is that they are potentially untrustworthy, aggressive or superior! No great wonder it is not the best way to come across as friendly!