The Interlock

The person crosses his/her arms and blocks the chest and stomach.

Meaning

Distance and Defense
The person has a distant attitude towards a person or situation.
You can't expect me to believe that.
Restraint
The person listens to the matter but is not yet ready to act.
We'll see how things develop.

Explanation

We protect our bodies from danger by building a shield. This self hug soothes and prevents us from acting rash. If hands or fists are tensed they reinforce the defensive meaning. \\nCaution: Crossed arms are not always a defensive reaction. Depending on the situation they can be relaxing or caused by cold. If the hands are eased up it is only a 'soft barrier'. If the hands are tensed up it shows the greater displeasure.

Categories

body
uneasy
defensive