The Interlock

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

body language 3 interlockDistance 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.
Caution 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

This is one out of 63 gestures from the body language trainer.