# Crossing your legs -- offensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358 "2012-12-07T21:55:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/21 "2012-12-10T20:44:07Z")
I’m a jeans wearing woman with long legs, and I sit ankle on knee all the time, especially if I have to sit for awhile. It just feels better by giving the thighs a stretch. I’ve never had any complaints. I could see how someone sitting next to me might not want my shoe to get too close, but still. I’ve never even been stared at for doing this. Maybe we’re just more relaxed about this stuff in the Midwest? I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/22 "2012-12-10T21:22:47Z")
It is rude in Asian cultures, and I admit I have a twinge of it when i cross my legs. But obviously that doesn’t stop me doing it. i try never to point the bottom of my foot at anyone, though. That does seem rude. I also think pointing at people is rude. I don’t think it’s rude enough to throw a fit, but still kind of not done. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/23 "2012-12-10T22:09:48Z")
Well, it’s definitely rude if it’s a crowded public transport. As in you’re taking up more space than you should - just like a guy sitting like he has such huge balls he has to sit with his legs at a 90 degree angle all up in your space. But if not… ---
**Author:** ![Modern\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@Modern\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern_Master)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/24 "2012-12-10T22:16:27Z")
I hope it’s not offensive. That means I offend people everyday. My legs get restless, so I have to cross them sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/25 "2012-12-10T22:49:47Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Well, it’s definitely rude if it’s a crowded public transport. As in you’re taking up more space than you should - just like a guy sitting like he has such huge balls he has to sit with his legs at a 90 degree angle all up in your space. But if not… No seriosuly, my balls are, like, huge. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/26 "2012-12-10T22:55:42Z")
I’m amused at how much interest this has created. To everyone mentioning the “taking up too much space” angle, when I did this there was plenty of room–everyone who wanted to sit had. (Some folks’ll stand on an empty car.) Having spent my earlier years wearing jockeys, my boys can take cramped quarters for a little while if common decency so demands. Personally, I think **Slithy Tove** nailed it: the dude was an ancient Greek. The flowing toga and laurel wreath should’ve given it away. 😃 By the way, on the pointing thing: I have a vague recollection of being taught it was “rude to point,” but the context was of “pointing and laughing” or “pointing and staring”. Briefly pointing someone out in a crowd, say–no biggie. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/27 "2012-12-10T23:05:35Z")
Many Native American cultures also find pointing to be extremely rude. The Indians I’ve known generally use lips or chins to “point” with. Asia is the only place I’ve heard of with the ‘bottom of the foot’ thing, but you can’t always tell by looking, y’know? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/28 "2012-12-10T23:06:26Z")
I’m familiar with the rule that it’s rude to point at someone. I suppose it’s a bit aggressive, kind of like saying, “Hey, you!” As far as I’m concerned, pointing itself isn’t rude, but it could be depending on the circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/29 "2012-12-10T23:30:34Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > By the way, on the pointing thing: I have a vague recollection of being taught it was “rude to point,” but the context was of “pointing and laughing” or “pointing and staring”. Briefly pointing someone out in a crowd, say–no biggie. But unless you’re _very_ close to the person you’re pointing out, how do _they_ know your intent? (And if you’re close enough that they know what you’re about, you can probably just tilt your head, or rotate an open hand, to indicate them.) ---
**Author:** ![qualityleashdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/9f8e36/32.png) [@qualityleashdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qualityleashdog)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/30 "2012-12-10T23:35:02Z")
I remember reading in some long-lost book that even in our American culture, it is considered bad form to allow the bottom of your shoe to be visible to anyone in the room, if you sit with your legs crossed. I subconciously think of the rule when I cross my legs, and do it only in the direction that allows me to follow the rule. But maybe you’ll think twice about crossing your legs next time, mainly because you won’t want to be thought of like this guy: [http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/shoe-mouth-better-a-hole-head](http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/shoe-mouth-better-a-hole-head) ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/31 "2012-12-11T00:44:05Z")
Incidentally, Miss Manners (in her _Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior_, 1982 ed., p. 105) firmly states, “A gentleman’s at-ease posture while seated is to place one ankle upon the opposite knee.” Therefore, if you are a gentleman, you may rest secure in the knowledge that you are behaving perfectly correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/32 "2012-12-11T19:19:03Z")
Thankfully, you only crossed your legs on a bus, instead of while meeting [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad](http://metro.co.uk/2012/12/10/swedish-diplomat-insults-irans-president-by-exposing-soles-of-his-shoes-3310937/). ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/33 "2012-12-11T19:31:53Z")
Do these people not realize they live in America? ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/34 "2012-12-11T19:38:37Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Thankfully, you only crossed your legs on a bus, instead of while meeting [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad](http://metro.co.uk/2012/12/10/swedish-diplomat-insults-irans-president-by-exposing-soles-of-his-shoes-3310937/). Mr. Ahmadinejad’s response, however, seems to be ill-considered: “You have insulted me by doing something perfectly acceptable in your culture which my culture finds deeply offensive! But, hah! I will show you! I will do something which my culture finds deeply offensive, but which your culture finds perfectly acceptable!” That’ll learn ya. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/35 "2012-12-11T19:39:33Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Do these people not realize they live in America? I live in America. I’ve lived here since I was four. I’m American. But…the way I was raised doesn’t die that easy, and I try never to show the sole of my foot to anyone. But I’ve also been raised with manners and thus wouldn’t say anything to anyone unless they were actively getting dirt from the sole of their shoe on me. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/36 "2012-12-11T19:56:47Z")
A short person came up with this rule, I am convinced. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/37 "2012-12-11T20:06:07Z")
It would only be rude if 1) took up too much space, but that wasn’t the case, or 2) you have smelly shoes or are going shoeless with smelly socks or feet, but there hasn’t been any indication of smelliness. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/38 "2012-12-11T20:16:07Z")
Perhaps it was your posture? Slumped down in the seat, legs stretched out where people can trip. That’s the only scenario I can think of as irritating. [Like this.](http://www.backseat.co.uk/images/slouching.jpg) Imagine he was on a bus seat. Its a tripping hazard. Otherwise, I see no harm in crossing your legs. ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/39 "2012-12-11T20:20:33Z")
Perhaps they thought you were trying to hide a boner and can only every be comfortable if they can see that, with your legs uncrossed, you were concealing no boner. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358/40 "2012-12-11T20:40:43Z")
> [@Mooch](#): > > Perhaps they thought you were trying to hide a boner and can only every be comfortable if they can see that, with your legs uncrossed, you were concealing no boner. Pretty sure that my running tights make it physiologically impossible to have a boner. While they are quite, um, revealing, they’re also… not exactly flattering, that way. There’s a reason I never wear them without **something** over them–shorts if it’s moderately cold, another layer of pants if it’s really cold. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-your-legs-offensive/643358.md?page=3)