# Poll for men and women - sitting and sexual preference **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 26, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023 "2012-02-26T01:51:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/1 "2012-02-26T01:51:13Z")
I have noticed that there are usually four distinct ways men and women sit. One, they sit with their knees together, with their knees apart, three, crossed with one leg making a “figure 4” pattern, and four, legs crossed at the knees. I want to see if there is a correlation between a way a person sits and/or crosses his/her legs, and their sexual preferences. This is an unscientific poll, but I figured this is an open, honest, and fairly broad cross section of people out there. I will make the poll private, in case someone isn’t interested in sharing their sexuality with the board, but feel free to comment if you are so inclined. Thanks, SFP ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/2 "2012-02-26T01:56:59Z")
Straight male. I’ve been told I “sit like a girl” when I cross my legs. I’ve got tight hip joints and sitting in the “4” position is uncomfortable for me. I either sit with one leg crossed over the other at the knee, or I sit with my legs apart. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/3 "2012-02-26T02:04:08Z")
wow, jjimm. I don’t know how you posted so quickly, as I was reviewing the poll, but impressive! I just wanted to add (and couldn’t edit the OP), that your response should reflect your usual way of sitting. Obviously, you may sit more than one way, but I’m going for your usual sitting style. Also, this is a private poll (at least it should be) so you don’t need to feel obligated to give details. If the poll isn’t anonymous, I’d like to ask a mod if they could make it so. I’m pretty sure I made the poll correctly, but just in case… FTR, I am a straight male, and sit with my legs crossed with one ankle resting on the opposite knee (the "figure 4) primarily, and the only other way I sit is with my legs spread apart. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/4 "2012-02-26T02:06:20Z")
I sit in the 4 position not because it’s the most comfortable, but because it’s the most possible. I’ve gotten too fat to sit crossed at the knee as I used to. Actually, it’s more comfortable to sit with my knees splayed out a bit, but I think it’s vulgar, so I try not to do that unless I’m lounging around at home. At work, it’s “4” or knees together, which is quite tiring, to be honest. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/5 "2012-02-26T02:54:44Z")
It’s actually a bit rude in Thailand to sit with legs crossed ankle on knee. That means you’re showing the bottom of your foot and/or pointing your foot at someone. I long ago ago got in the habit of crossing them at the knees like all the guys do here. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/6 "2012-02-26T02:58:49Z")
I’m male/straight, but I’ll sit in 3 out of 4 of those positions depending on the situation (crossing at the knees is uncomfortable, so I don’t do that). I’ll try to keep my knees together or do the 4-Position if I’m in a formal or professional setting, but it’s no guarantee. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/7 "2012-02-26T03:15:32Z")
I prefer to sit with my legs crossed [like this](http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/85699/85699,1202361400,3/stock-photo-young-woman-sitting-on-floor-meditating-in-yoga-lotus-pose-with-legs-crossed-and-eyes-closed-9467185.jpg), or with one leg tucked up under my butt and the other foot flat on the seat of the chair. But if I must behave myself and wear shoes or something, I’ll sit with my legs crossed at the knee. Straight female. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/8 "2012-02-26T05:51:26Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > It’s actually a bit rude in Thailand to sit with legs crossed ankle on knee. That means you’re showing the bottom of your foot and/or pointing your foot at someone. I long ago ago got in the habit of crossing them at the knees like all the guys do here. It is also rude in China because the subways, trains, and buses are so crowded there is not any extra room for people that want to sit with their legs crossed ankle on knee. I see most of the men sitting with their legs crossed at their knees. Not that there’s is anything wrong with that 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/9 "2012-02-26T06:11:45Z")
Ankle on knee. Sitting with your legs crossed like a girl with your knew over knee is way too effeminate. The old thought used to be that if you could cross your legs like that you must not have a very big dick because it’s certainly uncomfortable when you have cock and balls to deal with in there. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/10 "2012-02-26T07:11:34Z")
Female, straight, and you have missed the two most common ways I sit with my legs crossed. (1) crossed at ankle (2) crossed at knee, with foot tucked around ankle. When I catch myself in position (2) outside my office (i.e., where people can see me) I usually change to a different posture because it looks kind of strange. But I have seen other women do this, too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man do it. (At least one other woman I’ve seen do this is straight.) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/11 "2012-02-26T08:41:01Z")
Now I’m sitting at my desk I find that my legs are out straight, knees apart about 6", with my legs crossed at the ankle. So there’s another one for you. ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/12 "2012-02-26T09:04:11Z")
I’m currently sitting with my legs apart, knees up at chest level, feet up on the seat of my chair, and one heel resting on the other. What do I vote for? ---
**Author:** ![LorieSmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a587f6/32.png) [@LorieSmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LorieSmurf)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/13 "2012-02-26T10:31:13Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > Ankle on knee. Sitting with your legs crossed like a girl with your knew over knee is way too effeminate. The old thought used to be that if you could cross your legs like that you must not have a very big dick because it’s certainly uncomfortable when you have cock and balls to deal with in there. I’ve often wondered how the guys that sit like that handle their dangly bits. It seems pinchy to me. I noticed Charlie Sheen sits like that. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/14 "2012-02-26T11:00:34Z")
Most women sit with legs together, or men with legs apart, because of biology. The hip joint insists on it, it’s the natural comfortable arrangement. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/15 "2012-02-26T11:12:35Z")
I am bi an I sit all the ways. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/16 "2012-02-26T12:16:27Z")
> [@LorieSmurf](#): > > I’ve often wondered how the guys that sit like that handle their dangly bits. It seems pinchy to me. Depends what underwear you’re wearing. Boxers, yes it may require readjustment or a different position. CK trunk shorts are tight at the leg but have a convenient pouch that holds everything (mostly) out of the way. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/17 "2012-02-26T12:51:14Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Most women sit with legs together, or men with legs apart, because of biology. The hip joint insists on it, it’s the natural comfortable arrangement. Women sit with their legs together because it’s been drilled into them since they were little girls that nice girls do not sit with their legs apart. Female, straight, and I sit in most of those postitions, depending on where I am and what I’m doing and what kind of chair I’m sitting in. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/18 "2012-02-26T13:23:09Z")
> [@LorieSmurf](#): > > I’ve often wondered how the guys that sit like that handle their dangly bits. It seems pinchy to me. I noticed Charlie Sheen sits like that. This is one of those things that has always fascinated me. My brother in law is extremely effeminate, and sits this way. In fact, he is able to somehow curl one foot around the other leg’s calf with everything scrunched in there. Somewhere… My male cousin also sits like this (as does his father), so this is either a popular way for heterosexual men to sit, or my family has quite a few closeted homosexuals. Either way, I simply can’t sit this way because my manly bits get in the way. As for those of you that sit in ways that do not have a choice in the poll, sorry about that. I tried to get the four main ones, but clearly I missed a few. My suggestion is to take a guess, and get as much of the poll as possible correct. (Your sex and sexual orientation would be easy enough… then select the sitting position that sounds as close as possible). ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/19 "2012-02-26T13:40:27Z")
I am female, straight, and how I sit depends on where I am and what am I sitting on. On the table (what?): forelegs hanging down. On most chairs and armchairs (because they’re not big enough) and when there’s people around who aren’t “family”: knees closed, or legs crossed at the ankle, or legs crossed above the knee. Occasionally, and apparently I inherited this from my also-straight but definitely male grandfather: with my right ankle under my left knee. This requires a surface that’s large enough, neither too hard nor too soft, and I think I’ve only done it at work once (and it stopped the meeting… sheesh…). ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023/20 "2012-02-26T14:12:00Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > Female, straight, and you have missed the two most common ways I sit with my legs crossed. (1) crossed at ankle This is how I sit, and how I taught my daughters to sit, because A) habitually crossing your legs at the knee can contribute to varicose veins, and B) sitting with your knees crossed has always struck me as, I dunno…vulgar, somehow. No matter which sex does it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-men-and-women-sitting-and-sexual-preference/614023.md?page=2)