# What's with women crossing their legs while standing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 9, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294 "2019-04-09T18:20:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/1 "2019-04-09T18:20:59Z")
I see this a lot, especially with younger women. They’ll be standing, waiting for their latte or paying for groceries or whatever, and they’ll have their legs kind of crossed, so left foot is crossed over to the right or vice versa. Is that just a position that is more anatomically comfortable, or is it a learned behavior? I never see men do this, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/2 "2019-04-09T19:09:23Z")
Interesting, I’ve never noticed that. Closest I’ve seen is the “selfie” pose, where you put one leg behind the other for a slimmer profile. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/3 "2019-04-09T19:40:26Z")
I find myself doing this when I’ve been standing at my standing desk too long. My first thought, however, went directly to “posing”. ---
**Author:** ![senoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@senoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/senoy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/4 "2019-04-09T19:53:08Z")
Learned behavior. It’s an attractive pose that was pushed heavily by celebrities. It gives the illusion of narrower knees which in turn make the hips appear more curvy and the waist appear narrower. Look up ‘crossed ankles pose’ and you can find history on it. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/5 "2019-04-09T19:57:47Z")
Oh, these young girls.They also do duck lips, and there’s no explaining that. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/6 "2019-04-09T20:05:04Z")
I just stood up and tried this, and it is more anatomically comfortable. Obviously only speaking for myself (a woman). Standing often hurts my back, and crossing my legs at the ankle makes it not hurt so much. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/7 "2019-04-09T20:06:21Z")
Disclaimer - my entire knowledge of this comes from a stupid elective class that I took way back in college. This is not my area of expertise. An “open” stance vs. a cross-legged stance when standing has a different non-verbal meaning in men and women. In men, an open stance is a more aggressive stance. Instinctively, it’s a “stand your ground” stance. It means “I’m not moving” and can be taken as a sign of aggression. For men, crossing your legs is a defensive stance, as in “I don’t want you to kick me in the nuts” stance. In women, the meaning is slightly different. An open stance is generally a more aggressive stance, but it can also indicate physical attraction (i.e. the woman opening her legs to indicate sexual willingness). A closed or legs crossed stance indicates sexual unwillingness. But a closed stance can also indicate submissiveness, or a lack of confidence or assertiveness. These are kinda general instincts though, and humans don’t always act on instinct, so do not take these as reliable indicators as much of anything. If you see a women standing with her legs crossed, it might indicate that she is lacking confidence, or who knows, she might just have to pee. And, as mentioned upthread, there are also learned behaviors such as posing that might override any natural instinctive stance. Men who try to use a woman’s stance as an indicator of attraction will also likely find it a rather unreliable indicator. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/8 "2019-04-09T20:10:38Z")
I do this a lot, and am always a little embarrassed when I catch myself. I just find it to be a very comfortable way of standing. I also prefer to sit with one foot tucked under my butt. I’m 38 and not a generally fancy lady or prone to posing. It’s purely a comfort thing. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/9 "2019-04-09T20:13:36Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > I do this a lot, and am always a little embarrassed when I catch myself. I just find it to be a very comfortable way of standing. I also prefer to sit with one foot tucked under my butt. I’m 38 and not a generally fancy lady or prone to posing. It’s purely a comfort thing. I sit this way, too!! It has to do with the way my back feels as well. Sticking a foot under my butt redistributes the weight or something like that, and it feels more comfortable. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/10 "2019-04-09T20:59:53Z")
My immediate thought was that it is related to the ridiculous shoes that many women wear. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/11 "2019-04-09T21:37:56Z")
So I texted the lil’wrekker. She claimed she never did something so ridiculous. I assured she did and gave her examples of when I’ve seen her doing it. So…she decided it must be when she feels awkward. I told her, luckily she looks cute doing it. She was happy with that. Oh, she’s 19. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/12 "2019-04-09T22:35:01Z")
Maybe something to do with uncomfy shoes? My feet are archless blobs. When I stand for a long time, I’ll sometimes cross my legs and stand on the outer edge of my feet. It somehow feels good. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/13 "2019-04-10T01:52:43Z")
Me three on the “sitting with my leg under my butt” thing. I noticed I have been standing more in a “T” shape lately, with one heel aligned with the arch of the other foot. I end up putting my weight on one leg but very balanced and comfortable. Probably the fat girl’s version of crossing at the ankles. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/14 "2019-04-10T05:36:40Z")
Babe Ruth famously crossed his legs while at bat. Take a good look at the first picture in this article. > **[Long-Lost Babe Ruth Interview Discovered In Prep School Archives](https://www.npr.org/2018/02/22/587412827/long-lost-babe-ruth-interview-discovered-in-prep-school-archives)** > > The interview is part of a collection donated to Cheshire Academy 20 years ago by broadcaster Joe Hasel. A Ruth historian tells NPR the recording offers some new insights about the ballplayer. Bigger version: [![](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2018/02/21/ap_98101401969_wide-8d773526da9e8faf074483112a1137495fee8012.jpg?s=1400) ](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2018/02/21/ap_98101401969_wide-8d773526da9e8faf074483112a1137495fee8012.jpg?s=1400) Another photo: [https://www.latimes.com/resizer/ug7NIBvkWezDZLU3he98m01pzjM=/fit-in/800x600/filters:fill(black)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/OC7MTCK6LVB2NAX32GMZJD4XCE.jpg](https://www.latimes.com/resizer/ug7NIBvkWezDZLU3he98m01pzjM=/fit-in/800x600/filters:fill(black)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/OC7MTCK6LVB2NAX32GMZJD4XCE.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/15 "2019-04-10T06:11:27Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Babe Ruth famously crossed his legs while at bat. Take a good look at the first picture in this article. > [Long-Lost Babe Ruth Interview Discovered In Prep School Archives : NPR](https://www.npr.org/2018/02/22/587412827/long-lost-babe-ruth-interview-discovered-in-prep-school-archives) > > Bigger version: > [https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2018/02/21/ap\_98101401969\_wide-8d773526da9e8faf074483112a1137495fee8012.jpg?s=1400](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2018/02/21/ap_98101401969_wide-8d773526da9e8faf074483112a1137495fee8012.jpg?s=1400) > > Another photo: > [https://www.latimes.com/resizer/ug7NIBvkWezDZLU3he98m01pzjM=/fit-in/800x600/filters:fill(black)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/OC7MTCK6LVB2NAX32GMZJD4XCE.jpg](https://www.latimes.com/resizer/ug7NIBvkWezDZLU3he98m01pzjM=/fit-in/800x600/filters:fill(black)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/OC7MTCK6LVB2NAX32GMZJD4XCE.jpg) Those are after a swing, he’s spun his body around causing his legs to cross. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/16 "2019-04-10T17:41:44Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > I sit this way, too!! It has to do with the way my back feels as well. Sticking a foot under my butt redistributes the weight or something like that, and it feels more comfortable. I always did this too. A word of caution: Make sure your lower leg hasn’t fallen asleep before you stand up. The fall can be unpleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/17 "2019-04-10T18:01:43Z")
It would work better in pants or a pencil skirt. In the long full skirts I favor, it would have less effect and make the stance a little less stable. So I rely on the classic T feet stance; it works well for the posture, curve of the hips, and overall poise. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/18 "2019-04-10T21:02:47Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Those are after a swing, he’s spun his body around causing his legs to cross. Concur. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/19 "2019-04-10T22:30:16Z")
This video shows Ruth’s stance: Not sure you could even swing a bat with legs crossed. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2019, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294/20 "2019-04-11T11:26:21Z")
When I saw fashion models doing this for photos, I always thought it was because they were bursting for the loo. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-women-crossing-their-legs-while-standing/832294.md?page=2)