What Does It Mean When Someone Puts Their Hands behind Their Back?

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Breaking down the body language behind this common posture
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When someone puts their hands behind their back, it can be interpreted several different ways depending on the situation, who the person is, and how relaxed their posture is. This pose might be more dominant, indicating that the person’s feeling confident, or it might be more submissive, meaning the person feels insecure or uncomfortable. Keep reading to learn how to decipher this pose based on posture and context.

Things You Should Know

  • When someone puts their hands behind their back when their back is straight and their hands just touch each other, it might mean they feel confident.
  • If someone tightly clasps their hands or grabs their wrist, it could mean they’re feeling uncomfortable or insecure.
  • If the other person has their hands behind their back with their body angled away from you, it might be a sign they want to leave the current situation.
Section 1 of 2:

What does it mean when someone puts their hands behind their back?

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    When someone’s back is straight with their feet shoulder-distance apart, they take up a lot of space and look well-balanced. Their arms are behind their back, leaving their chest exposed, suggesting that this person is feeling confident, powerful, and comfortable in their environment. [1]
    • Body language cues: The feet are slightly pointed out, shoulders are back, chest looks “puffed-out,” and arms are relaxed. Their hands might touch each other but are not clasped, ready to swing around in a split second if someone challenges them.
    • Differences to note: This version of the pose is more expanded than the others, with the shoulders back and feet pointed out, which indicates dominance. Their relaxed arms and open chest indicate that this person isn’t afraid about what anyone else is going to do to them. [2]
    • Examples: You might notice when people in positions of power go into this pose, like CEOs, royal figures, and politicians. [3] Policemen, priests, and teachers might also use this pose to show that they’re in charge.
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    When a person puts their hands behind their back with their back straight or slightly leaned forward, it might mean they feel open and comfortable. [4] Their exposed chest suggests that they don’t feel anxious or threatened—instead, they feel completely at ease in their environment.
    • Body language cues: Their feet are shoulder-width apart, their legs are slightly bent, their hands are located at the small of their back, and their back is straight or slightly bent.
    • Differences to note: In the military, a leader might command their soldiers to be “at ease,” meaning they stand relaxed with their hands behind their backs. [5] However, others might look even more relaxed, with their arms completely limp behind them.
    • Examples: You might see a person taking a leisurely stroll through the park with their hands comfortably behind their back. Older or elderly people with back problems might also place their hands behind their backs because it’s more comfortable.
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    When someone stands with their shoulders slumped forward and one of their hands clasping their wrist or arm, they can appear smaller and less balanced. This less powerful, more submissive version of the pose might mean the person’s feeling insecure or uncomfortable. [6]
    • Body language cues: A straight back, feet close together, noticeable arch in the lower back, and straight or tense arms. If they clasp their wrist, both arms are behind their back. If they clasp their arm, one of their arms is behind their body, and the other is visible but slightly pulled back.
    • Differences to note: This pose has more tension than the first pose, which can slow the person’s reactions. The arm or wrist clasp might also be a way to comfort themselves. If their stance is even more tense, it might mean they’re trying to control frustration or anger. [7]
    • Examples: You may see someone clasp their arm behind their back when they’re talking to their crush for the first time or when they’re about to give a presentation. This pose is most common in children and teens, but adults might also use this position.
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    When someone talks openly and confidently, they might make gestures with their hands . [8] However, a person with their hands behind their back and their body pointing away from you might want to leave the current situation as soon as possible. [9] This pose can also be a sign they have something to hide.
    • Body language cues: Their body is tilted away from you, they’re looking down or away, their hands are clasped together, and their feet are pointing in the opposite direction as the person they’re talking to. [10]
    • Differences to note: This pose is similar to the arm or wrist-clasp version, but usually their hands are clasped together and their body is turned away.
    • Examples: You might see someone go into this pose in the middle of an awkward conversation or when someone brings up a topic they’re sensitive about.
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Section 2 of 2:

Reading Body Language Cues

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    In combination with body movement, posture, and gestures, reading facial expressions can help you estimate what the other person is thinking or feeling. Even something as small as a tilt of the head or a shift of the eyes can clue you into what the other person is knowingly or unknowingly expressing. [11]
    • For example, when you bring up an uncomfortable topic, the other person might look away, their smile might falter, or they might subtly shift their feet to show that they want to leave the conversation.
    • Unlike some gestures, facial expressions are universal across all cultures. [12]
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    Nonverbal communication repeats and often strengthens the message that the other person is making verbally. However, it can also contradict what the person says, indicating that they might not be telling the truth. [13]
    • For example, when you ask someone a question, they might shake their head “no” while they verbally say “yes.”
    • If your friend has a big presentation today, they might put their hands behind their back and slouch forward, but when you ask them how they’re feeling about it, they might lie and say that they feel confident and prepared.
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    Nonverbal body language can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the situation, the relationships between the people in conversation, and the person’s culture. [14] Try not to read too much into a person’s nonverbal cue, and instead consider how all the signals work together.
    • For example, if you’re having a conversation with your boss and they have their hands behind their back, they’re probably feeling dominant and confident.
    • On the other hand, if you’re talking to a person you don’t know very well or to someone who is known for being shy and they place their hands behind their back, they might be feeling more insecure or nervous.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap6.html
      2. ↑ https://www.scienceofpeople.com/confident-female-body-language/
      3. ↑ https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap6.html
      4. ↑ https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Media/Media-Training/Body-Language/
      5. ↑ https://www.unl.edu/armyrotc/HandbookChapters/Chapter9.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.scienceofpeople.com/arm-body-language/
      7. ↑ https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap6.html
      8. ↑ https://www.calcoast.edu/news/nail-your-next-job-interview-with-the-correct-body-language
      9. ↑ https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/342/files/2017/01/Good-Delivery-Skills.pdf
      1. ↑ https://fremont.edu/how-to-read-body-language-revealing-the-secrets-behind-common-nonverbal-cues/
      2. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/body-language#understanding-and-reading-it
      3. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/nonverbal-communication.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/nonverbal-communication.htm
      5. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/body-language

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