Body language

The Hips, Buttocks and Genitals

The Hips, Buttocks, and Genitals

A body-language guide must include the area between the navel and the top of the legs. Our hips, angled just right so we can walk or run on two legs at great speed, give us shape and form, but they also say something about us- whether that something is about our reproductive health or our sensuality. As the renowned zoologist Desmond Morris points out in his book Bodywatching, throughout the world the hips and buttocks serve to attract and entice. The earliest sculpture ever discovered of a woman, the Venus of Hohle Fels, upward of 35,000 years old, is a masterpiece of the female form, emphasizing the hips, genitals, and the buttocks. Similar figurines have been found all over the world, which speaks to the natural attraction we have for this area of the body. Here is an opportunity to explore what this area of the body can communicate to us beyond the obvious.

351. HIP/BUTTOCK SHIFTING -Hip swiveling or buttock wiggling is a way of dealing with stress, boredom, or the fatigue of sitting in one place, People might also do this during contentious debates, either when their emotions have been riled up or just afterward, as a process of calming down. You rarely see this with couples early on in their relationship; it tends to show up, if at all, down the road when there are issues being discussed.

352. HIP RUBBING-Under stress, people will rub the side of their hips and legs as a pacifier. It is also used to dry sweaty hands when feeling nervous. You see this gesture as students prepare to take a test or as travelers go through customs.

353. HIP-TORSO ROCKING Individuals under psychological duress might rock forward and backward at the hips while sitting. Severe stress, such as witnessing the death of a loved one, will initiate this behaviour, which pacifies with its repetitive motion. You might also see this behavior in people suffering from certain mental disorders such as those on the autism spectrum.

354. HIP SWAYING -When bored, we might find ourselves standing and swaying our hips side to side, as if cradling and rocking a baby to sleep. Swaying our hips causes the fluid and hairs in our inner ear to move, and that sensation is very soothing. This is different from hip-torso rocking, which is forward and back.

355. HIP-OUT DISPLAY-The hips are used by both men and women to get noticed, as in the famous statue of David by Michelangelo, where he stands contrapposto, with one leg slightly bent, making his buttocks more prominent and thus more attractive. Larger hips can also be used to garner attention-something Kim Kardashian does with pride and regularity. Hip-out displays are usually seen in courtship behavior to invite notice. In many cultures throughout the world the hips represent youth and fertility and are prominently displayed especially during the courtship years.

356. GENITAL TOUCHING-Teachers often report how young boys, and sometimes girls, will touch or pull at their genitals through their clothing. This is quite natural; the genitals contain an extraordinary number of nerve endings, which, when touched, not only soothe or calm children, but feels pleasant. Eventually kids outgrow this behavior, and it is not unusual or anything to be overly concerned about.

357. CROTCH GRABBING-This behavior, made famous by Michael Jackson while dancing, shocked many when first performed, yet today it is quite common in entertainers. There are many theories as to why some men do this: to garner attention, as a manhood display, or merely to adjust for comfort. On adult males, it can be quite disturbing if done repetitively and at a close distance such as an office, as women have reported to me. It certainly should be avoided in public.

358, GENITAL FRAMING-Often done by cowboys in movies or in photographs, this is where the man places the thumbs inside the pants or hooks them on his belt and the fingers straddle the crotch area. Genital framing is used to garner attention and serves as a masculine display. Usually the elbows are thrust outward, making the man look bigger and appear tougher.

159. GENITAL COVERING -We might place our hands together over our genitals or crotch in certain situations-in elevators, for example, where men will look at the numbers or the door while doing so. This behavior can be effective in dealing with social anxiety or if someone is standing too close.

360. SITTING KNEES FAR APART-Often referred to as "manspreading," this is where a man sits, often on public transportation, with the knees far apart. This is considered rude due to how much space a person takes up in this position, and the less-than-diplomatic display of the inner legs and the crotch, and it is inconsiderate.

(A bit awkward)
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