Patti shares her insights on "What Does Your Couples Pose Say About You?" for Elite Daily.
It’s super common
for couples to hold hands in photos. Wood, who has been studying handholding and
other forms of touch for well over 20 years, says it can reveal a lot about the power dynamic in a
relationship,
as well as demonstrate a certain kind of tenderness. She also says the
placement of the hands can indicate which person is in control — or wants to be.
“There’s just a
wealth of information in a handhold,” she says. “Typically, it reveals
something about connection and control. If a couple chooses to hold hands, at
least one member of the couple wants to be seen as a unit. Look for certain
qualities of interconnectedness between the hands, and whose hand is on top and
whose is on the bottom.”
Another popular
pose is for one partner to place their hand on the other’s chest or stomach.
Wood explains that this may be just a practical way for the shorter partner to
stay physically connected and express affection. But she notes that it can also
sometimes be a way of saying “they’re mine” because the hand forms a barrier
between the partner and other people. In order to distinguish between the two
possibilities, Wood often looks for subtleties in the hand. For example, a
relaxed, loosely cupped hand on the chest is less likely to suggest
possessiveness than a hand that’s pressed down tightly for more control.
But what about the hand on the lower back? Experts agree that
can mean multiple things as well.
“It can be very
chivalrous or it can have a negative connotation depending on the context of
the situation,” says Traci Brown.
Wood concurs, noting
that it can show one partner’s desire to help and guide the other.
“The thing to look at
is — how easy is it for the person to get out of their position? That tells you
a lot about the power balance.”
Wood points out that
it’s a lot easier to step backwards and forward with a hand on your lower back
than it is with a hand on your upper back, which may indicate a message of
ownership or control.
Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at
www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at
www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
