wherever i am i always see someone crossing their legs (at the knee) i've seen so many people do it mainly women. my gilfriend always crosses her legs when she sits no matter what she is wearing. i was just curious why people do it, and do you notice when you do or out of habbit?
2006-11-26 01:42:30 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I was taught to do it ever since I was quite young, so it's a long-running habit. It's also a relatively comfortable way to sit, seeing as how etiquette rules say that girls shouldn't sit with their legs open. I get tired of sitting with my ankles crossed. However, I understand that crossing your legs is bad because it can cause varicose veins and hip problems.
2006-11-27 13:18:14 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people sit with their legs crossed because it is comfortable. There was a time, however, when it was appropriate for girls and ladies to cross their legs when in public because it was inappropriate for them not to do so. If a girl or woman were wearing a dress it was disgusting and she appeared cheap and easy if she were to sit with her legs apart or not crossed. In these days, I don't believe girls are being taught that it is polite to sit with their legs crossed either at the knees or with their legs both to one side and their ankles crossed.
I taught my daughters the appropriate way to sit because they look clean and well behaved. Some doctors say that woman should not cross their legs at the knee but should cross them at the ankle. Some say that it is a matter of personal preference.
Me, on the other hand, I believe that any female who does not cross her legs while sitting looks a bit crass. I don't care if they are wearing a skirt or slacks, females should put their legs together while sitting on a couch during conversations, while sitting opposit someone, while watching movies in public etc..
When you are at home with family sitting around there is no need for this, unless there is a male in the room and you are wearing a nightie or a dress!
Crossing your legs is a sign, to me, that you respect yourself and respect the people around you! It is, to me, a sign of strength and integrity that is lacking in our everyday lives. We live in a world that is filled with people who think only of themselves and have little or no respect or regaurd for others. This is just a small way to show people how respectful you truely are!
But, like I always say, this is just a matter of opinion and people will tell you that it means nothing. However if you loved a time when ladies were ladies and men were gentle, you will regaurd this small action with the uttmost respect.
Most people beleive that if you act like a lady you are bowing to the needs and wills of men. However, I bow to no man! I respect myself enough to show others around me that I will be a lady no matter what they may say!
Have a good day!
Blessed Be
2006-11-26 02:16:00 · answer #2 · answered by wonderingmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dear ger_next_door, hey i love that show Girls Next Door ! lol who's your favorite person on there? i like Holly! well, back to the question! lol actually, right now i am sitting cross-legged! when i was smaller i got into the habit of that! lol and also i just think it is comfortable and i like putting my feet under my legs in the winter time to keep them warm, but all in all i just love sitting cross legged because it's comfortable, have always sat like that even when i was younger, and it can warm my feet up! sometime at school i find myself wanting to sit like this but i'm afraid that people will not think of it as very "proper", so i don't do that much at school, unless i really want my legs to feel comfortable, but you just don't see many people sitting like that at shool! Lol :) i guess you wouldn't consider sitting like this that ladylike but i don't really like sitting with my legs doubled over like most teens , but i do it mostly anyways because that's the only really ACCEPTABLE way to sit! i have really went in depth with my answer! well, i really hope this helps and i have given good reasons and examples! From: Savannah
2016-05-23 04:04:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leg crossing, among women, is culturally inculcated at an early age - "Don't sit like that, honey, it's not lady-like". How many of you women don't remember hearing that?
There are hundreds of small cultural habits women and men are trained, without realizing it, from a very early age. Something as simple as carrying your books at your side, or at your chest has a gender associated component. Violating too many of these and people will start to become uncomfortable around you and perhaps start avoiding you. Many transsexuals have to learn these habits in a very short period of time.
2006-11-26 02:00:11 · answer #4 · answered by Radagast97 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well its comfortable and gives your leg something to rest on for a while. Its alot better than having your legs open...i mean plus when u cross your legs...leaves you more room and some people use it to get privacy...even if they are wearing a dress or a skirt.
2006-11-26 01:45:18 · answer #5 · answered by ♥mcmanda♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people, mostly women, do it out of habit or comfort. more so than others. for women, it also looks more professional, especially in a place of business, and more lady-like to cross your legs or to put one ankle behind the other. it also has to do with the way it makes you sit. sometimes crossing your legs effects your posture. you sit up a little more straight. it's the same thing for women in heels. heels gives us a completely different kind of posture then if we're not wearing them. we stand up more straight, mostly because if we don't we'll fall over, and are more aware of our bodies.
2006-11-26 02:01:30 · answer #6 · answered by charlie6385 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess people get use to it and become a habit but not according to my Biology professor, he once mentioned that
sitting crossed legs is a sign of masturbation, so never done that since then.
2006-11-26 04:00:14 · answer #7 · answered by linda c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it is mostly habit. I'm most comfortable that way. When I was growing up, my mother (very old-fashioned) assured me that it was very UN-ladylike, and I really shouldn't do it. Cross only at the ankle, she said.
Oh well, she's an etiquette pro, but I find it a very comfy way to sit.
2006-11-26 01:45:45 · answer #8 · answered by locolady98 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, the only reason I cross my legs is comfort.
2006-11-26 01:45:55 · answer #9 · answered by GreyGHost29 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because when i was younger if i didn't sit with my legs crossed my mom would say cross ur legs theres a train coming lol
2006-11-26 01:44:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋