"Manspreading" or "man-sitting" is a pejorative neologism referring to the practice of men sitting in public transport with legs wide apart, thereby covering more than one seat.
While open legs can show openness or dominance, crossed legs shows a more closed, submissive or defensive attitude as they symbolically deny any access to the genitals.
“I suspect most men would suggest the reason for adopting the more spread posture in sitting would be the avoidance of testicular compression from the thigh muscles. The pelvic rotation goes some way to improve compression in both aspects,” Sutcliffe continued.
man·spread·ing ˈman-ˌspre-diŋ : the act or practice by a man of sitting with the legs spread wide apart (as in a public seating area) in a way that intrudes on the space of others.
verb (used without object)Informal. (of a man) to sit with one's legs far apart, taking up too much space on a seat shared with other people: guys who manspread on the subway.
Men have smaller, narrower ischium bones, which means we need more stability, hence why we sit with our legs open.
This City Just Banned 'Manspreading'
Madrid has banned “manspreading” on its public transportation. The city's official news channel posted photos on Twitter of signs that will ask passengers not to take up spaces by spreading their legs.
This is because crossing legs can be a closed-off cue. This body language is also common when someone is new to a group of people. If you see a person standing or sitting with legs crossed, there's a chance they're feeling submissive or defensive.
It's probably just a nervous habit that may reduce stress or anxiety, says Raymond Miltenberger, Ph.
The idea of men sitting on public conveyances with their legs spread very wide has been bandied about on the internet since 2008, but the New York blog AM New York was the first place where the term man spread was used, in 2014. The term proved very popular, and the noun manspreading was coined.
The legs themselves are 2-10 inches apart – and it's not comfortable and isn't recommended for how men should sit. This position doesn't necessarily “hide” your manhood – but the thighs still put pressure on it. That's why it's natural for grown men NOT to keep their knees close together while seated.
Legs apart signify dominance
While you may think you take on this position all the time, think about it: are you standing on both legs, or do you tend to jut one hip out a little bit? When a man uses this legs-apart stance, it often signifies dominance, as it highlights the pelvic area.
If it is between a couple that are demonstrating interest in each other, then a touch to the thigh is a way of indicating intimacy, in which case, it is the response to the touch that is the important thing. Keep in mind, that I am not talking about groping or caressing, but rather a touch.
A man in love would let you know his feelings through posture, gestures, or facial expressions. His eyes remain fixed at you, or he raises his eyebrows while talking to you. He may act nervous around you but shows immense courage to protect you.
(Bonus tip: if you're sitting next to a girl and she crosses her legs toward you, it's a sign she's interested in you and engaged in the interaction. If she crosses her legs away, she's putting up a barrier and isn't quite comfortable with you yet.)
Body language research has shown that keeping your torso, chest, and abdomen open to the world is the best way to show availability. Open body language is more attractive than any outfit, hairstyle, or dance move.
The best thing to do is to stand whenever a woman leaves the table the first time.
“Slow, purposeful crossing and uncrossing of the legs is a game of peek-a-boo and classic courtship technique used to draw attention to her legs and signal interest.”
Legs: If his legs are splayed out, he's confident and trying to claim his territory. If they are crossed, notice which leg is on top: a leading leg pointing toward you means he's trying to get closer, but legs crossed the other way are a subconscious play for space.
the act of a man sitting, especially on public transportation, with his legs spread wide apart, in a way that means that the people next to him have less space: Madrid has attempted to ban manspreading on buses.
Spain's capital has taken a stand against manspreading – banning men from indulging in the rude leg extending move on its trains and buses. The city's Municipal Transportation Company (EMT) plan on installing new signs in all its carriages and vehicles, which they hope will stop the personal space encroaching practise.
"The practice whereby a man, especially one travelling on public transport, adopts a sitting position with his legs wide apart, in such a way as to encroach on an adjacent seat or seats." This is the definition of manspreading per the Oxford English Dictionary, where it is has now joined other words.