Knee body language

Techniques > Use of body language > Parts-of-the-body language > Knee body language

Pointing | Weapon | Attracting | Touching | See also

The knee is made up of the kneecap (patela) and the joint between the upper and lower legs. Whilst other areas may offer greater communication, the knee does its bit.

Pointing

The knee can act as a subtle pointer, just like the elbow. When pointing towards something or somebody, the knee can indicate desire. Pointing away, it indicates the opposite.

Thus a knee in a crossed leg (standing or sitting) in a conversation can indicate who the person is really thinking about. Alternatively the person may point their knee at such as the bar or the door to show their inner wishes.

Weapon

The knee, again like the elbow, can act as a weapon, with perhaps the most well known (if not the most common) use being an attack on the (usually male) groin of another person. Another attack is in the side of the thigh, temporarily disabling them with a 'dead leg'.

Twitching of the knee towards a person may be a desirable pointing and it may also be a desire to hit them.

Attracting

Knees are often considered to be sexually attractive and exposing them below the hemline in short skirts and dresses can be a deliberate female ploy to create attention.

Touching

Touching and stroking the knee, particularly when done by women, may signal a desire that a nearby man does the same and is hence a sexual invitation or tease.

The knees are vulnerable in an attack, and a good kick will disable the person for a long time. Holding the knees may thus be a defensive act when the person is feeling anxious.

Women may also hold their knees when they feel the attention of men that they would rather not have. Sometimes they dress in attractive ways more from social convention than from a desire to be picked up.