Scenario: You are speaking with someone that is simply sitting or standing there with their hands clenched together.

Solution: Well, first I would like to remind you to take all gestures or signals you are reading in context. It may just be a relaxed pose for this person. However, in most cases, the person making this gesture is being "closed off". they may be holding back an anxious or negative attitude. There are 3 positions where the hand clenching is common. 1. In front of the face 2. On a desk or in the lap or 3. In front of the crotch.

The higher the position, the more difficult this person may be. As with all negative body language gestures, you want to reverse this emotion and break the gesture. Try giving them something to hold, offer them a drink or give them something to do with their hands. This will help break them away from the negativity they may be focused on.

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