Did you know that three miles per hour is the standard walking speed for the average adult? And if we are lucky enough not to be physically immobilized in any way throughout our lives, we can all walk from the age of two and continue to do so until we part from this life. Many interesting clues about a person’s character can be learned simply by observing the way they walk. The way a person moves when walking is associated with a series of criteria.
Fitness levels, moods, emotions, and body type all play a considerable factor in contributing to a person’s various stride types, postures, and movement speeds. Along with other notable features, a person’s gait can be inherited directly from the parents. The next time you get a chance to observe people walking in groups, the similar posture and movement among family members will usually be quite noticeable.
Generally, when cheerful people walk, they have a certain lively way of jumping along with a lightness in their steps. In contrast, a downcast person will walk with an arched posture and slowly shuffle with heavy feet. While a fast pace and upright posture will suggest a self-assured person who has a strong sense of direction in life.
Always remember to take into account the background and surroundings when watching someone walk by. It varies from country to country, culture to culture, and city to city. For example, the speed adopted in a dense and populated city will definitely be much faster than in a small town in a suburban area due to the great difference in lifestyles in general. In most cases, posture is still considered a very reliable indicator.
1 The Arms Crossed Walk
When the weather is warm or hot, walking with your arms crossed usually suggests that the person is in a protective and defensive mode. This also explains a lot why most women adopt this posture when walking alone on a crowded street full of strangers. There are also men, feeling insecure in an unknown place, they adopt the same posture as well.
It really doesn’t matter if the arms are tightly crossed, gripping the body, or even wrapped loosely around the body, these arm positions are direct evidence of the person’s uncertainty, apprehension, anxiety, and lack of confidence. These supposedly self-hugging gestures are actually the individual’s way of giving themselves physical security.
2 The walk of the hands in the pockets
When people put their hands in their pockets, it basically means that they feel cold at the moment, especially if it’s a cold or windy day. But when this is put in the context of a person’s characteristics, it usually indicates a very reserved and introverted individual. This person hides his own feelings and personality from the outside world, and at the same time can be cynical and judgmental of others.
He or she will often walk with a lowered head combined with a slow, inconsistent gait. Negative gestures made here denote a depression in the person. And if this depression was motivated by anger from the beginning, the walk will include a lot of kicking at small objects on the ground. Sometimes not even imaginary ones are exempt.
3 The walk of deep thoughts
People who are thinking deeply about something when walking will show their heads bowed and will often look at the ground with unfocused eyes. The gesture here may suggest that those people are depressed, but in reality they are just walking slowly to concentrate on their thoughts.
This posture will seem withdrawn to others because people here don’t want distractions from anywhere to divert their attention from their deep thoughts at the moment. Walking up and down will be a very common practice of this walking lost in deep thought. And the real goal here is not to reach any particular destination, but rather to reach a final conclusion.
4 The Strutting Walk
The strutting posture is quite stiff and unyielding, with the chin usually raised to show a proud and superior image. People who strut often walk with their chest forward combined with exaggerated arm movements.
This type of walk has a distinctive way of showing the person’s proud, arrogant and selfish character. The goose-stepping style of marching demonstrated in solemn military parades is also considered a ritualized form of strutting, signaling pride, superiority, and control.
5 Hand On Hip Walk
Walking with one hand on your hipbone while pushing your pelvis forward is a posture often used by runway models at fashion shows. This seductive pose is defined as a form of sexual body language used by models to enhance the attractiveness of the garment they are wearing.
Some women tend to adopt this pose when flirting with men, as it can draw attention to their erogenous zones, making them appear sexier. On the other hand, if this is adopted by a man, it will appear unmanly and effeminate. Gay men often combine this gesture with a feminine walk to intentionally express their inner sexuality in a very conspicuous way.
walking in life
Do you take small steps or giant steps? What is your most comfortable pace? Do you look at the sky, the ground, buildings, or other people as you walk? Everyone has their own distinctive way of moving, but the important question here is how you normally walk yourself.
This may come as a surprise to many, but did you know that the people around you will respond in a more positive way if you walk with a confident, relaxed, and upright posture? The reason is that your body will be more upright when you walk with an upright posture, you will also be more observant and attentive to your surroundings, which will give you a more accurate assessment of what is happening around you.