Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-05-13
FEET POSITIONS.
They Reveal the Character and Needs
of the Individual.

They Reveal the Character and Msods
of the Individual.
1t may seem strange, but it is
nevertheless fact, that just as the.
face reveals the character Of the in
di7idual to those who are able to
read and understand it, SO the posi-
ton of the feet is no less eloquent
of their owners mood.
The man who is at perfect peace
With the world, content with him
self and every one else, especially
after a good dinner at which "he
has done himself WE'LL" invariably
stretches his feet out in front OF
him with his toes turned up.
Mental contentment, as opposed
to that which is purely physical, is
shown by the crossing Of one foot
over the other. If the condition be
comes more marked, one knee IS
crossed over the other, and the free
foot IS often swung to and fro. The
moment, however, the individual
becomes interested in anything the
swinging ceases and the free foot
curls around the other ankle.
Bashful people invariably sit with
their toes turned in. Why this
should be it is undoubtedly difficult
to explain, but there is no doubt
about the fact. If the bashfulness
runs to great embarrassment, one
foot, with the toes still turned in,
seeks the consoling influence of the
other and poises itself on the ankle
of the other foot. If the bashful-
ness and embarrassment are noticed
when the individual is standing, one
foot is sure to be placed behind the
other and be lifted up at frequent
intervals, while as the embarrass-
ment increases the raised foot rubs
up and down the calf of the leg
which supports the body.
The feeling of contentment is so
likely to develop in many people
into a mood of laziness that it is
not surprising to find there is a GER
tain resemblance between the posi-
ton of the feet in both conditions.
In laziness, however, the knees turn
outward, and instead of the feet be-
ing closely placed together at the
toes the toe of one foot is placed
against the lower part of the shin
of the other.
The pose of the self confident
man or woman is no less equally
marked. The feet are placed firmly
on the ground, the toes pointed
slightly outward, and the heel Of the
right foot directed to the ball Of the
left. 1t is the position which is nat
urally taken by soldiers and others
who have been trained to take care
of themselves, and naturally the
habit has become second nature.
In opposition to this position Is
that of the man who walks with
shambling gait, the toes turned
rather inward and with distinct
weakness of the ankle. 1t Is per
fectly safe to assume that such a
man has d weak, stumbling charac-
ter and that be lacks directness CT
purpose, force of viii and the ensr-
gy which are all essential to making
a success in life. Look at any one
sitting down who has his or her feet
firmly fixed on the ground two or
three feet apart. The chances ale
ninety-nine in hundred that II you
turn your gaze to the face you will
see an expression which clearly III
dicates that the individual is think
ing seriously of some problem, and
you may hazard d good deal that, all
things being equal, lie or she viii
carry through the project in mind
to a successful issue.
On the other hand, the individual
who is by no means sure Of his on Il
position is certain to proclaim that
sense Of insecurity by having one
foot brought closely up to the other
at the back and the knees Of both
legs bent. london Tit Bits.