017
PACIFYING RUB
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A palm slides slowly along the top of a thigh, the side of a leg, or the front of an arm. The motion is repeated.
MEANS
Self-soothing in response to stress. The person is calming themselves through touch.
CONTEXT
Often hidden under a table. Look for the shoulder movement that the rub produces, even when the hand itself is out of view. Common after a difficult question. The pace of the rub indicates the level of stress — slow and deliberate is mild; fast and repeated is significant.
NOT
Brushing off dust or smoothing a fabric.
