> is this true? depends. you often see people fold their arms when deeply engaged or thinking about what they're observing. common in academic settings, usually combined with holding a writing instrument or writing pad.   it's not such a strict rule in the west, and depends on context + other body language cues. a person can be seen as "guarded" if they're folding their arms, but those who say so are usually female po-psychologists and "body language experts", which is pure pseudoscience.
United States