What does this gesture mean when a man puts his hand on your leg?

2. A gesture of tenderness and comfort

In an established relationship, this gesture can signal a strong bond. Just as you might take someone’s hand in a waiting room or place a hand on a loved one’s shoulder, a hand on the leg can mean,  “I’m here.” It’s a discreet, reassuring,  almost silent gesture, but one that’s charged with emotional intent . In this case, it’s not meant to seduce or impress, but to comfort.

3. A form of playful flirting

If the atmosphere is light, punctuated by knowing smiles and jokes, this contact may be an attempt at playful flirting. It seeks to create gentle tension, to provoke a shiver. It’s a bit like a wink or a lock of hair being tucked back into place: it doesn’t say anything with words, but  everything is conveyed through body language.

4. A gesture that seeks to dominate

Sometimes you have to pay attention to the energy that comes from the contact. An insistent, heavy hand that stays too long or comes back too often can betray a desire for control or  to impose one’s physical presence . This does not mean that every touch is inappropriate, but if you feel discomfort,  take this feeling seriously . Intuition is often an excellent barometer.