“People who don’t receive Communion can come forward for a blessing with their arms crossed across their chest. Many do it. Why doesn’t this individual want to come forward for a special blessing by the priest?”
I saw this for the first time last week at a funeral mass. It reminded me of our practice of blessing a non-Orthodox who approaches at communion time with the chalice. Its a nice thing to do.
The Melkite Catholics in our parish, fold their arms across their chests in preparation to receive communion. However, the practice in our Church is to bless children who have not yet made First Communion and non-Cathoic visitors, by gently placing the chalice on their head. As Kolokotronis noted, it is a reverent blessing to behold and always comes as a beautiful surprise for first time Catholic visitors who approach to receive communio with young children in tow.