Thanks for all the replies. I had no idea 'pocketed hands' was a hot button topic with some. To be fair to myself I don't always have my hands in both pockets of my jeans. More often I may be doing something with my right hand like holding a drink and my left is hooked by thumb into the left pocket. For some reason it feels more comfortable (to me) than letting my arm lay limp at the side. Like Chas said, it's like our hands were meant to be doing something and for me, at least, having a hand hooked into a pocket is actually 'doing something' just as resting it on a sword hilt or hooked into a belt. 'Doing nothing' in my opinion is just letting it hang there at my side. I suppose I could 'stand at attention' however I don't see many outside of a military situation doing so.

It sounds like many of the current/ex military posters feel more comfortable with the hands clasped behind them which makes sense given their background. I, however, was never in the military and therefore do not consider that a natural position in which to regularly stand.

I don't smoke cigars so that option is probably not going to work for me. But I guess two glasses of scotch could work.

Thanks,
Mark