No Pockets - What do I do with my hands?

[markv]

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

[biblemonkey]

No offense to your parents, but that is quite possibly one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Making judgments about someone's character by what they are doing with their hands? Really? And they thought this tidbit of wisdom was worth passing on to others?

There could be a million reasons someone puts their hands in their pockets or fidgets. Shoulder or elbow pain could make it uncomfortable to let one's arms hang straight or clasp them behind the back. Or their hands may just be cold. Heck, someone may have just had too much coffee and feels fidgety, or they're stressed out from work and being fidgety helps them compensate. Trying to judge someone's morals or self-esteem like that is not only inaccurate, it's just plain wrong.

Sorry for the rant, but it really irks me that some people feel the need to walk around judging others in the first place, but especially over nonsensical, meaningless stuff like this. I think a person has more self-esteem if they do what they want with their hands than someone who is always trying to pose properly to make sure others think he has strength.

Next time PM this kind of thing. It was an opinion that was not the poster's own but rather an anectodal peice of information and saying "no offense" does not remove the coarseness of your response.

Thanks,
Hugh

[Laird_M]

As another ex-squaddie, 'parade rest' if I'm not holding a drink or doing something.

It drives me NUTS the way our cubs keep hands in pockets when they should be at parade rest or even attention for Grand Howl.

Seriuosly though, unless you're standing around for ages with nothing to do, it shouldn't be a problem.

The only problem will be convincing your wife/girlfriend/partner that you CAN'T fit all her make up, keys, briefcase sized purse for all her store cards, etc, into your sporran.
<ducks and waits for the wrath of the women...>

[Sir William]

...I have a habit when I'm out and about of keeping my hands in my pockets when I'm standing around etc.
Mark

Join the Marines! They'll soon break you of the habit.

Seriously, find something to hold (whiskey or beer glass, walking stick, a program or magazine, etc) or just hold them together in front or in back. Pretty soon you won't even be thinking about not having pockets.

[Sir William]

My parents always told me to watch people's hands. If they are fidgeting or have their hands in their pockets, it means they are self-conscious, hiding something or lack self esteem. Hands behind back, at ease or holding something, is a sign of strength.

I heard much same growing up in the South and West.

Part of this belief comes from the fact that people wanted to see what other people had in their hands - hidden hands implied a weapon and thus possible skulduggery. Same basic premise as the military salute - it showed that you were not holding a weapon.

Also, men who had their hands in their pockets gave the impression of being lazy instead of doing something productive.

Consequently, if you couldn't see a man's hands he was perceived as not being trustworthy or reliable.

[Tobus]

Next time PM this kind of thing. It was an opinion that was not the poster's own but rather an anectodal peice of information and saying "no offense" does not remove the coarseness of your response.

Thanks,
Hugh

My response was no less coarse than the implied insult towards people who put their hands in their pockets. If it was worth mentioning in the open forum in the first place, then it was worth responding to likewise.

I am certainly not trying to incite a heated discussion or derail the thread, but I imagine that I'm not the only one who felt slighted by the idea that if I put my hands in my pockets, it means I have low self-esteem or I'm hiding something. That's just plain ridiculous, and there's no reason that a public comment like that should have to be replied to privately. We're all big boys and girls, and I trust we're capable of discussing the matter like adults.

That said, I apologize if my response was overly coarse. But perhaps if posts that could be deemed as derogatory towards fellow members were not made in the first place, they would need no response. So let's just move on, shall we?

[Lyle1]

More than 50 years ago, I was taught (over and over and over) that gentlemen do not put their hands in their pockets, particularly in presence of ladies. When I finally figured out what the supposed offense would be, I decided that ladies had naughty minds! Still some of that baggage lingers on, and I rarely put my hands in my pockets, except to extract my keys or some change. I still sometimes forget that all of that stuff is in my sporran, and my hands start to slide between the side pleats.

[Oddern]

I think the "no pockets" situation is one of the reason we kilties often have a good and upright posture. Hands stuck down into trouser pockets tends to make you bend your back and give you a poor posture.
If I'm not holding or carrying something I put my hands on my back or hook my thumbs onto the sporran belt.
Skål!

[sydnie7]

Oberu posted an excellent solution over in his "Tom Foolery" thread! Hope he doesn't mind my adapting it here -- just wish I had a personal version instead

[Jewish Highlander]

I think that it really depends on the circumstances. In the outdoors I would have a walking stick and or a backpack for hiking that I could handle the straps. When I was traveling recently with a day/Laird's plaid I either found myself throwing it over my shoulder to get it out of my way (I think that I need to get a heavier one that will sit still. I don't think that it was 100% wool either!) or bundling my hands in it to keep warm while walking in the cold since I did not have any gloves on. Since I did have the plaid tied around my body like a cape while I was walking, I did seem to naturally prefer to clasp my hands around behind my back more often rather than at the side or front even at the risk of falling on my face if I were to fall.
I do think that if in olden days when one was not fighting, hands out in open sight with food, drink, or games were very acceptable!
:beer:int: