That pocket reflex

[Blu (Ontario)]

I've usually either got my hands behind my back or hooked in the belt near the front. I do sometimes let the thumb of the right hand hook onto the first pleat. Bear is right on the mark with the brushing and swatting... done it many times.

[Xcop]

Interesting subject..I had never thought about it. Maybe its because of my training...no hands in pockets, an also hands NEVER held low in front...always behind the back. And when I walk I do like Miah, its habit of having my fingers curled. I do tend to do the arms folded across the chest with legs in a very secure stance, it feels great

David

[Rhino]

Phil H wrote

who's gunna mess with a big guy in a skirt?
NO ONE!

Absolutely Phil, I try to add a scowl and a menacing loom
Cheers Rhino

[zeytoun]

I always had the habit of going around with my hands in my pocket; feels a little awkward sometimes not knowing what to do with them when walking or standing. A cigar/pipe/cigarette helps but has other side effects.... I've heard from several sources that it makes you look less confident to walk around with your hands in your pockets, so maybe kilt wearing forces you to look more manly/confident. That might be one reason people used to tell their kids to keep their hands out of their pockets, another might be because it puts more stress on your clothes, or because they didn't want their kids "feeling around" too much....

[magi359]

Yah, I found myself doing the same.

I had some previous training, though... in Army Boot Camp we were given "remedial training" (Read: pushups!) if the DI saw us with our hand in a pocket.

We learned to tuck a thumb in our belts, or, sometimes, to tuck our fingertips under the belt from the bottom, and let our arms droop from there. (I know, sounds weird, but it works.)

So if you have a belt, or a belted pouch, you could try that. Otherwise, yep, arms-crossed here, too!

[GMan]

David,

Honestly I never really thought about it. Walked around after first reading this post. Noticed my hands on my hips when I stopped. Arms swinging as I walked, but no real going for the pocket. I do understand what you are saying, it would be an awkward situation. I guess after time you will get use to it. Good luck to you my friend.

[richardljohnson]

I still reach for my wallet back pocket in a store occassionally when I'm not thinking about it. This happened this last weekend when I was talking to my wife, checking out and trying to figure out what I forgot!

Ditto on the military training and hands in pockets. When you get more comfortable in a kilt it should go away.

My problem is sitting. I catch myself playing with the sporron dangles when I'm just sitting there.

RLJ-

[Alaskan]

When I first started wearing kilts one day I was in class, and the English teacher was explaining something, so I was just standing there in the front of the class for my time to work... My hands tried to go into my pockets and then some kids broke out laughing. The teacher stopped what she was saying and asked them "Why is everyone laughing?" One of the kids said "He tried to put his hands in his pockets, but he doesn't have any pockets." So then the teacher laughed at me too.

I think that was the last time I reached for pockets.

[phil h]

Phil H wrote

who's gunna mess with a big guy in a skirt?
NO ONE!

Absolutely Phil, I try to add a scowl and a menacing loom
Cheers Rhino

scowl, oh yea, scares em right of the stoopid comments. :x

[Graham]

Very valid post David, SEE I wasn't going to laugh at you!!!!!

I've had the same experience.
I often wear a jacket, either vest or bomber type that has pockets to put my hands in, OR I carry a bag with a shoulder strap (or even a camera with shoulder strap), that gives one hand something to do.

I'm usually carrying something, maybe a cell phone, or I may have a daypack on my back with straps I can link my fingers around.

I do understand the problem, really I do