No Pockets - What do I do with my hands?

[Nick the DSM]

Get bagpipes.

[Kilted Karl]

Get bagpipes.

Aye!

And I concur with the hands clasped behind or in front.

Your Obedient Servant,

Karl

[Jordan]

Here is one idea for you

What happend to the rest of your glass?

[CopperNGold]

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.

[Tobus]

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.

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.

[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...>

[CopperNGold]

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.

Both of my parents were attorneys. At a face-to-face with a client or potential client, hand and face gestures are some of the things attorneys, police, psychologists and doctors and even juries watch closely.

I wasn't trying to make a personal judgement about anybody here because I have not met them face-to-face. I hope you do not take offense.

[creagdhubh]

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.

I completely agree. Well said, Tobus.

Cheers,