Why Do People Do This?

[RB]

Reading the bogan thread has inspired me to ask the question that has been gnawing at me

While on holidays I really enjoy sitting down with a beer & doing some people watching. Now I know it happens in Aust as well but overseas seems to be the "home" of the "hands behind the back club". Chief members seem to be older men but there are certainly members from the fairer sex and some younger members.
Can someone explain what happens to to these people to make them become converts? Is it purely for balance or comfort? Is it an unconscious action?
Attached are a few photos showing individually enhanced holds I have noticed

 

[drron]

Well we who walk 2 paces behind SWMBO do it automatically-just watch prince phillip.

 

[TonyHancock]

Last week I was listening to Michael Caine, on a radio show, discussing his role in the film Zulu . It was his first big break in cinema and he was cast as the rather upper class officer, Gonville Bromhead. (I know you mods are reading this, fingers poised on mouse, ready to move this post to the off topic thread....but wait on! )

In preparation for the role, he had no idea how upper class officers should behave, he studied the Duke of Edinburgh, who is frequently seen with hands behind back.

Michael Caine's opinion is that it is a power/class/authority thing. The Duke rarely uses his hands for anything, doors are opened for him, he is not required to move things out of the way etc etc. He believes that the duke does not need to gesture with his hands either, he is someone who is seen as "in authority". Those who lack authority, or struggle to command an audience, need to gesticulate with their hands to attract and maintain attention.

His view was that this is the act of someone who has confidence, who commands respect without having to demonstrate it.

I have no idea whether he is right or wrong but thought it was interesting. :?:

 

[BadgerBoi]

I do it when I'm in museums, art galleries etc, particularly of the smaller and more private kind, because I'm terrified I'll touch an exhibit and have to pay for breakage.

 

[medhead]

When standing still, I suggest ex-military. Walking, I have no idea

 

[blackcat20]

Some older people tend to do it if they've started to get a bit of a forward bend...helps them keep more upright.

 

[awilcockson]

Some older people tend to do it if they've started to get a bit of a forward bend...helps them keep more upright.

That's what I thought when I saw the last photo. Not sure what the excuse is for the rest of them though.

 

[Timtammi]

According to one online body language guide it means the following:

Gesture: Hands clasped behind back
Meaning: Anger, frustration, apprehension

Doesn't sounds quite right to me

 

[Taezar]

I think this is just a ploy to qualify RB's obsession of taking photos of older men's bottoms.

 

[Misha]

My father does this and he is 61. So does my nephew, he is 2.

I guess it skips a generation

 

[harvyk]

The first one is simply asking for someone to take his passport...

 

[Fantic125]

Most probably has nothing to do with it, but a number of European countries have compulsory military training, and typically hands behind the back is an "at ease" stance..... :?:

Off Topic/

The burning question I have which nobody has been able to confirm is;

if you had the same breed of dog, one born in Australia and one born in Germany, and put them together in a room would they be able to understand each other's bark?

/On Topic

 

[drron]

Most probably has nothing to do with it, but a number of European countries have compulsory military training, and typically hands behind the back is an "at ease" stance..... :?:

Off Topic/

The burning question I have which nobody has been able to confirm is;

if you had the same breed of dog, one born in Australia and one born in Germany, and put them together in a room would they be able to understand each other's bark?

/On Topic

I dont know but butcher birds in Buderim have a different call to those in Caloundra and the Buderim birds get a little agitated if I use the Caloundra call.

 

[oz_mark]

According to one online body language guide it means the following:

Gesture: Hands clasped behind back
Meaning: Anger, frustration, apprehension

Doesn't sounds quite right to me

Hmm, I always thought it was a relaxed state where you weren't (or didn't want to be) talking.

 

[JohnK]

My father has been doing this for years and he also served in the military in Europe.

I sometimes cross my hands in front of me and behind my back. I find it relaxing to stand this way and switch between the two as the arms get a little uncomfortable at times.

I don't know about other churches but you will see a lot of people with their hands crossed when they are standing inside an Orthodox church. I don't know why but I guess standing with hands on the side is very uncomfortable.

 

[Fantic125]

Hmm, I always thought it was a relaxed state where you weren't (or didn't want to be) talking.

Generally for males, hands in front is usually relaxed stance.

Particularly when seated on the lounge in front of television, watching some mindless show.....

 

[medhead]

Most probably has nothing to do with it, but a number of European countries have compulsory military training, and typically hands behind the back is an "at ease" stance..... :?:

It's not just Europe. British/Australia military adopt the same stance. As I mentioned, when standing, I put this down to military background. It is about the only acceptable stance as military training beats out hands in pockets, hands on hips and crossing hands across the front. That leaves hands by the side (uncomfortable), hands in front (kind of ok but playing with yourself?) and the at ease position (that you might spend a few hours a day doing during early training). Basically, at ease becomes a default stance.

 

[drron]

It's not just Europe. British/Australia military adopt the same stance. As I mentioned, when standing, I put this down to military background. It is about the only acceptable stance as military training beats out hands in pockets, hands on hips and crossing hands across the front. That leaves hands by the side (uncomfortable), hands in front (kind of ok but playing with yourself?) and the at ease position (that you might spend a few hours a day doing during early training). Basically, at ease becomes a default stance.

Well I often stand with hands behind the back.Why?Just do.
Absolutely no military background.
Arrogance,Authority figure etc-I did this when I was young,one of the shyest people around.Still have absolutely no authority.
Museums etc-yes i am conscious that it is a good stance there for a clutz like me.
So the reason for this stance-just because.

 

[Major]

It's not just Europe. British/Australia military adopt the same stance. As I mentioned, when standing, I put this down to military background. It is about the only acceptable stance as military training beats out hands in pockets, hands on hips and crossing hands across the front. That leaves hands by the side (uncomfortable), hands in front (kind of ok but playing with yourself?) and the at ease position (that you might spend a few hours a day doing during early training). Basically, at ease becomes a default stance.

"Get your hands out of your pockets" starts on day 1 of recruit training and continues until completion. It doesn't matter how cold it is.
Eventually you learn a bit of self discipline and agree that leaning against a building with your hands in your pocket does look slovenly. As you progress you adopt "behind the back" or "by the side" or even "in front" but never "in the pocket".

These days I am occasionally guilty of hands in the jacket pocket on a cold day but never hands in the trouser pocket.

 

[medhead]

"Get your hands out of your pockets" starts on day 1 of recruit training and continues until completion.

I similarly experienced negative speculation about my sexual preferences for hands on hips and speculation about whether I was expecting a child for crossed arms in front.

Fortunately, as an ex-choco, I was always a "poor" soldier (to corporal you know who you are) and it has been easy to throw off the training. (well until the guns, colours or guidons go past)