British men
#25
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I think Kate is correct. I think it's just something to do with his hands rather than dangling at the sides, and hands in pockets is not seen as proper. However, since we see this only when he is filmed or on TV or something, it's possible he only does it in that case, not when he's walking around in private.
#26
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Prevalent behaviour in garden centres. All that leaning forward to peer at things. If you don't do this your arms either swing forward weirdly or if you keep them by your side you look like you are bowing to the plants!
#27
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Japanese men walking
http://tinyurl.com/5m8zx5
Spanish men walking
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/...9fcbd0.jpg?v=0
Frenchmen walking
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/17...71f618.jpg?v=0
Italian men walking
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/travel/im...eman-italy.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/5m8zx5
Spanish men walking
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/...9fcbd0.jpg?v=0
Frenchmen walking
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/17...71f618.jpg?v=0
Italian men walking
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/travel/im...eman-italy.jpg
#28
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I remember reading in Michael Caine's autobiography that he based his character in 'Zulu' on Prince Philip. He mentioned that Philip always walked with hands behind his back, something that you do when you don't have to protect yourself.
That was his theory, at least.
That was his theory, at least.
#30
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Whew!
I thought it was going to be the annual silly season "British men are useless" thing.
One year, it was some daft French burd who said that we were all homosexuals because we didn't wolf-whistle her.
I think that last year, it was the 15 year old daughter of the American ambassador who didn't fancy British boys.
Mrs J. muttered that the ambassador should have put the precocious little madam across his knee.
I thought it was going to be the annual silly season "British men are useless" thing.
One year, it was some daft French burd who said that we were all homosexuals because we didn't wolf-whistle her.
I think that last year, it was the 15 year old daughter of the American ambassador who didn't fancy British boys.
Mrs J. muttered that the ambassador should have put the precocious little madam across his knee.
#33
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MissPrism wrote: "I've got a book about body language somewhere and seem to remember that the hands behind back thing was the sign of an alpha male."
The book might have suggested that, but I don't think it is wholly right. I think it means that the male feels secure, safe from any threat. That is a wider category than alpha males; it includes protected individuals.
I rather suspect that neither Philip nor Charles is a true alpha male.
The book might have suggested that, but I don't think it is wholly right. I think it means that the male feels secure, safe from any threat. That is a wider category than alpha males; it includes protected individuals.
I rather suspect that neither Philip nor Charles is a true alpha male.
#34
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I'm disappointed that all British men don't walk like the Ministry of Silly Walks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7w
#35
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Some of this is regional - not national.
I've noticed the behind the bak thing - and thought people were imitating the royals.
Here we need our hands - they help us talk. But - I've noticed the British don't seem to gesture that much - and even in certain parts of the US the hands seem oddly quiet when people are in animated conversations.
I've noticed the behind the bak thing - and thought people were imitating the royals.
Here we need our hands - they help us talk. But - I've noticed the British don't seem to gesture that much - and even in certain parts of the US the hands seem oddly quiet when people are in animated conversations.
#36
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>>I've noticed the British don't seem to gesture that much<<
I think that's probably true - most of what gestures there can be, tend to be rather rude. Certainly I don't know a politician who knows what to do with their hands when making a speech (no suggestions from CW, please....)
I think that's probably true - most of what gestures there can be, tend to be rather rude. Certainly I don't know a politician who knows what to do with their hands when making a speech (no suggestions from CW, please....)
#37
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We walk with our hands behind our backs to show others that we aren't going to rip their throat out. It's also why we queue and say "thankyou" and "sorry" a lot
See A.A Gill's "The Angry Island" - where the bit about War Memorials is very good & very accurate
See A.A Gill's "The Angry Island" - where the bit about War Memorials is very good & very accurate
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julies
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Mar 25th, 2003 04:48 PM