British men
Jul 31st, 2008, 09:16 PM
#1
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British men
I don't want to be disrespectful, but I often notice British men, including my husband's cousins, walk with their hands behind their backs. I don't notice this with men from other countries. After watching a documentary on Prince Charles tonight, I was reminded of this.
Jul 31st, 2008, 09:34 PM
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I'm puzzled why you think this observation might be "disrespectful"
It's a pretty rare characteristic these days: apart from anything else, most men's hands are more likely to be doing things with mobile phones, cans of lager or bags of M&S sandwiches.
But, if it IS more common in Britain than elsewhere (and that's a pretty HUGE "if"
it's surely about as anodyne a quirk as you can imagine.
Pointing out men's hands are usually stuffing junk food into their mouths, playing with their private parts, or groping passing women (all characteristics in certain other countries) might count as disrespectful.
But clasped?
It's a pretty rare characteristic these days: apart from anything else, most men's hands are more likely to be doing things with mobile phones, cans of lager or bags of M&S sandwiches.
But, if it IS more common in Britain than elsewhere (and that's a pretty HUGE "if"
it's surely about as anodyne a quirk as you can imagine.Pointing out men's hands are usually stuffing junk food into their mouths, playing with their private parts, or groping passing women (all characteristics in certain other countries) might count as disrespectful.
But clasped?
Jul 31st, 2008, 10:38 PM
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It's to stop us fiddling with "our bits", groping passing women, stuffing junk food into out mouths or playing with our mobile phones
Question is - what do other nationalities do with their hands?
Question is - what do other nationalities do with their hands?
Jul 31st, 2008, 11:02 PM
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I wouldn't say it's exactly common. Prince Charles is famous for it and we all reckon it's because otherwise he develops a couple of nervous 'ticks' with his hands - ev er seen him attacking his cuff-links?
It's more something you do when you are relaxed strolling - I do it myself sometimes and I'm a British woman.
Is this something considered rude/odd wherever you are from desertduds?
It's more something you do when you are relaxed strolling - I do it myself sometimes and I'm a British woman.
Is this something considered rude/odd wherever you are from desertduds?
Aug 1st, 2008, 12:18 AM
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My British man doesn't walk with his hands behind his back. Nor do my 4 British brothers, three British sons, or one British brother-in-law. Not to mention all the British male cousins and friends. Never seen any of them walk like that.
Aug 1st, 2008, 12:44 AM
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Men all over the world walk with their hands behind their back but it is usually with handcuffs. European men are sending signals to one another. One finger means that is the probably the most aburd judgment of another's culture, they ahve heard of.
Aug 1st, 2008, 01:34 AM
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british royalty walks like that to distance itself from the public-makesthe body look compact, formal and with a touch of aristocratic aloofness but allows the "lean in and look interested/ compassionate/ dismayed" look, if called for.
lots of other cultures have the men walk with their hands behind their backs but there are other reasons for that, i guess
lots of other cultures have the men walk with their hands behind their backs but there are other reasons for that, i guess
Aug 1st, 2008, 02:59 AM
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I suspect it's a rather old fashioned stance taken by men who were taught that it looks slovenly to put your hands in your pockets.
Of course no one gives a stuff these days. Except Prince Charles, who lives in a different century from the rest of us.
Of course no one gives a stuff these days. Except Prince Charles, who lives in a different century from the rest of us.
Aug 1st, 2008, 03:34 AM
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Prince Charles & his dad are the only men I've ever noticed doing this - perhaps it's a Danish/Greek thing 
Chuck sometimes varies it by putting the fingers of one hand in the pocket of his (buttoned-up) jacket, which I think looks even odder.
Chuck sometimes varies it by putting the fingers of one hand in the pocket of his (buttoned-up) jacket, which I think looks even odder.
Aug 1st, 2008, 04:23 AM
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I've never done it that I was aware of. I think it's a royalty/celebrity thing, to avoid the over-enthusiastic (or ill-intentioned) trying to grab them or shake their hands, in which case that foundation stone would never get laid.
