When I first posted the Father's Day photo of me and dad, one poster noted the hands in pockets. Not only did both Dad and I have our hands in our pockets, but so did the much later picture of me.
One day in church back in that early-ish 1960s, a pastor chided me for standing around, after the service I suppose, with my hands in my pockets. He seemed to see it as a sign of indolence or disrespect.
I had never thought that and certainly didn't see myself as portraying anything but a causal disposition. I was puzzled but quickly removed hands from pockets.
So all of these years later, we can get quick answers about such concerns. To wit:
It can be see as disrespectful in Formal and Professional Settings, in Historical/Military Context, and also when Conversing with Superiors or Elders.Whether having your hands in your pockets is considered disrespectful depends heavily on the context, the environment, and cultural expectations. While it is often just a casual or comfortable habit, it can be perceived as rude, unengaged, or overly relaxed in certain situations.
In many cultures, keeping hands hidden is strongly frowned upon. For example, in Japanese and many African cultures, it is considered deeply disrespectful and arrogant.
If I recall correctly, this pastor was of Irish descent. Other than that incident, I have never come across a hands-in-pockets difficulty.
When I am walking with Sue, more often than not I will hold my cane in my left hand and place my right hand in a jacket or pants pocket. I seems natural to me.
I often have hands in pockets or at least on hips when I walk. Don't know why -- I just do!
ReplyDeleteThat's what a pocket is for - to warm your hands.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strange thing to be criticized for! Especially by a minister. Reminds me over an overzealous policeman, ticketing jaywalkers. Ignoring, say, car thefts. Forgive me. I harbor a bit of bitterness.
ReplyDeleteNever thought of it.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that anyone would think that it was disrespectful if you had your hands in your pockets.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love pockets. Probably even more of a bad manners move, but I'm an arms crosser. It's just where they go!
ReplyDeleteI have the biggest tendency to walk or stand with my hands held together, behind me. It may be a remnant of when I was “portly” (aka Frank Cannon) where it was a sort of counterbalance for me….. but it still feels more comfortable. I also routinely have my hands in my pockets….. especially when wearing sport coats.
ReplyDeletePipeTobacco
I always walk thumbs in pockets. It's helpful for my shoulders which don't like being unsupported. Hands in pockets was definitely seen as rude at school, especially for boys. Girls often didn't have pockets.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that was disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteThis is something I have never thought about. Most of my clothes don't have pockets.
ReplyDeleteAddendum…. to my manner of thinking….. “hands in pockets” does NOT to me “read” in any fashion as disrespectful. I am wondering if perhaps the “hands-in-pockets” stance became emeshed in the idea of disrespect BECAUSE folks purposefully being disrespectful would often provoke that feeling with an indolent stare that often was accompanied by body posture of disdain which could be enhanced with “hands-in-pockets”?
ReplyDeleteFood for thought, I guess…. as I tend to read facial expressions and body postures more as the important non-verbal communication signals. To me, “hands-in-pockets” with other facial/body posture expressions can run the gamut from friendly to casual to me.
PipeTobacco
As far as hands in the pockets goes, I remember being told when I was a little girl by my father to not put my hands in my pockets when I went into stores. To this day I still keep my hands out of my pockets in stores. LOL
ReplyDeleteI would put my hands in pockets when walking but seldom when standing talking to others...and of course it would depend upon whether I was carrying something or not. Being in a colder climate has good reasoning for pocketed hands. It also seems like a person must be relaxed to have one's hands in one's pockets, rather than tense, or needing to be more balanced on uneven ground. Cool idea to consider.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when we wouldn't put hands in our pockets I guess, on formal occasions, but I see nothing wrong with it :) Love the older pictures
ReplyDeleteAn interesting social phenomenon. I'll start paying more attention. I remember that John Kennedy was often pictured with his hand in the pocket of his suit jacket. And I seem to remember having seen a picture of King Charles in a similar pose.
ReplyDeleteTo me, your hand-in-pocket stance is less like disrespect and more like the comfortable ease of someone enjoying a walk and good company.
ReplyDeleteYou brought up a situation that I had never thought about.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to hide us for hands in pockets too. She was English, so maybe that had something to do with it. She said it was slovenly and bad manners. Today i often have my hands in my pockets, and get aggravated when I inadvertently buy pants or a dress with no pockets!
ReplyDeleteMany cultures have different rules for various actions, like hands in the pockets. I've never considered it disrespectful in casual situations.
ReplyDeleteMost of my clothes don't have pockets so when the do I don't think about the pockets. I see hands in pockets as relaxed.
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