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BirdsbirdsBURDS t1_j5alji3 wrote

I mean. I’m former military. We generally train to not “put hands in pockets”, and I have generally rationalized it as being a safety thing in ships, because if a ship suddenly lurches some direction you can brace yourself.

But recently I’ve found that, if it’s not cold and you have your hands in your pockets, it’s weird.

Like, what are you doing? Playing with yourself? Playing with your keys? Now it does have some kind of feeling like, what’s in your pocket that you’d rather be messing with that than focusing on your surrounding?

I know some people will have differing opinion, but like, just keeping your hand in your pocket seems a weird thing to do since your pocket is like a portable liminal zone

*edit. Im getting downvoted, but at the same time it seems that some people feel that it is weird to just chill “hands in pockets style”. To clarify, I’ve never yelled at someone over this thing, but it’s always stuck with me that, if it’s not cold, it strange.

Not offended by downvotes, but if those people could chime in as to why it would be appropriate for professionals to hang around with hands in pockets, I’d be willing to read them at least.

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Clack082 t1_j5apc58 wrote

Well I think you're weird for thinking I'm weird for having my hands in my pockets lol. Nothing wrong with putting your hands in storage while they aren't in use.

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ScottyC33 t1_j5aoah8 wrote

Putting them in my pant pockets feels weird when it isn’t cold. But I like resting them in my coat pockets even when I’m indoors, even when it isn’t that cold. There’s a difference to it somewhere!

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MySonYoureShot t1_j5ap6vu wrote

I’ve never thought this deeply into the idea of hands in pockets and didn’t expect this to be much more than a joke but you’ve made an excellent point. I can absolutely see the act of someone having their hands in their pockets creating a sort of subconscious bias of distrust in others.

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ministickerbook t1_j5c320u wrote

I appreciate you being open to hearing other perspectives. I’ve had anxiety for my whole life, and while putting my hands in my pockets isn’t my go-to thing, I’ll sometimes do it. I’m not a psychology expert but just from my own experiences, I’d say when you’re in a situation of feeling stressed/anxious/etc. that it’s comforting to feel as insulated as possible and/or to “close themselves off” to feel less vulnerable, similar to people who always have their arms crossed. Maybe some people are touching themselves, I dunno, haha but I do feel like there’s a lot of people that just do it as a coping mechanism habit.

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Ramja9 t1_j5e1i2m wrote

I recommend you post this on r/the10thdentist

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Minuted t1_j5av51f wrote

My Nan got me once when I was walking into a funeral with my hands in my pockets.

I think in some situations it's just seen as rude, as though you don't care.

Ignore the downvotes people are babies on reddit.

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KyrieTrin t1_j5eclki wrote

I was in the Army and can attest to the hands out of pockets policy. The way it was explained to me was that it just looks unprofessional, and that much military stuff is based off standard and bearing. Certain haircuts, uniform being neat, minimal make up, hands out of pockets, all that is to at least make a soldier (or sailor!) seem like they know what they're doing and that they're the best.

Out now though, got my hands all up in them pockets and making up for lost time. My handsies just feel so comfy in their homes.

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