Why Do People Do This?

[Misha]

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

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.

My father's father only walked like this - even from room to room and he was a Captain (in Europe) so I think the military thing is the most obvious and common reason. My father most likely got it from oberving his own pater.

The point about hand clasping and Orthodoxy is an interesting one. I had a think about the last time I went to church - and you betcha: I would say 80% of people cross hands. When they are side by side it is too uncomfortable and too tempting to get some swing happening - a no no during an Orthodox liturgy

I wonder if the guy in the first post (no doubt travelling to HKT) was carrying his passport like that behind him *seemingly waiting for it to be stolen* as he is quite young and hip/trendy, and refuses to travel with pockets :mrgreen:

 

[RB]

I wonder if the guy in the first post (no doubt travelling to HKT) was carrying his passport like that behind him *seemingly waiting for it to be stolen* as he is quite young and hip/trendy, and refuses to travel with pockets :mrgreen:

Actually when I zoom on this guy he was due to sit in 1K.-BA boarding pass, taken in Athens I think.

My interest remains because despite the answers so far, there appears no reason why some people incorporate newspapers, rosary, shopping, keys etc, left over right, right over left, elbow hold, thumb only and we even saw one guy with a determined hold despite a missing thumb!

 

[BadgerBoi]

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

Of course they would. All dogs speak with an Australian accent.
Confirmation:
Wilfred US | Old dog has new tricks

 

[samh004]

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

Lovely response!

I generally put my hands in my pockets to keep them out of the way

 

[Vinny]

I've noticed this more in China and HKG.