ChatterBank1 min ago
Holding Hands
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What is the origin of holding hands and why is the boy's hand in the front always and the girl's at the back?
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Some info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holding_hands
Regarding mens hand in front when holding a girls hand, I have never really thought about it, but I imagine that it stems from some sort of masculine assertion and feminine submission. I don't really know. In many cultures it is more common for men to hold hands with each other rather than with women.
The position of the hands may be due to the need for protection (in the days when women admitted that they needed protection). Some time ago, I was leading a child down some very steep steps when he missed his footing. Because I was holding his hand in that way, he was left dangling safely at the end of my arm.
When I was growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, couples would not be seen holding hands. Their arms would be linked together, giving the impression of being joined at the elbows. Fortunately, holding hands was in fashion by the time I became interested in girls.
I think I've been doing it wrong all these years, no wonder I'm single. I had no idea there was an ettiquette for who's hand went where. Most of those sort of things though, come down to being able to draw swords and things, that's why we drive on the left after all. Its because the woman has to be on a man's left side so he can draw his sword but she also has to be on the inside so that when people above emptied their chamber pots it was the man that got wet. Nice
The whole 'man's hand at the front' business, I can only state from personal experience. My hubby is taller than me and has much larger hands than mine. It is physically very uncomfortable for us to hold hands other than in the conventional way.
I guess it's the same reason why we all hold children's hands by placing ours at the front.
I guess it's the same reason why we all hold children's hands by placing ours at the front.
I'd interpret the gesture of the man holding his hand out, palm down, as meaning something like 'Let us accompany each other'. When the girl agrees by clasping his hand, His hand will end up in front.
The gesture of holding his hand out, palm upward, I would interpret more as ''come toward me'.
Grunty's remark on linking arms brought back memories. When wearing army uniform, it was the rule that a girl must have her arm linked through the man's. If the man's arm was linked through the girl's, the Military Police would intervene to determine whether she was being held against her will !!
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