What Does It Mean if Someone Puts Their Hands in Their Pockets?

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   In most cases, it signals that someone is nervous, anxious, or uncertain. Stuffing your hands in your pockets conveys meekness, timidness, or anxiety. Someone might do this if they’re actively lying, or if they’re in a situation where they’re overwhelmed, like a job interview or argument. If you want to express strength and confidence, keep your hands out of your pockets.

   • People naturally hide their hands when they’re defensive and want to protect themselves. They also hide their hands if they’re trying to shy away from being seen or called out.
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   If it’s cold out, they’re keeping their hands warm. Is it a little frigid out? If so, someone might put their hands in their pockets to keep themselves warm. When you’re cold, your body naturally slows down the blood flow to your hands in order to keep your organs safe, so people naturally try to warm their hands up once the cold becomes noticeable. ^[1]

   • This is why people will rub their hands together in the cold and blow warm air on them. If you can get your hands warm, your body will increase blood flow. ^[2]
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   If they’re fidgeting with something, they’re bored or self-soothing. If it’s obvious that someone with their hands in their pockets is messing around with something they’re carrying, it’s possible that they’re just subconsciously keeping their hands busy. This kind of mindless movement doesn’t mean much of anything, although it could be a sign that they’re bored, trying to stay awake, or trying to comfort themselves. ^[3]

   • People fidget for all kinds of reasons, but the odds are very high that this kind of hands-in-pocket behavior doesn’t mean a whole lot.
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   If they’re leaning against a wall, they’re trying to look cool. There’s an old archetype of the mysterious guy or gal leaning up against the wall with their hands in their pockets just being all…broody. Some people will try to emulate this by sticking a hand or two into their pockets.
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   They might just like doing it because they feel comfortable with it
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   • This is especially likely to be the case if they’re sticking their thumbs out of the top of their pockets. It’s definitely the case if they’re also cool taking drags on a cigarette while leaning against a street pole.
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   In some cases, they’re intentionally being disrespectful. In some cultures, putting your hands in your pocket while talking to someone is seen as disrespectful or confrontational. Little children often do this when they’re trying to taunt people while showcasing confidence at the same time. ^[5]

   • It’s believed that this ties into the same origin as shaking hands. Historically, the handshake was a way of presenting your hand to show that you weren’t holding a weapon. Keeping your hands in your pockets is the opposite of that! ^[6]
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   If a woman has her hands in her pockets, she’s enjoying the novelty. There’s nothing more unfair in this world than the pocket discrimination women face. Well, okay, there are a lot of more important inequalities in the world, but it’s true that women’s pants rarely get pockets! If you notice a girl stuffing her hands in her pockets or playing with them, she’s probably just enjoying the fact she gets pockets for once. ^[7]

   • Of course, she could also be nervous, bored, or fidgety, but putting her hands in her pockets won’t be a natural reaction for most women the way it will be for men who always have access to pockets.
   • Pockets are rare enough in women’s fashion that there’s even a TikTok trend dedicated to celebrating them.
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