Did people in the past swing their arms more as they walked?

I’m detailing my asshole using Q-tips.

*

It’s possible that people were more physical, back then. They weren’t sitting, looking at screens so much - or walking, looking at a phone.

People literally don't know how to walk anymore.

Came to post what r2 did.

Good job, r2.

This is a very profound and deep question. I am shocked it has never been asked before.

Yes, it was considered elegant.

“and also in the Asians”. Which Asians, OP? Please share your definition.

Koreans and Chinese, r8.

Of course!

Vogue vogue vogue vogue

R4 "literally"

Well I remember in elementary school (in the 60s) they made a big deal of moving one's arms when walking, since it improves exercise. Helping with the circulation and heart rate, and working the muscles of the arm. There were very few private gyms. Fitness emphasized walking, gymnastics, sports, swimming and running.

*I forgot calisthenics. We did a ton of calisthenics.

Arm swinging is integral to the human gait:

Too many people on sidewalks now, reducing us all to Geisha Kimono walking!

Equivalent to manspreading. A no no, like reclining your airplane seat.

I had a friend comment that I swung my arms too much....now I am very aware of how far they go. That was maybe 10 years ago...

r16 gave me my first real laugh of the day

I think the answer is obvious:

Millennials have clearly ruined walking too!

Damn them!!!

And it's threads like this that keep me coming back to DL daily! Thanks, OP!

R18 Is your friend a cranky control freak?

It just appears they are because they were all 5 feet tall with rickets, scurvy and the vapors.

R22, not really. I think I am more of a control freak over him. Maybe it is an east coast vs west coast thing.

I don't know how elegant it is, but I learned in Physical Therapy that swinging your arms while you walk - which I was encouraged to do - helps with balance as people age, or, as in my case, have mobility issues.

For whatever that is worth...

I just can't remember!

I am always carrying something in one or both arms. How the fk am I supposed to flail them about like a chimp in a troop? I vote for discretionary arm swinging, as required.

In the way, way back we swung our arms to avoid knuckle burns.

Bump

Aggressive arm swinging while walking in cities can lead to lawsuits or accusations of unwanted touching. It's easy to accidently touch someone's crotch while swinging the hand back.

I think it has something to do with the hold military culture had over the northern hemisphere in those days. Schools were run much more like quasi boot camps, conscription was a thing. It was not uncommon for a school teacher to 'march' their students entering in and out of the school, single file walking, etc,.

A straight friend mentioned that gay guys swing their arms. Sat on a bench on Hudson Street in the West Village for a half-hour. He's right.

You wish, OP

People really do have ghastly gaits these days.

You’re welcome.

It's harder for fat whores to swing their arms more today.

Their side boobs and moobage get in the way.

I noticed a lot of asians either have immaculate walking style or they're very sloppy and kick their knees up as they walk.

Exactly! Leo's not gay, he's just... old-fashioned.

Yeah and it's because they weren't all hepped up on the Tweeting and the Faceplace and the TikenFlea and all that mess. They weren't all caught up in the wokesters and that Tranny whatnot. I'll tell you what.

R39 LMAO Hurr Durr LOL WTF so cringe IKR? 💩 👀

When I watch those old videos, a lot of men walk with their hand in their pockets, which I find rare today.

Lots of pocket pool happened in the old tymes.

Raquel Welch was fired from Scarsdale Surprise for not moving her arms when she tap danced.

THat's why it was called the Swing Era.

[quote]Did people in the past swing their arms more as they walked?

Just the cute ones.

There is a solution if swinging arms bother you, OP, and you're afraid it's catching.

We're all looking at our phones.