# Do you physically size people up when you meet them? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 28, 2015, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808 "2015-11-28T05:35:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Allthegood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@Allthegood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allthegood)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/41 "2015-11-29T04:20:46Z")
Heck, no. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/42 "2015-11-29T04:26:15Z")
I size them up based on their emotional and mental maturity ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/43 "2015-11-29T04:33:32Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Sometimes. I did Kenpo karate for 5 years when I was younger. Sometimes I still catch myself thinking if we had to go for it I’d do the “leap of death” or the “5 count chop” or one of multiple techniques for the dickwad that wants to do the bonecrusher handshake. 😉 I’d be interested in knowing how to counter that handshake. I sometimes deal with a man who’s very friendly but has a handshake that could do me damage if he wanted. I generally not so much physically size other men up as make a quick assessment of their psychological threat level, whether they fit the profile of a mugger or crazy person. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/44 "2015-11-29T04:47:21Z")
Nope. I had noclue that some people did that. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/45 "2015-11-29T07:58:55Z")
I check up height, size, build, clothing, hair, nails… but no, I don’t wonder which of us would beat up the other in a fight. Last time I got in a physical fight with someone my own size I was 9, last time I was assaulted I was 19 and the dude in question wasn’t someone I would have mixed with by own choice (he was a friend of my cousin’s). > [@Grrr](#): > > The only time I do this is when, upon meeting somebody, they give you one of those crazy firm handshakes. It’s almost if it’s some sort of unspoken male pissing contest. If my underline is true, there are a couple of guys at my current job who need their eyesight checked. And why do those guys always crush my fingers? I’ve got tiny hands, normal people manage to grab the palm and not crush anything! ---
**Author:** ![edwardcoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/46 "2015-11-29T13:04:19Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Maybe this is more a male thing or maybe it’s just the way my brain works but when I meet or interact with new people I often size them up based on how they physically look and try to figure out if I would be able to defeat them in a confrontation if for some random reason that happened to occur. Obviously you can’t know for a fact the guy could be some amateur mma fighter or something I also look for if they have any obvious weak points. It might be a little bit of instinct or just a fun mental game, I’m not sure, does anybody else do this? The thought never crosses my mind. Maybe you are preoccupied with violence for some reason? ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/47 "2015-11-29T13:37:03Z")
> [@GreenElf](#): > > I’d be interested in knowing how to counter that handshake. I sometimes deal with a man who’s very friendly but has a handshake that could do me damage if he wanted. Don’t wrap your fingers around the side of the hand opposite the thumb, rest them along the inside of the wrist. If that doesn’t work, try saying, “Hey, cut that out!” Trust me, you will not look like the ass. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/48 "2015-11-29T20:27:19Z")
[quote=“GreenElf, post:43, topic:738808”] I’d be interested in knowing how to counter that handshake. I sometimes deal with a man who’s very friendly but has a handshake that could do me damage if he wanted. [QUOTE] The counters are generally designed to really hurt someone (simple one is extend the shakers arm and knee him in the heuvos)… ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/49 "2015-11-30T08:34:37Z")
Only when I want to punch someone in the face. Then I look at him, think “I wouldn’t feel that way if he was bigger than me”, and try to get a grip. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/50 "2015-11-30T13:52:21Z")
\*\*Do you physically size people up when you meet them? \*\* No, of course not. However, when someone enters my space, I do routinely pose in the Karate Kid [Crane Stance](http://static.squarespace.com/static/51b3dc8ee4b051b96ceb10de/51ce6099e4b0d911b4489b79/53ad9ff3e4b0f317c46bc8b3/1403903990885/10-fun-facts-about-the-karate-kid-that-you-may-not-know-preview.jpg?format=1000w). It’s just my subtle way of warning tough guys that they better not try starting something with me. It’s also a successful courtship display when used on women, although the Mr. Miyagi [Wax On Wax Off](http://www.wingclips.com/system/movie-clips/the-karate-kid-1984/wax-on-wax-off/images/the-karate-kid-1984-movie-clip-screenshot-wax-on-wax-off_large.jpg) motion works even better. You guys should try it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/51 "2015-11-30T15:10:22Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > [ > > It’s also a successful courtship display when used on women, although the Mr. Miyagi [Wax On Wax Off](http://www.wingclips.com/system/movie-clips/the-karate-kid-1984/wax-on-wax-off/images/the-karate-kid-1984-movie-clip-screenshot-wax-on-wax-off_large.jpg) motion works even better. You guys should try it. The guys down at my local car wash were personally trained by him. Well, at least that is what the sign out front says. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/52 "2015-11-30T18:01:51Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I always give them a sock on the jaw to see if they can take it. If they can, we usually go pull a bender that night. I only hang out with real men. Put yer stinky sock on MY jaw and we’re goin’ round and round! ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/53 "2015-11-30T18:30:55Z")
I do it quite often. Not in work situations, or even most social situations, but a lot of other times. I walk down a lot of St. Louis streets at night, and size up every stranger I see. I am also polyamorous, and that means that my wife and girlfriend often date other guys and I find myself sizing them up when I meet them, too. Usually in an “if this dude ends up being a rapist or abuser, could I physically stop him?” way, or even a “this dude won’t try anything like that because he’s most likely afraid of me” way, but occasionally in a jealous sort of “I’m tougher than this dude” way. Not proud of the latter, but I admit it happens sometimes. Not once has this sort of analysis come in handy though, outside of fluffing my ego. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/54 "2015-11-30T19:34:00Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > I do it quite often. Not in work situations, or even most social situations, but a lot of other times. I walk down a lot of St. Louis streets at night, and size up every stranger I see. > > I am also polyamorous, and that means that my wife and girlfriend often date other guys and I find myself sizing them up when I meet them, too. Usually in an “if this dude ends up being a rapist or abuser, could I physically stop him?” way, or even a “this dude won’t try anything like that because he’s most likely afraid of me” way, but occasionally in a jealous sort of “I’m tougher than this dude” way. Not proud of the latter, but I admit it happens sometimes. > > Not once has this sort of analysis come in handy though, outside of fluffing my ego. Uh…sounds more like you’re not so much polyamorous as _polycuckoldorous_. I, on the other hand, am megapolyamorous. And, if, while strolling down a street in St. Louis, me and my bevy of bodacious babes ever come across you and your adulterous array of ladyfolk (sorry, there’s no good synonym for “women” that begins with the letter “A”), and you start Waxing On and Waxing Off my babes, you’ll risk being Crane Kicked in the crotch by yours truly\* \*mods, this is in no way an actual threat and it evokes no violent imagery; wacky imagery, at best… ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/55 "2015-11-30T19:53:17Z")
Hold the phone… **DrCube** , it just occurred to me that your post may not have been a joke (I can’t tell in this modern world anymore). If that’s the case, I retract my last post. I’ve got nothing against polyamory and my diabetic peripheral neuropathy is too severe to even imagine crane kicking anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/56 "2015-11-30T20:35:59Z")
No, not everyone I meet – just the hot chicks. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/57 "2015-11-30T20:44:02Z")
Another vote for “of course not.” ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/58 "2015-11-30T21:23:29Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > Uh…sounds more like you’re not so much polyamorous as _polycuckoldorous_. Nah, I can believe in and practice romantic and physical love with more than one person at a time and _still_ be jealous of my wife’s boyfriends. And/or suspicious, because I’ve read the feminist blogs and _know_[sup]\*[/sup] that 99% of men are abusive jerks. I just try not to let jealousy dictate my actions. It’s not an emotion I want to base major decisions on. But I can still be jealous if my wife is banging some handsome hipster dude, and be secretly and moderately satisfied that I could crush him if it ever came down to that. Even if he’s a cool guy and we get along and I’m happy for my wife that she found him. Multiple conflicting emotions happen often, especially in my life. That’s why I strive to make rational decisions and not be steered by my fickle emotions. \*Not really. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/59 "2015-11-30T22:48:32Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > meh, I do, but it’s on a level so low that it can barely even be called conscious, for the most part. I have a vague recollection of reading some article stating that pretty much everyone does this, the “sizing up” of unfamiliar people, on a subconscious basis. Don’t know if that is completely accurate, though… ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2015, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808/60 "2015-12-01T13:33:10Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > I size them up based on their emotional and mental maturity You do the old Vulcan mind meld on strangers? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-physically-size-people-up-when-you-meet-them/738808.md?page=4)