# I got my hand down my pants **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 12, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776 "2004-02-12T02:44:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/61 "2004-02-13T06:46:29Z")
> [@Joachim Pieper](#): > > Interesting thread. Some guy passes comment on some sort of behaviour which is (usually, to be fair) seen when young black guys do it. (And italians - external and internal cupping issues here). > > And then twenty people jump in to demonstrate how not-racist they are. Hugely enlightening. Read his opening sentences again. > [@](#): > > What’s the deal with black guys anyway? I know they like to grab their crotch a lot, well fine, if that’s what they want to do. He makes a sweeping generalization and then goes on to justify it by recounting a single anecdote. And, just to make sure he gets his point across, he makes sure we understand that it’s the colour of the skin of the individual in question that protects him from the law. > [@](#): > > I was going to try standing there doing the same thing one day, but I was sure a white guy would be arrested rather quickly for such behavior Now, in what **possible** way is that _not_ racism? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/62 "2004-02-13T14:24:40Z")
Alright, I live in Oakland County, outside of Detroit; it’s the wealthiest part of the State of Michigan (though I sure as HELL ain’t), and I see young men only, of all races, walking and standing around my college campus full-on holding a handful of what appears to be their pants and/or genitals. Now, I think the physical purpose is two-fold; their pants are quite baggy and unbelted, so as to nearly fall down, and they enjoy holding their man bits. And socially, they’re announcing their membership in the club of sheep that emulate the hip hop culture from a safe distance. When I first saw it, I snickered at them out right and was given ‘looks’ that were evidently supposed to shush or frighten me. I couldn’t help it; it reminded me of two little boys I used to baby-sit for who would hold their fronts as a sign of needing the bathroom. For the record, my campus has blacks, whites, asians, and arabs, all of whom I have seen ‘cupping’. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/63 "2004-02-13T15:05:26Z")
I have seen a number of young black males standing around in public with one or both hands stuffed inside the front of their pants. I have not observed this behavior in persons of any other racial, age or gender group. Those are my personal observations. This fad does present a problem, however. Recently I was introduced to a young man who was engaging in this activity. A lifetime of habit dictated that a handshake should be preformed but……ewwww! I took a step backward without extending my hand, nodded and said: “Glad to meet ya’”. What would be the proper thing to do in such circumstances? I know I ain’t shakin’ hands. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/64 "2004-02-13T15:52:35Z")
Yeah, what’s with these crotch grabbers going around being so male and black all the time? > [@WILLASS](#): > > Oh sorry I missunderstood, you mean that dick grabbing thing that rappers do? WTF are you getting your knickers in a twist about _that_ for? I don’t think he’s twisting, I think he’s just scratching… ---
**Author:** ![maggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@maggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/65 "2004-02-13T16:12:27Z")
It seems to be a new thing here with the pointy finger hand…can’t really describe it except it looks like you’re trying to point, except that your arm falls down. Well, this doesn’t seem very clear…but I hope someone gets it. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/66 "2004-02-13T16:14:01Z")
What’s the deal with Straight Dope posters anyway? I know they like to post stupid OPs a lot, well fine, if that’s what they want to do. But there was this one poster I would see in the Pit, once in a while, right on the first forum page. He would post there with the stupidest OPs I’ve ever seen. What the hell is the deal? I was going to try posting something stupid one day, but I was sure a non-Doper would be flamed rather quickly for such behavior. Yes indeed. What _is_ the deal with Straight Dope posters? Since they like to post stupid OPs a lot. And I know this. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/67 "2004-02-13T17:21:52Z")
Didn’t anyone notice that Michael Jackson hasn’t grabbed his crotch since he turned white ? ---
**Author:** ![dylan\_73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dylan\_73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dylan_73)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/68 "2004-02-13T17:49:34Z")
Didn’t anyone notice that Michael Jackson has turned white since he stopped grabbing his crotch? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2004, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/69 "2004-02-13T22:58:27Z")
> [@dylan\_73](#): > > Didn’t anyone notice that Michael Jackson has turned white since he stopped grabbing his crotch? This is pure brilliance! I wonder if you could submit for Comedy Central to do a ‘serious’ peice on this. ---
**Author:** ![Sqube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Sqube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sqube)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/70 "2004-02-14T08:52:39Z")
But umm… yeah. Weird OP there, seeing as the college I go to is **all black and all male** and I can honestly say that I haven’t noticed this occurring with any sort of frequency (I am a sophomore, and I can honestly say that I don’t remember ever having seen it). As was previously stated, I suggest you qualify your statement. I was going to post all full of righteous indignation and such, but I figured it was pointless. ---
**Author:** ![talking\_head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a8b319/32.png) [@talking\_head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/talking_head)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/71 "2004-02-14T12:11:40Z")
I live in DC and have only seen an old white man holding his crotch in the park across from the White House (sign language to GWB, perhaps). However, my boss is a brilliant physician from China who scratches his ass and picks his nose in public. It must be an asian thing . I am so confused!!! ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/72 "2004-02-15T03:34:04Z")
You know, it REALLY MAKES ME MAD that some people do things differently than I do. Can you believe it? There are some people who don’t act _anything like me_. It’s amazing, but true. I can’t stand that. Who do they think they are? How dare they not act like I think they should? It’s unbelievable. CC, it’s been great… it’s been nice… it’s been, ummm, something to know you. Please don’t make a sock puppet after you get banned. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/73 "2004-02-15T12:24:16Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > CC, it’s been great… it’s been nice… it’s been, ummm, something to know you. Please don’t make a sock puppet after you get banned. Banned for what? Impersonating a Mod? ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/74 "2004-02-15T15:26:56Z")
C’mon, people! Don’t be hating! Can’t ya all just read between the lines here, and see that what **ccwaterback** is really asking is “Why, oh why won’t some of those young black men put their hands down MY pants?” C’mon, people! Have a little sympathy! P.S. **ccwaterback** , how much is 9 inches? (That was a math question… to check if he’s Asian.) 😉 I _ **said** _😉 ! ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/75 "2004-02-15T16:29:18Z")
Hey everyone, **gluteus maximus** is homophobic!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/76 "2004-02-15T16:33:28Z")
No, I’m not. ---
**Author:** ![Joachim\_Pieper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Joachim\_Pieper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joachim_Pieper)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/77 "2004-02-16T10:41:55Z")
you are now… Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/78 "2004-02-16T17:18:14Z")
(checks for feelings of fear, foreboding, loathing, or anxiety about men who are sexually attracted to other men, or the aforesaid feelings about other men’s penises being touched by men) Nope. I’m still not homophobic. (checks for feelings of fear, foreboding, loathing, or anxiety about other men touching their own penises, or the aforesaid feelings about other men noticing that I’m watching them touch their own penises) Nope. I’m still not **ccwaterback**. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/79 "2004-02-17T05:13:54Z")
[QUOTE=gluteus maximus] (checks for feelings of fear, foreboding, loathing, or anxiety about other men touching their own penises, or the aforesaid feelings about other men noticing that I’m watching them touch their own penises)[/QUIOTE] **gluteus maximus** seeks out men engaged in this activity and wants to stand close to them. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776/80 "2004-02-20T11:58:56Z")
I don’t pay enough attention to men’s crotches to answer this question. I’m okay with that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-hand-down-my-pants/228776.md?page=5)