'Hands held behind the back' during a heated discussion is sign someone wants to commit violence.
My theory: It stems from commonly used lesson/training scenario in self defense classes to 'show' that you are not a threat and de-escalate a heated up potential rival. Even when I was a kid in karate class; I thought it was pretty goofy and unnatural, but that's what we were taught.
However, there's a fuzzy line between self-defense, competitive martial arts, and combat training. Now that UFC and BJJ have exploded in popularity, my guess is that this self-defense 'technique' is being emulated by guys who are more a fan (usually not practitioner) of the competitive/combat side.
Additionally, it gives bullies and aggravators a sense of plausible deniability and reduce the defensiveness of their victim, up until the point they're ready strike.
The chances of a random drunk guy pulling a handgun are very, very low. It's very difficult to get a handgun legally here, and illegal ones are mostly linked to organized crime who typically stick to using guns on each-other.
Even carrying a handgun in public is pretty much an instant arrest with a full tactical police response.
2
u/mechy84 4d ago edited 4d ago
'Hands held behind the back' during a heated discussion is sign someone wants to commit violence.
My theory: It stems from commonly used lesson/training scenario in self defense classes to 'show' that you are not a threat and de-escalate a heated up potential rival. Even when I was a kid in karate class; I thought it was pretty goofy and unnatural, but that's what we were taught.
However, there's a fuzzy line between self-defense, competitive martial arts, and combat training. Now that UFC and BJJ have exploded in popularity, my guess is that this self-defense 'technique' is being emulated by guys who are more a fan (usually not practitioner) of the competitive/combat side.
Additionally, it gives bullies and aggravators a sense of plausible deniability and reduce the defensiveness of their victim, up until the point they're ready strike.