Why do Chinese middle age/old men walk with their hands behind their backs and head down?

Ive seen alot around, and they all walk like this, they look like the stereotypical martial arts masters in deep meditation, is it to do with Chinese Culture?

Why do Chinese middle age/old men walk with their hands behind their backs and head down?
Humility.
Reply:they are deep in thought
Reply:They're thinking. I don' t know, ask one of them. I sometimes walk with my hands behind my back. I'm neither old or chinese, or a man, but it's just something I do.
Reply:The more they do it, it means how intellegent they are. And they are showing others that they are wise.
Reply:It is only when they stare down at the ground with their hands behind their backs, they can really see the meaning of life.





It's just a stereotype dude, the chinese have to do something to be different!


(I'm part chinese, but my chinese grandfather doesn't do that)
Reply:there could be 2 reasons for that:


Elderly Chinese consider this posture to be impressive


Elderly Chinese are afraid of being kicked in their behind or stepping on a pile of human dung.


make your choice.
Reply:Practising for when they're beheaded.
Reply:They are older than you think. With age your bones will get weak and hollow and your spine will bend. We cant last forever, we all have to detorate and make an exit sometime. Even machines dont last forever, nothing does. The chinese are very strong, they look liket middle age, but they will be 70 or 80 yrs old. You neck too will get weak and your head will be stoping forward. These are all age related which none of us can escape, every one who is luckly enough to live that long will understand it.They should be admired for still getting by and they are still on their feet not bedridden.
Reply:The fear mongering culture of the Communist and cultural revolutions in china depressed individual thought and expression. Those who have moved here are the free thinkers but the mimicking posture to mask individuality was ingrained like a survival instinct. Watch early film of the Communist leaders and you will see where this survival mimicry started.
Reply:Now that you mention it, it does seem to be true. Perhaps part of their culture.
Reply:Just deep in thought, contemplating the tribulations of life, or they just don't want to step on someone spit on the sidewalk.
Reply:hump