Why do people hold their chins to look smart or thoughful?

[Bucky]

I never hold my chin when I'm thinking

But it seems like whenever I see a photo of a guy who's s'posed to be brainy...

the first thing you'll note about him is that he's holding his chin

It doesn't have to be a smart guy or a nice guy

or even a famous guy, or even a guy at all.

He or she just has to be pensive for a moment... or perhaps someone trying to hide a zit. Even someone from the past who was never photographed in their whole life while holding their own chin gets imagined today as a chin-supporter.

What is it that makes this pose look so... I dunno... thinky?

[ForrestGump]

1. It's Rodin's fault

[SPKrazy]

2. All The Little Gyroscopes In The Brain

moving out of synch and it causes wobbly ness and the hand holds the head in place :P

[krispos42]

3. Good question. I mean, think about it...

They keep forgetting if they have facial hair or not, and we think they're intelligent!

:lmao:

[jobycom]

4. Funny thing when I read your post.

I started wondering "Why do people do that? I don't do that..." and then I realized I was doing it.

[Kutjara]

5. It could be worse.

Imagine if everyone grabbed their crotch when they got to thinkin'. That could so easily be misconstrued.

[crim son]

6. We hate our goddamned chins?

I know mine is horrible and it certainly doesn't add to my look of intelligence or wisdom.

[realisticphish]

7. i do it all the time

in fact, i touch my face a LOT when i'm thinking; rub my eyes, scratch my neck, stroke my beard, etc

[AshevilleGuy]

8. Um, it's cultural conditioning.

We all fall for it.

[rustydog]

9. because if they held their crotch, people would be offended?

[trof]

10. Books on body language say

that when a person rubs or touches their chin they are in the process of making a decision.

Back when I was a realtor I found this to be true with my clients many times.

[Skittles]

11. what would you rather they held?

OK don't answer that you pervert bastid

[Skittles]

12. dup

:o

[El Fuego]

13. Maybe it completes an electrical circuit.

So the biochemical electricity emanating from your fingertips is sent back into your brain and your neurons get all fired up. And then you get smarter!
:think: