Poor John has more converts
Poor John is second from the left
Regular followers of this blog will know that Poor John almost always walks with his hands clasped behind his back. It’s his signature pose. I’ve written about it here and here.
People who have travelled with us in the past get a kick out of sending me (not him) photos of other people doing the same. They also like to copy his pace.
This African trip was no exception. Most of the truck group went out to dinner one night in Yamoussoukro, capital of the Ivory Coast. I think Poor John was completely unaware of his following.
I wonder if any of them are keeping up the tradition? I wonder if any of you walk this way? I do sometimes.
Where to next? 
Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal.
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Thanks so much. Always appreciate your support.
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The image is curious. Look at everyone doing the same thing that John is amazing. It is a personal brand that will be imposed on the trip.
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Yes, his personal brand. Great comment.
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I sometimes get startled when I realise that I’m doing the Poor John gait! But don’t tell anyone.
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Your secret is safe with me.
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I don’t walk this way, but it does invoke an unhurried saunter. I think I may have to adopt it for times when I am not running for the bus.
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Maybe I meant evoke…..
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A fellow traveller once said this walk helped to push him uphill.
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Really striking image, the entire group mirroring P. J., and I realize, what a rare sight, since the standard pose now is to hunch over your smartphone
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No risk there. Poor John still doesn’t own a mobile phone—smart or otherwise.
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Hilarious in a charming way. Or charming in a hilarious way. I have enjoyed your expressions of affection for Poor John.
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Everyone agrees that Poor John is a keeper.
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John is a good sport. I am sure he knew what they were doing. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Don’t be so sure, Pete. I have other pictures in which I’ve been positive that he’s not noticed his ‘followers’.
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Haha. It looks like such a relaxed way to walk.
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Go on, try it! 🙂
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I’ll have to when I go for another walk. Lol
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That is so funny. They obviously like John a lot!
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It was so completely spontaneous. Glad I was dawdling far enough back to get a few pics.
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Priceless! And as Minister of Contemplative Walks, a real trend-setter. (I wonder if he looked back at all…?)
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I didn’t see him look back and I’ve never shown him the pics. He’ll see them when he checks the blog in a month or so.
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Simon says? – Or, Poor John says.
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He leads by example. 🙂
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Yup. My favorite way to walk 🙂 – I completely agree with all his followers.
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I think it’s become a family trait.
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I imagine it is a good way to occupy one’s hands – does he gesticulate when talking? – and in our military it was a sin to put your hands in your pockets. I find myself doing it, but mostly when I’m pondering something such as something in a store or art gallery.
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I love pockets and use mine a lot.
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Gender difference – I notice the woman is carrying all the “equipment” and does not have hands behind her back in a vulnerable position. hmmmmmmmmm
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Definitely no gender difference on this occasion. Lotte carried her backpack everywhere.
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It is usually the stance of men in deep thought! It involves thinking about sex, or if not that, what they will have for lunch or dinner.
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Well we were walking to a restaurant.
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What does hands behind back mean? Googling;
“When someone is holding their hands behind their back and the hands are positioned in a palm in palm gesture, this not only exposes the entire front of the person’s body but is a display of fearlessness, superiority, as well as confidence in themselves.” What a guy, what a leader.. I think it is best to let him take the lead walking and just follow behind.
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Oh dear, Sy, I’d better not let him see that definition. It will go to his head.
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When you see photos of fellow travellers walking the same way as Poor John, it looks highly amusing of course, but how strange to see so many walking with their hands behind their backs in the one photo.
I never walk with my hands behind my back as I’m prone to tripping. I’ve usually got a shopping trolley, camera in hand, drink bottle of something else to occupy my hands anyway, even when I’ve got my tiny backpack on my back to free up my hands for random photography, I’m more likely to have my hands in my jacket pockets.
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I especially liked the fact that it happened so spontaneously. As if people had been waiting for the opportunity. And this happened early on in our travels.
I’m a pocket user too.
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I love all the comments as much as your post!
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I love the comments too. I’ve told Poor John he has to look at the post soon.
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Oh, if only John didn’t walk quite so far ahead, he might see all this going on behind him!!!
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He’s very good at being oblivious to what’s going on around him.
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It’ll be hard to resist now
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I’ll be looking for photos on your blog.
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I asked for that 🙂
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Hahah that’s brilliant! Group thought can result in shared behaviours and postures, but I’ve not seen it quite like this before. Great job with getting the photo 😂
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Thanks. It all happened so fast, I was lucky to have my phone with me.
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Googled “hands in back walking” for some images. And surprisingly your photo already is shown on Google, one of the first 12 or so images.
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Oh geez, now he’s famous! hahaha
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haha – he’s a trend setter!
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In a small part of the world. 🙂
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Oh my gosh Peggy, how funny, he has certainly set the trend here.
He must have read this and laughed! 😉
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He probably hasn’t read it yet. He’s not really net savvy. But he’ll laugh when he does see it.
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My husband does that at well…and it seems to rub off on me from time to time
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Happens in our family too.
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One word. Funny.
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Two words. Thank you!
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Ha ha very good.
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Really too funny.
Peta
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It’s his signature walk.
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Peggy, I used to have a saying when I took my classes on excursions and wanted them to follow me through some exhibit or other. “I’d say, “Walk this way” and then I’d head off. And often if I looked behind all the class would me mimicking me. But I stopped one day when an officer at a museum looked at my class and said, “Walk this way”. Unfortunately the poor fellow had a rather distinctive stride due to a wooden leg. And what did my class do. They all walked his way. He turned to see them and without batting an eyelid started to do a John Cleese funny walk. They did and soon the old codger and the class were competing to see who was the silliest.
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Oh that’s brilliant. Bless the museum officer for having the good sense of humour to do a John Cleese funny walk. Everyone wins in these circumstances. Thanks for sharing the story.
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Made me roar!
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Still can’t believe I managed to capture the event.
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That is fascinating! I don’t think I walk like that but now I wonder…
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You’ll be ultra aware now.
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What a fun group. I don’t tend to walk like that. At least last time I checked I didn’t….
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I suppose it could creep up on you at any time. 🙂
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I had better be on guard then!
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Or just roll with it.
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Thank You. Well, when being Young, I walked sometimes the same way. When visiting museums and watching art pieces, I do the same. I must say that nowadays it is quite unknown habit here in Finland.
Have a good day!
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Ah yes, a good way to walk through museums and art galleries.
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I would probably fall on my face, lol. I can see myself standing that way, but not walking!
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It’s not hard to walk this way, but I usually prefer to swing my arms as I go.
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Hee hee! I wouldn’t be surprised if people do this without thinking about it–sort of like a yawn. If one yawns, others inevitably follow suit. 🙂
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Jean, I think you’re right. I often find myself walking this way, but I never did before I knew Poor John. At least I don’t think I did. 🙂
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Hee hee! Not that we ever think about it! 🙂
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So true.
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People tend to mimic the body positions of people they are sympathetic with, agree with in a discussion, or just like. John apparently inspires others by his diplomatic calmness!
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Oh my goodness, I never thought of it that way, but I think you’re right. I won’t tell him. 😉
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LOL!
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