I was out in role with friends over the weekend and entertained myself by trying out male walks. I can not learn sequences of dance steps if my life depended on it, but I am not a bad mimic. So, what I did was spot a man in the crowd (it was a BUSY day) and walk behind him, mimicking his walk. I did it discretely so he didn't notice (although it did cause my friends untold hilarity). Anyway, I thought I would share my observations of what this was like and see if anyone else has noticed the same.
Firstly, I woke up the next morning with muscles aching in places I never expected them to ache, notably the thighs and abdomen. This made me realise that the process of a male walk is based on a different muscle pattern to mine.
What I noticed was that most men walked with their pelvises thrust forwards (I tend to tip mine back, arse out), their central areas (the lower abdomen and pelvic areas) held fairly rigid (mine move freely in a rather femmy, hip-swingy way), legs are slightly futher apart than mine would normally be (wearing a packer helped me realise the reason for this), toes pointed out further than mine would normally do, chest thrust out and up, but shoulders slumped down and forwards (not easy to do, I tell you!).
If I were to characterise the male walk as compared with my usual walk, it would be like comparing a dog with a cat, if that makes sense.
And I don't know if you do this, but when I am trying to mimic a voice, I start with a certain catch phrase that sort of kicks it off. I have decided that my male walk "catch phrase" is walking downstairs. It seems to involve an exaggeration of all the above. Hold body in straight line, leaning back slightly. Raise knees with them pointing slightly outwards. Step down stairs with toes pointing slightly outwards. Oh, and don't hold onto the handrail. It must be a clear sign of masculine weakness to do so ;)
Anyone have any other observations on walking like a man?
A lot of men seem to have this "cocky" strut when they walk, whether they're conscious of doing this or not is up for debate. It kind of makes me giggle and I can't mimic it without laughing, at least inwardly. An exaggerated version would be watching Vince McMahnn of WWE, though it's a lot like the walks I see here.
From my experience, it's best not to try too hard to mimic a man's walk. I just walk in a way that's comfortable to me, and I've found that my legs only stay close together, and my hips only swing when I actually make them. Otherwise they just naturally stay more masculine. That's all I worry about, because if it doesn't come naturally to me I don't want to force myself to walk in a weird way.
(Oh, and if your muscles are sore after walking differently, maybe you should work out a little bit. ;))
Bit off topic as this isn't walking advice as such... I was once hoiked out of the line of kids coming in from lunch at primary school and asked to walk down the hallway in front of the Head and another teacher... 'doesn't she walk like her dad' they commented loudly to one another. The walking demo was a bit embarrassing (luckily I was once of the last ones in and wasn't with people from the rest of my class) but it didn't occur to me for a minute I should be walking in any other way and secretly I was quite pleased :)
wow.
I don't think I've ever actively analyzed the way men walk. I suppose I've always had a manly gate though... At least my friends have joked around with me about it in the past.
My one friend recently told me that when he mentioned/was describing me once to some people one of the girls in our department said that I walked like I should be 6ft tall and ripped. I'm not sure what that means, but I think I'll take it as a compliment?
That's pretty interesting Tozzle. :D I remember I used to have a boyish walk when I was little, and combined with the feminine clothes my mom wanted me to wear, I must have looked pretty silly. I was once walking through Target with my hands in my pockets, and my mom told me "STOP walking like that! You look like a boy!" I didn't really feel pleased at all though, since I was raised Catholic and used to be kind of afraid of my mom. D: We get along much better now that I'm a little older and an atheist. Hahaha
Quote from: GnomeKid on June 28, 2010, 10:30:52 AM
I'm not sure what that means, but I think I'll take it as a compliment?
I would, definitely!
LOL Shang! I know what you mean! And there are other exagerrated walks that make me laugh, like the goth guy's swinging lope, or the tough guy's knuckle-dragging lurch. I think I could acquire a whole repertoire of these, for use on different occassions!
LucienOctopus, I am very aware that, over the years, I have almost consciously managed my body movements to be acceptably feminine. I have now truly forgotten what it is to be "natural" in any way. This is providing a good opportunity to try out alternatives. I suspect I will settle into some compromise position that my body and I are happy with.
And as for the muscles aching, I am a big walker and can go for literally miles without feeling it. However, walking in a different way to what I am used to must have required me to use a different set of muscles to the ones I usually use. Man walk muscles. It was these that were aching, I believe.
Tozzle, that is outrageous! Fish a child out of the crowd and make it demonstrate how different it is! Cruel. But good for you for being pleased.
Quote from: Papillon on June 28, 2010, 10:39:19 AM
LOL Shang! I know what you mean! And there are other exagerrated walks that make me laugh, like the goth guy's swinging lope, or the tough guy's knuckle-dragging lurch. I think I could acquire a whole repertoire of these, for use on different occassions!
Totally! :icon_giggle:
I wish I could do a "man" walk naturally, but I can't seem to pull it off due to physical constraints. I only get told I look like I'm marching or walk like a horse...though, I'll admit, I have that model walk that most girls try for. Except I get it naturally. ;D
The differences between men's and women's gaits is down to physiology.
A man tends to have narrow hips with a big sensitive bit in the middle. He needs to push his knees out a bit and will tend to walk so each foot swings slightly diagonal.
A woman tends to have wide hips. Also, they tend to be a bit selsitive, or perhaps, self conscious about what's in between. So women will tend to walk with their knees closer together. I've seen a lot of women whose knees are almost bent inward. They tend to walk in a straight line.
Men tend to take large steps and lean slightly back.
To #3. When I was younger, I often heard people saying my walk was not very manly. Though the word they tended to use was poofy.
Strange how these peculairities are preceived differently between males and females.
I tried to walk with my pelvis thrust forward, and i just look silly, haha.
Oh dear! This thread has made me chuckle. Years ago I was told I 'walked like a bloke', but now my girlfriend tells me I walk like an angry lesbian. Apparently I lead with my shoulders. I did try leading with my hips, but just ended up like Garth doing his 'Foxy Lady' dance (Wayne's World FTW).
I think the speed you're walking and how purposeful your walk is (compared to your usual relaxed gait) may well determine which bit of your body leads.... walking fast and leading with my head once lead to a nasty collision with my brother, after which I had to sit with a bag of frozen peas on my head to try and bring the bruise down.
Maybe there are as many different walks as there are bipeds and they can be roughly grouped together in genres (like catwalk model, angry lesbian, surfer dude, high powered executive etc.)?
I try my best to stand tall, even though I'm always somewhat self conscious of my chest.
I've been told all my life even since childhood that I "walk like a farmer". Those were my mom's words. I guess I do. It got even worse when I transitioned cause I didn't try to supress my male tendencies anymore. I walk with a swivel...hard to explain...I sorta sway or move half my body instead of just my leg when I walk. Idk why. It's a habit. It's definitely a male walk though. It's more of a..."don't mess with me"...stance.
Post Merge: June 28, 2010, 12:29:12 PM
I try my best to stand tall, even though I'm always somewhat self conscious of my chest.
I've been told all my life even since childhood that I "walk like a farmer". Those were my mom's words. I guess I do. It got even worse when I transitioned cause I didn't try to supress my male tendencies anymore. I walk with a swivel...hard to explain...I sorta sway or move half my body instead of just my leg when I walk. Idk why. It's a habit. It's definitely a male walk though. It's more of a..."don't mess with me"...stance.
everyone i know, says i walk like Shaggy from scooby doo. :l fml
Quote from: Damian on June 28, 2010, 12:30:52 PM
everyone i know, says i walk like Shaggy from scooby doo. :l fml
LOL! But that is an exagerration of the exact body posture we have been talking about! Pelvis forwards, slouched shoulders. You've cracked it! Just tone it down a bit now, eh?
Quote from: Papillon on June 28, 2010, 12:59:03 PM
LOL! But that is an exagerration of the exact body posture we have been talking about! Pelvis forwards, slouched shoulders. You've cracked it! Just tone it down a bit now, eh?
Shaggy: the FTM role-model :laugh:
As a child I would mimic the stance of Goku in Dragon Ball Z. I still to this day stand with my hips forward and upper body leaned back. ::)
Also, this.
Quote from: Shang on June 28, 2010, 10:16:58 AM
A lot of men seem to have this "cocky" strut when they walk, whether they're conscious of doing this or not is up for debate.
I do have a "cocky strut" in my opinion and I am highly conscious of it when I begin to think about it, but otherwise it's just another part of my person.
I too have been told off forever for the way i walk- apparently 'ladies' don't walk with their hands in their pockets or shoulders hunched or walk with a swagger. Well that would explain why i'm not a lady!!!!
Just thinking, it is also a matter of anatomy. The female pelivs is tipped back, compared to the male. To try and compensate for that by imitating a male walk is probably not good for one's back, I should think.
*ponders on this*
I am a man thus I walk as a man (as opposed to "like" a man meaning similar to).
Quote from: Papillon on June 28, 2010, 03:21:32 PM
Just thinking, it is also a matter of anatomy. The female pelivs is tipped back, compared to the male. To try and compensate for that by imitating a male walk is probably not good for one's back, I should think.
*ponders on this*
Yea, I was thinking this. Perhaps adjusting ones walk in small ways to be less feminine would be healthier than attempting to recreate a whole new masculine walk. That, and it would probably also look much more natural. Its hard to see yourself walk, and if its too unnatural for you you're just going to look dumb.
Quote from: zombiesarepeaceful on June 28, 2010, 12:28:42 PM
I've been told all my life even since childhood that I "walk like a farmer". Those were my mom's words.
This is exactly the comment I used to get. I never managed (or really tried) to develop a feminine walk. I'm a klutz anyway, and I suck horribly at mimicking mannerisms.
Quote from: kyril on June 28, 2010, 10:48:02 PM
This is exactly the comment I used to get. I never managed (or really tried) to develop a feminine walk. I'm a klutz anyway, and I suck horribly at mimicking mannerisms.
That's one reason I can't do a masculine walk. The second I try, you see a person go tumbling or falling into stuff--pretty funny, actually.
I wonder if I'll look less awkward when my body starts to look more male. I don't exactly walk as gracefully as your average gay man of my build/general look (they tend to swish).
Quote from: Papillon on June 28, 2010, 03:21:32 PM
Just thinking, it is also a matter of anatomy. The female pelivs is tipped back, compared to the male. To try and compensate for that by imitating a male walk is probably not good for one's back, I should think.
*ponders on this*
Believe me, I used to slouch all the time and it messed up my back. I still have back pain and I don't have the money to go get it looked at anymore.
Would not recommend slouching at all.
Lachlann, this is very true. One should respect one's body's needs, particularly the back. We may be male, but we were born with female skeletons, unfortunately.
I, on the other hand, walk like a duck and that is not good for my lower back. Making my walk more "male" is actually doing wonders for my posture!
I just walk in the way that's natural to me. I guess it works because I naturally walk with my feet/hips ahead and my torso leaned back. My family says it looks funny, but when I try to walk "normal" the way they show me I just feel off balance and can't do it at all.
Maybe it's because all those years of marching band taught me to lead with my feet and keep my torso stationary. :D
When I came out to my friends I asked them if they had any hints they might have known about me before I told them and two of them said yeah and both commented on the way I walk and hold myself, so I guess I've always had a boyish walk.
Quote from: Farm Boy on June 29, 2010, 05:39:55 AM
Maybe it's because all those years of marching band taught me to lead with my feet and keep my torso stationary. :D
This. ;D
Heel-to-toe is the only way I can walk and sometimes it's a pain in the bum! Oh, but how I loved band. :D
I've always subconciously walked like a guy, put my hands in my pockets, and carried things (like school books and the like) as a guy would. My mother used to threaten me with modelling school if I didn't walk like a girl but her threats didn't work haha.
Lucky you Matthew. I got sent to a school to learn how to walk like a lady. It sucked big time. Hurts too.
I don't really understand how my skeleton is very different from any male I know. I have small bone-structure but that runs in my family, in the men, too. My hips have some fat on them but the bones are straight, and my shoulders are big. It varies from person to person. I've never walked with my hips or my butt, like I've seen some girls do. I don't understand how that would be comfortable and I've always been self-conscious, afraid that I will walk too much like that. As it is, I'm either fast, with long strides, unfortunately hunched slightly forward, or slow and leisurely with a bit of a lazy swagger, hands in pockets. I have a big problem with hunching. With those with more prominent hips, I think making adjustments to your walk will do wonders... It is just what you get used to, in my opinion.
Quote from: Tozzle on June 28, 2010, 10:24:51 AM
Bit off topic as this isn't walking advice as such... I was once hoiked out of the line of kids coming in from lunch at primary school and asked to walk down the hallway in front of the Head and another teacher... 'doesn't she walk like her dad' they commented loudly to one another. The walking demo was a bit embarrassing (luckily I was once of the last ones in and wasn't with people from the rest of my class) but it didn't occur to me for a minute I should be walking in any other way and secretly I was quite pleased :)
Haha I understand what you mean. When I was a kid all of my family members would always compare my sister and I (She's a year and a month younger than me). And they always said "[Chris] walks like her dad...a lot like her dad while Mollie walks like...well a normal girl."
I didn't care back then because I was like "W/e, it's just walking." but yeah, I get it.
I think I've always sort of conformed to a male walk, when the skeletal changes happened I've been forced to walk differently and well, the female "waddle" just feels awkward to me. End result, my lower back has been pointed out as not being too happy. What can I say, I despise the female walk (well, when I have to do it. Ladies are fine with me.)
Damn that's some research Papillon and I had quite some fun trying it out.
I've always had trouble with my walks (read: I walk like a moron really...). In the past I managed to walk without moving my upper body at all... Mainly because my mother yip-yapped at me for swaying my shoulders too much. I dropped that, started swaying my shoulders again and looked like I was the toughest guy on the block. The problem was that my legs were usually all over the place...
So, I tried pushing my hips forward last night while walking home. Finally got some control over my legs! (yay)... Looked in the windows I passed and went '... Right, I walk just like my dad...' Thus, I now look like the toughest guy on the block who used to serve in the military... 8) It also felt more natural actually..
I'd also like to say that you might not get lower back pain, because I didn't. I got upper back pain in my shoulder. Not fun.
I've always had a more masculine walk, but somewhere along the line I subconsciously developed an even more masculine walk that comes out when I'm really confident or pleased about something. My friends call it my "pimp walk".
It feels better to walk in a guyish way. Walking more like a girl always made me feel insecure and didn't feel as physically comfortable.