Why does talking on the phone cause some men to continuously "readjust"?

It’s basically a power-trip. By adjusting their mood and tone of voice when answering the phone, it puts them in what they see as a superior, higher position to the person they’re talking to. Men that do this feel “under attack” by their friends, coworkers, & the world at large. It might also reveal a personality defect, a lack of self-esteem, where they compensate by trying to appear superior to everyone else because they feel so lacking compared to everyone else. These men don’t need a pat on the back, they need to be pounded on the back constantly.

lol…I don’t mean “adjusting” as in, mood or tone of voice (though that could also be the case). I mean “adjusting” as in, adjusting himself…man parts-wise. lol It’s a continual thing…one “adjustment” after the next. It doesn’t stop until the phone call does.

Maybe he’s just uncomfortable.

I dont “adjust,” but I do pace around a lot when I’m talking on the phone. It might just be an impulse, almost like a nervous tick that somone might have.

He holds his genitals for the duration of all phone calls?

Adjusts…not holds. Adjusts. Talks with the hands for a few (10–15) seconds. Adjusts again. This repeats again and again until he hangs up the phone (and typically it’s business-related calls). I’ve seen this habit before with other males. I just assumed it was a guy thing, though I don’t quite get it. I get the “nervous tick” thing…and I figured that was it. I just don’t understand why a phone call would spark it…or why guys even see the need to make adjusting their unit a habit where nervous ticks are concerned. Why not tap a pencil or pace back and forth?

Talking on the phone engages the hands, mouth and brain all at the same time, three parts of the body that the male is essentially alienated from and uncomfortable with. He needs to reconnect with some other part of the body that represents familiarity, comfort, identity and possibly status and pleasure. Hence, the hands roam to the… adjustable.

I agree with Eight. On the phone, all you are is your voice. If the voice isn’t strong, it can’t be reinforced by body position or facial expression, after all, on the phone, you’re just a voice. This is very annoying to be nonexistent and just to be a voice, a ghost of one’s former self. A spook or a specter. It is an eerie experience to be suddenly turned into a ghost.

That would make sense. So, basically, he’s just refamiliarizing himself with…himself, in order to be more comfortable while speaking to people that represent uncomfortable scenarios/situations. I guess I’m just wondering why it is that when I’m having an uncomfortable phone conversation I don’t randomly find myself fondling my own breasts.

Oh, but what a wonderful world that would be, if women did do that.

lol…maybe I’ll give it a try. I was thinking my husband might see how ridiculous it looks and stop adjusting himself…but something tells me it might have the reverse effect.

Hahaha! More than likely! I’d say that you would be correct with that assumption. Then again, he might get mad and wanna know who you are talking to while you “touch” yourself. I have trouble seeing how a girl would readjust.

A female ghost fondling her own breasts every time she’s on the phone. Steven King, are you listening?

Ah! Breast adjustment. Hmmm… Somehow I get the feeling that its just not the same.

The bra is the problem. The bra has to come off, so it’s either a shirt or topless. You’re husband will not be suspicious. He’ll be happy to see you doing something like that.

I dunno about that psyla. I’m 21 and not married, but if I walked in a room to find my wife/girlfriend on the phone and rubbing her tits, I’d want an explanation pretty darn quick. Then again, I don’t adjust when on the phone so hopefully I won’t run into that perdicament.

I’d put it on speakerphone so I could add absurd comments. I’d be sure that the next time it happens, I expect her to be using an Instant Messenger and a Webcam.

the longer I am on the phone the more I slouch, slip down into the chair etc. at a certain point things are being driven where they ought not be. So I reset.

You need tighter underwear. You are wearing underwear, aren’t you?

maybe it’s time to put the tighty whities to rest?

And do what? Talk on the phone when you’re not wearing underwear?

LOL not what I meant. Have him try boxers…& maybe sweatpants?

what’s wrong with not wearing underwear?Especially if you’re in the privacy of your own home? Is this a weird male issue because my husband would never be caught commando?? And, why can’t men adjust in the bathroom? It’s gross to see a random stranger fondling himself.

Sheesh, & men were giving us women crap for our hairballs in the shower.

I always excuse myself to go to the bathroom whether it be to readjust my genitals or to hack up a few hairballs.

if I had to go to the bathroom every time I needed adjusting I would NEVER get out! LOL. Is your husband a weird male? I know LOTS of commandos. @lunafemme: how much less gross is it to see someone you know fondling themselves? LOL

@banjo—much prefer watching known males fondle then unknown males. Yes, I’m sure that means something twisted deep down. But, I think permanent damage has been done to my psyche by watching strangers adjust themselves in front of me. I can almost equate this male behavior to watching someone pick their nose. Blick!! LOL

This thread is too funny! I just looked at SO. he is sitting at his computer and… er um.. typing one handed!! I asked him why he was doing that, and he asked me if this was a “fluther thing” Ha ha!!

@scamp Hey dude I agree with you 100% I laughed for a long time after reading @playthebanjo comments. Man that is so funny, but I must say it can be true for some guys. Every time I read a comment while on my pc, I tap my feet on the floor as if dancing. No matter what kind of underwear one always needs to adjust the balls and hairs

Back to telephone abrupt and uncontrollable movements.
We males or females have different ways of expressing ourselves. Males tend to be more visual and relate more to physical movements, while females are more into their feelings. As a male I tend to move my body more often than a female would not only when I talk on the phone, but also when I talk in public. Different males will use different parts of the body to demonstrate and express their feelings, some will change positions, or use other objects for doing so like pens.

@spendywatson Try to experiment with your husband and give him a pen without notice while he’s having a business call, and watch his body expressions change. He may now have another tool to express his interest in his conversation, or give him a ball, something that will keep his mind and hands occupied. We, males, can do different things at the same time in different realms, while females can do different things in the same realm. Let me illustrate, while a male is having a watching an important TV program, he needs to put all of his attention to it; he could do something else with his hands or standing up and exercising while listening and watching the TV. I don’t see females doing so.

You guys CRACK ME UP!!! Okay, so the underwear are not part of the picture. We’re all about comfort in my home. Almost never any underwear (of any sort) to be heard of on either of us. Doubt that has anything to do with it though. I guess I could try the pen trick. Maybe he’ll become a doodler? lol Then again, I rather enjoy teasing him about the adjustment habit he’s developed. He doesn’t even realize he’s doing it!!! :)

Many apologies for my delay in getting to this interesting question, but I had a rather lengthy, hard to deal with yet very exciting and extremely satisfying phone call to attend to….......

My wife is always fussing at me for adjusting, not just when on the phone.