When men tap their foot or shake/move their leg(s) rhythmically in public, is this masturbatory activity?

Question

I often notice men doing that, & it makes me angry and uncomfortable. Is it SEXUAL in nature when men do that, or am I mistaken? (It doesn't look like just a nervous tic!) Either way, it is unnerving & distracting, and an invasion of our privacy when we're on the subway & subjected to this unwanted display. If it IS like a bit of masturbation, it bothers me all the more! I don't want to assume the worst unless I know for sure what such behavior signifies. Please advise. Replies from women also - with their reactions to these intrusive public displays - will be welcome in addition to male input on the subject. I am very resentful when I am a captive audience in a space where a guy is shaking or moving his leg/legs or foot/feet urgently. There is a time & place for everything, & the subway car is not it!! Your own bedroom is more appropriate for such actions. Men should control themselves & act appropriately in public.

Answer 1

Grow up.

Answer 2

I don't think it is.

Though it doesn't sound like what I think will convince you otherwise.

Peoples nervous tics are usually just unconcious movements or sounds (clicking tongues, etc) - unlike masturbation, which is a concious decision.

I tend to tap out rhythms with my feet and hands on various surfaces - I'm a musician, and I've always got a song or beat in my head. I also enjoy hearing the tonal characteristics of different materials as they are tapped or hit.

I can understand if other peoples movements and stuff are annoying - especially if the guy is leering at you while doing it (in which case you might have a point), but I wouldn't make the assumption that all guys are making open displays of sexuality by their nervous movements (you might actually just be making them nervous - especially if you are attractive) - don't buy the macho crap, most guys are nervous wrecks when it comes to a beautiful woman being present.

Answer 3

Let me ask you this...how can someone masturbate by shaking their leg or foot nervously? I mean, really think about this for a minute. Compare the usual method of male masturbation to the one you are proposing is a method and see if you can figure out how shaking your leg or foot nervously will allow a male to achieve an orgasm. In fact, it might shock you to know that when someone is engaged in such a behaviour it usually indicates the exact opposite of sexual arousal. If this is true, I think you are probably too preoccupied with eroticism if you insist on viewing ordinary nervous habits as a sexual act. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Answer 4

It's not a sign of arousal, but rather, a sign that someone needs to relax -- and when next faced with this habit, you should also seek a way to relax, and not get so worked up about some imagined motivation/activity.

Is it an annoying habit? Yep. It also makes *me* tense, to be around people who do it. And, FYI, I know men *and women* who do this, although, admittedly, I know more women who accomplish/express the same thing by repeatedly moving/tapping their hands than by repeatedly moving/tapping their feet. But it's the same thing.

You mentioned the subway, so I'm guessing you may be in NYC. (Not that other cities don't have subways, but they don't usually call them that. So I'm guessing that either you are in NYC, or you are a native NYer. But, I digress...) To say that there's a lot of tension among NYers, particularly among NY men riding the subway and presumably on route to work, is like saying Alaska is chilly in Winter. (I'm a native NYer, and no, I'm not badmouthing the city or its inhabitants in any way.) My point is, in NY -- or in any metropolitan area -- it's not the least bit surprising that you see this rhythmic sign of tension happen "often."

Next time you see someone doing it, feel free to feel bad for them for being wound up so tight, and feel free to feel superior for being more relaxed in general (though clearly not relaxed about this subject). But don't get upset imagining some sexual undertones; they simply aren't there.

Answer 5

I don't think this is masturbatory activity at all, but a nervous response that some people have, including women. I think you're reading too much into this, and may want to get yourself examined.

Answer 6

Good grief. Unless they're actually rubbing their legs together and moaning or fondling themselves while tapping their foot, I seriously doubt this has anything to do with masturbation. It's more than likely nervous or pent-up energy.

Answer 7

i'm a women and I AM GUILTY OF THOSE INTRUSIVE PUBLIC DISPLAYS AND I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF OR ACT APPROPRIATELY IN PUBLIC...my boyfriend constantly tells me to stop because i'm shaking the table or something. I do not do it for pleasure! i do it out of habit. If i'm bored or if i have to sit still and i really don't want to.

he might be doing it because he is nervous to begin with and then he notices that you are staring with a disapproving look on your face and he doesn't know why so now you have made him more nervous...you are really bringing this upon yourself.

i also think you think that because you want them to be getting pleasure out of it. Why don't you notice women doing it, why only men?
how do you know if they are nervous or not..did you want them to have a simple nervous tic of the eye or a certain look on their face so you knew they were nervous.
if it is distracting, don't look at them. how are they invading your privacy? you are the one staring at them...
Where is a place and at what time do you suppose it is okay for me to bounce my leg around? What is your best convenience that I be bored or want to move around even though i can't?

Answer 8

LMFAO!!!
No, that's just a nervous tic. It has nothing to do with sexuality at ALL! You really need to chill. Intrusive? Resentful? Why are you so strongly affected by an action that's probably not even fully conscious!

Answer 9

I don't think it has any sexual connotations whatsoever. I really think it is a nervous/nerves thing.
Or maybe they are listening to their iPods and tapping to the music.

I think you're reading a little too much into this. I tap my feet too, and sometimes I don't even realize I am doing it.

Answer 10

I don't know, is his hand moving up and down when he's tapping his foot or leg? if not the it is probably nerves.

Answer 11

It's funny that you blame this action on men. Women are the ones that can achieve self-pleasure by shaking their leg, not men. For men it is a nervous habit or a sign of too much caffeine.