I do it. I think it sort of gives me a sense of comfort. But it seems to run in the family - on my father's side. My dad shakes his leg. As do my brother and yours truly. My paternal grandfather is a leg-shaking champion. I can't say for sure, as he is dead, but I'm pretty sure my paternal grandfather's father would out-leg-shake us all combined.
And then, on my mother's side, nobody I can think of does it. My mother hates leg-shaking. I try to be decent about it when she's in the room. Fortunately, my wife - who doesn't approve of legshaking, and seldom shakes a leg - doesn't really give me grief about it. Guess she's written me off as a leg-shaker, and accepted it as one of "those" things.
I never smoked and still doing that sometimes. Think it's just a habit and it has nothing to do with engeneers. My dad does it too, but isn't an engeneer.
It's a habit some people have. When I'm really trying to get a lot of programming down I am trying to shut out distractions so I can focus on what I'm doing. For me this means having everything just so, my monitors a certain way, programs laid on it a certain way, headphones on, music loud, some sort of snack and drink right next to me. Anything that seems off bothers me and I'm sure I do some weird things physically while I'm programming, likely move around to the music I'm listening to, but I don't really think about it. Thats just what I do when I'm trying to shut everything out. People who shake their leg likely aren't thinking about it, it just happens.
Engineers usually drink a lot of coffee / tea, thus are hyperactive lots of the time. A lot of them are nervous, have a tick, find it relaxing. Sitting in the same position for hours on end also does not help.
Whaat? I had a stint in college studying Mechanical Engineering. You have to basically chain yourself to a desk and become an actual recluse-hermit mutant creature if you want to get through.
I'd say that's pretty 'special' - in a certain context.
I think it's a combination of factors, one of which might be that the lymphatic system requires motion to cause it to flow (it has no "pump"). So "fidgeting" feels good.
I find that the first option mixed with an extreme amount of self deprecation is like taking a riding crop to the part of my brain that works really well. Unlike the rest which is a procrastitative mess.
Brilliant! How do you guys always manage to find the relevant ones? There's hundreds of them, and I tried a few google searches using site:xkcd.com and some related terms and couldn't pull up this one.
Either way you must have made a name for yourself in your circle and more. I envy you for the 'snapping' prowess. However, as far as spitting goes I might qualify to be a master spiter(please read as in sniper).
By the way, just high initial thrust and precision are not enough you have to got to use the ammo in the right amount w.r.t. distance and all. Not to mention you have to mind wind conditions, otherwise the drop might land at someone standing/sitting/moving near by.
" Not to mention you have to mind wind conditions..."
I can calculate the vector angle, wind considered, to almost 0.99% accuracy. Zero dot nine nine, my friend. While driving on the freeway.
"...otherwise the drop might land at someone standing/sitting/moving near by."
But then there's no reason to spit in the first place, is there?
>It is just me or is it that when engineers are programming and sitting behind a desk, they constantly shake their legs??
It's just you. I've worked in several teams and maybe one in five does that. So no "engineers" as in "the majority of them".
Occasionally of course (once an hour or a couple of hours), all do it and SHOULD do it. For the same reasons you are told to do it in an airplane. Thrombosis et all.
Any pen that's going, really, other than if they're metal (impossible to chew) or seemingly poisonous (e.g. dry markers). No real preference, although I tend to regret chewing biros as they shatter into pieces easily.
Venous and/or lymphatic systems use muscular contraction and movement for fluidity. It is specially important to counter gravity. The "need to move your lower extremities" is a natural instinct.
So it's not "an engineers thing". I'd say it's not even a "humans thing". Try "animals" (with lower extremities and veins and/or lymphs).
I've made a google form to record every time my coworker sitting less than a meter away from me does something annoying (such as make "chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga" noises and whistle). I'm not proud of it but it keeps me sane.
For me it's not only shaking legs behind a desk. It's also walking in circles when talking on the phone. It's also doing something with my hands when I'm not at the computer (preferably with some item like pen or phone or anything what's nearby).
I consider it as a soft version of light ADHD, but I doubt it has anything to do with my profession. It might be the other way around - I chose a profession where I create new things because of that trait (which might also be connected to me being easily exited about new things).
59 comments
[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 106 ms ] threadI have a neighboring coworker who does, though, which can get annoying as it ends up making my monitor shake too.
I've noticed I'm more prone to nervously shake my legs (usually one at a time) when I'm being overly creative.
It's just a habit that people seem to have adopted lately – we see other people do it and pick it up because it's comforting.
And then, on my mother's side, nobody I can think of does it. My mother hates leg-shaking. I try to be decent about it when she's in the room. Fortunately, my wife - who doesn't approve of legshaking, and seldom shakes a leg - doesn't really give me grief about it. Guess she's written me off as a leg-shaker, and accepted it as one of "those" things.
Engineers are not some special creature.
At every tournament there would be people shaking their legs like crazy under their tables.
1) Constant muttering stream of expletives.
2) Unconsciously drumming along on my desk to whichever song I happen to be listening to while waiting for code to compile / servers to start / etc.
I don't think I actually do either very often, but I worry about it. ;)
(also, why is this on the front page?)
I was born capable of all three. I still wonder if I'm destined for Great things, or just a freak
By the way, just high initial thrust and precision are not enough you have to got to use the ammo in the right amount w.r.t. distance and all. Not to mention you have to mind wind conditions, otherwise the drop might land at someone standing/sitting/moving near by.
"...otherwise the drop might land at someone standing/sitting/moving near by." But then there's no reason to spit in the first place, is there?
It's just you. I've worked in several teams and maybe one in five does that. So no "engineers" as in "the majority of them".
Occasionally of course (once an hour or a couple of hours), all do it and SHOULD do it. For the same reasons you are told to do it in an airplane. Thrombosis et all.
Or maybe okay. I chewed few when I was in school. Was spanked without mercy and the spanking got rid me of the habit. Can't complain.
Q: Any favourite colours or flavours? Fountain or ball pen?
So it's not "an engineers thing". I'd say it's not even a "humans thing". Try "animals" (with lower extremities and veins and/or lymphs).
Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor or a vet.
Link if you're curious
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/gform?key=0Amo8gQTQJ0Nbd...
I consider it as a soft version of light ADHD, but I doubt it has anything to do with my profession. It might be the other way around - I chose a profession where I create new things because of that trait (which might also be connected to me being easily exited about new things).