Buddhist prayer beads

[bryce1]

Hello/大家好,

I was watching a TV show today and noticed something very interesting. A businessman/boss/owner (not a monk.. at least I don't think) was holding and using Buddhist prayer beads at a garage (car repair shop) while talking to and trying to appease a disgruntled customer.

http://tv.sohu.com/2...349986175.shtml

25m10s

I thought that prayer beads were only used at one's house/a temple (and had only ever seen small ones that people used for personal use, like bracelets, etc), and was surprised to not only seeing this man (who looks like a businessman) use it, but use it while talking to someone at a car repair shop.

Would anyone know if it is common for Buddhists to use these in public/at work? (it is an odd question, but if you watch the video, you'll see what I mean) Do you think that this man is using the beads to calm himself down or just... to be mindful and 'zen' (perhaps that's a French expression). Have any of you seen or heard of someone using prayer beads in such a situation? I'm thinking that it might be normal since no one around him is acting like it is anything out of the ordinary. (it's perhaps a bit of a stress reliever?)

Thanks!

[Shelley]

When i lived in Canada, i lived in a mainly Greek, Italian, Armenian and others, neighbourhood. I often saw the men playing furiously with their prayer beads. They seemed to do it out of nerves, boredom and other reasons i don't know. There was the constant clicking of these beads in the resturants and outside in the gardens of the taverns.

I never knew why they did it, my mother told me it was to keep their hands busy, like women who knit all the time.

Never knew that Buddist used them, well you learn something new everyday

I will be interested if anyone else can come up with a reason.

[abcdefg]

Maybe these were really a Chinese version "worry beads" (like Shelley was talking about) and not Buddhist prayer beads. (No religious significance.) Must admit I have not seen them in use on the Mainland during my time here. But maybe others with broader experience have.

http://en.wikipedia....g/wiki/Kombolói

[liuzhou]

I've seen them on sale - not in Buddhist places but more commonly in what I would call trinket shops.

I have seen people use them, but not often.

[外国赤佬]

I always thought they were more like an ordinary accessory for men here (just like those red cords for women), just something to put on your wrist. Nobody here really uses them much for their original purpose.

[abcdefg]

The ones in the Original Poster's video were too big to wear around a wrist.