Why do men stroke/rub objects during a conversation?

[Anonymous]

for example, a man was stood talking to someone near me and he was rubbing the sides of his laptop.

[Truthatanycost]

The same reason a woman I was talking to was stroking the shaft of her pen up and down...

[CloudMassacre]

The tactile experience helps me focus on what they’re saying

[FilmGuy93]

It's just a behavioral tick; a nervous impulse.

[Jamie05rhs]

Because he probably wanted to rub your thighs but that wouldn't have been appropriate.

[NurseMel4]

Nervousness or boredom

[Anonymous]

Probably being nervous around you or even more then that, ARROUSED.

[BJP21]

Helps us think by touching or feeling.

[Degenerate]

Prolly nervous