The pulled up shirt phenomenon

I’ve meant to get around to mentioning this odd phenomenon a number of times but have kept forgetting. So here goes:

A lot of the local men who have manual labour jobs (or are just sitting around outside) do this weird thing with their shirts where they pull the lower half up over their belly. I find it hilarious odd. You’ll get these groups of guys (or individuals) working or sitting around with a shirt on but with their bellies sticking out. Obviously it’s done for cooling purposes but why not take the whole shirt off?!?

Amanda reckons it’s a form of modesty but I don’t get why it’s ok to pull your shirt up and show your (often fat) gut but taking it off completely would be offensive. I first thought it might have been an attempt to protect the shoulders from the sun. But no locals seem worried about getting burnt and with their darker skin it’s probably not as much of an issue for them as it is for us whities.

Has anyone seen this phenomenon elsewhere in the world or is it a uniquely Palauan thing?

UPDATE: in searching for an image to show you I came across an American in the Philippines talking about the same thing. So maybe Palau has imported the quirky fashion trend from there.