Ours is a time of troubles, and what could be a clearer indication than this: no one shakes hands these days!
Does no one else remember why shaking hands is important? It’s an indication that you’re unarmed – the hand with which you shake, anyway – aren’t about to strike him whose hand you’re shaking, and therefore that your intentions are peaceful. It might be the most important social gesture ever adopted.
In this connection, note that women prefer not to shake hands. They’re more inclined to hug one another and exchange cheek kisses. This is not an indication of peaceable inclinations. It’s a mutual examination, intended to detect any concealed weapons and search out the best points on the other gal’s body for a quick disabling strike. As preparation for an initiation of hostilities, it couldn’t be improved upon.
(Yes, all women are always ready to strike at any moment. Surely you already knew that...didn’t you?)
Thus, one of the great imperatives of our moment is the invention of a substitute for the handshake: a gesture that:
- Maintains “social distancing” guidelines;
- Demonstrates peaceful intentions;
- Is unlikely to result in infection.
And your Curmudgeon, ever alert for an opportunity to put his Certified Galactic Intellect to work for the Greater Good, has come up with one:
Visualize it: Smith, in preparing to go grocery shopping, first equips himself with his ritual spatula, as does Jones. They two encounter one another in some public place. Being males of our species, they recognize the importance of demonstrating their peaceable intentions to one another. So they draw their spatulas with appropriate ceremony, extend their arms full-length, and touch blades. Having thus indicated that they mean one another no harm, social harmony can be maintained.
A spatula is the ideal instrument for this ritual. It’s a suitable length, it’s easily toted about, and it’s no use in a fight. Kukris would convey the wrong message. Pipe wrenches are unwieldy and can be used to deliver lethal blows. Back-scratchers would suggest inclinations that...oh, never mind.
Accordingly, I intend to carry a spatula with me until the end of the current crisis. Possibly afterward, as well. After all, they’re useful for sanitarily scooping up small change found in parking lots, too. Just don’t tell the C.S.O.
I was thinking, in this day of concealed carry, you draw back your jacket.
ReplyDeleteI did that as I was entering a churches event and security was metal wanding.
The guy grinned and let me through.
The pistol was in my pocket.
The bow. There is a reason the Chinese do that. Also, oriental societies are far less touchy-feely than western societies.
ReplyDeleteIt just occurred to me after reading Paul's reference to bowing that I often salute people I approach or walk by as a sign of respect or friendship.
ReplyDeleteI was only in for four years and that was 50 years ago.
Did you get your spatula from SPATULA CITY? I hear they have the biggest selection.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I could see spatula duels being held. Slapping a person with a spatula could be the new insult.
ReplyDeleteWait. Spatula duels..... I'M FOR IT! SPATULAS ALL AROUND!
I only use hydrodynamic spatulas with port and starboard attachments and turbo drive.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qi_1kW5QFI&t=13
I love the idea of spatula's as I have lots of them. Big ones for the turkey, little ones for eggs but I'm more than willing to put two or three of these to good use in meeting up with another spatula minded person. Especially if it stops this incessant hugging of everyone. I was ok with a handshake but absolutely disliked being hugged by someone I just met or even someone I knew. Do not invade my space especially when your sweaty or haven't brushed. Just Yuck! Up with spatula's and down with hugging people who aren't family.
ReplyDelete