You're missing the point...
2 gestures I can't quite put my finger on.
Dearest owners of opposable thumbs:
Today we examine two finger gestures that baffle me.
#1 Why is the gesture for “me” pointing at your sternum in the United States, but pointing at your nose in Japan?
Are faces more important than hearts? What does it meant that “me” in the USA is the center of your whole body? I could spend a whole glass of wine on this.
#2 Where did the shame-finger gesture come from?
You know the one? where you point at someone and then use your other hand’s index finger to scrape down the pointing finger as if you’re peeling paint? Who thought of this gesture? where did it come from?
So of course I looked it up and found this source which was singularly unhelpful:
according to Desmond Morris (1994:94-5), the gesture (forefingers rub) means "shame," and is restricted to North America. The rubbing of the two forefingers is thought to symbolize friction. There's a related gesture (forefingers scrape) from Wales, Germany, and Austria, in which one finger "saws" across the pointed other one. The latter is considered an insult, again with the friction message coming though. The origin of both of these gestures is unknown. I mean, we all already know it means shame on you. We already know it is an insult. But WHY? Why only in North America? I can’t stop staring at Jeannie up there in that gif. Is this gesture something that translates into other languages? Anyone know ASL? oh! The internet does.
Nope. Not even close to the shame finger.
Well. That’s a mystery.
This week, I have been subsumed in government work: I had a genius moment and screened the amazing 1985 cult classic Brazil (Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin—it’s worth the $4 rental!) before helping Manchild get a visa for overseas study this January and going to the DMV for an official state ID. I’m also applying for an NEA arts rescue grant for the day job. I have been writing a lot but not sending out much creative work this week. LadyTeen had choir camp and there’s a lot of back to school stuff that is starting up. Plus I suddenly felt the need to go to the beach so I hopped a subway to Ocean Ave.
But I did get some publishing news: got a sneak peek at author’s proof of the Halloween anthology I told you about. It should be coming out in October. My story is super weird: it is about a cranky librarian and a possible wind demon. It’s nice to write new things and place them right away. I’m grateful to the editor, Angela Borda, for requesting the story! (I’m SUPER grateful to have reached a level where editors are sometimes requesting stories in general!)
And I did manage to publish another art-walk essay, this one was odd because of my severe reaction to the installation of what is sure to be a fantastic opportunity for local visual artists.
No further word on the villanelle getting published in the literary magazine. I’ll let you know when I know!
I’ll be reading a short story at a private fundraiser in the Wall Street area on September 11. You are all invited to attend. The fundraiser is thrown by the Society of Arts and Literature and it is a cocktail reception 7-10pm with jazz age music and readings acknowledging the resilience of Downtown. There will be an art auction (optional) and an open bar and appetizers. Early bird tickets are $50 (they benefit Pen Parentis) and can be purchased by Venmo (see image below) or with an RSVP you can discuss other payment options:
That’s it for this week. I leave you with this poser:
Shouldn’t we call egg parts “the whites and the yellows”?
Or “the yolk and the albumen.”
Why did we pick one color and one science term?
