Irrational Communication: Joy
July 1st, 2009 - Uncategorized - 11 Comments »I’ve noticed that there are many unconventional and illogical ways that we communicate certain emotions. Here are some of the more ridiculous ways I’ve seen joy expressed in the past couple weeks:
High Five
Even though this is one of our most basic methods of communicating joy, I still don’t fully understand it. You want me to what? Slap you? But something good just happened. I don’t think – wait, you’re just going to hold it there until I do it, aren’t you? Note to self – never high five the huge guy who is really, really excited about his team. You won’t feel your hand for at least the next quarter.
Shout
When high fives don’t quite do the trick, there’s always the shout. The key here is to yell words that you’d be embarrassed to say at a normal volume. Wooooo and Owwww in a normal conversation over coffee would make everyone involved feel a little awkward, so they would make great candidates.
Fist Pump
When no one is around and vocal expression won’t do the trick, punch the air as hard as you can. Staring at your fist as you reel it back in will only enhance the situation.
Chest Bump
I think we started to run out of ideas sometime back in the late nineties. High-fiving, shouting, and pumping fists weren’t getting the job done, so someone decided that a full-frontal mid-air collision* would become the standard. If you ask me, the chest bump might be the sole reason our society is more subdued than it used to be. Expressing joy just got to be too much work.
Kobe Face
I have no words to express how I feel about this. He was happy here. The Lakers were winning.
What are some other ridiculous ways you’ve seen joy expressed?
*You haven’t lived until you’ve pulled the fake chest bump on someone. In an exciting situation, start jogging towards the person and give a quick tap to your chest to indicate a chest bump is coming. Act like you’re about to jump, and when you see the other person commit, duck out of the way so they flail chest-first through the air. While you’re at it, capture it on video.
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I don't know the technical name for it, but that crazy leg knee knock dance. What's that about?
Regarding the chest bump. Dudes would be arrested if they did this to chicks, so they settle for their buddies.
The butt slap. Male to male appreciation only. If someone has done an exceptionally good job. Slap him on the butt. The harder the slap the greater the honor.
I like the addition to the fist pump – as you are pulling your clenched fist downward you let out a long, sighing "yessssssssss", drawing out those s's as long as you possibly can.
I hate the screaming . . . and the hugging.
tears of joy? whats that about? crying is for girls and sad people, not happy dudes. you're embarrassing yourself buddy.
How about the corporate act of expressing joy…the raising of the roof.
Or the early 90's Arsenio Hall woofing whilst circling the side of your head with a closed fist…all in perfect rhythm of course.
The only thing more embarrassing than getting duped by the fake chest bump is getting caught expressing your utter satisfaction of something with a Tim-the-Toolman-Taylor grunt.
being on the move for 30+ hours has pushed me beyond delirium and i find myself expressing joy over little things by saying "yay!" and a quick triplet clap (kinda like the old schoolmarm summoning her students to order clap).
Guys win this one. Exhibit A: Endzones. The Dirty Bird was never. I repeat never. a good idea. Saw some Braves on the news last night pushing each other. I thought they were mad but they were pushing the guy for doing something good. You will never find me pushing my friend when I find the perfect sweater at Gap 50% off or doing a dance/moonwalk/jump-leaning over the counter letting the sales associate slap my back during BOGO at Payless.
Rioting. I never get that. Lakers win the NBA Championship, so people hit the streets to smash windows, overturn cars, and start fires at random. No better way to say "I love my team" than getting 10 guys together to flip an '85 Buick and burn out the interior.