On Language - Thank-You Signals - NYTimes.com

On Language - Thank-You Signals - NYTimes.com

Thank You Signals
On Language
Thank-You Signals

By WILLIAM SAFIRE
Published: May 29, 2009
New York Times Magazine

Excerpts:

When articulation is impossible, gesticulation comes to the rescue.

For a driver unable to react to the courteous act of another driver in spoken words, why is there no universal hand sign for “thank you”? The global yearning for such a sign — expressive, but safe while driving — elicited 700 replies, providing a smorgasbord of semiotic feedback. Let the voting begin, with 10 candidates:

1. The A-O.K.
2. Thumbs-Up.
3. Hollywood-Indian How.
4. Namaste.
5. Tip of the Hat.
6. All-Digit Lefty Wiggle-Waggle.
7. Brow-Touch Salute and Hat-Doff Combo.
8. The Hawaiian Shaka.
9. Wheeltop Index-Finger Waggle.
10. The Wave.

Read full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/magazine/31wwln-safire-t.html

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This posting was made my Jim Jacobs, President & CEO of Jacobs Executive Advisors. Jim also serves as Leader of Jacobs Advisors' Insurance Practice.