BS: international rude signs, reprise

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Jul 02 - 03:49 PM

To quote from someone (?) "When it comes to love I need a slow hand"

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 11:27 PM

You can get those rear window display things that say 'stopping' or 'turning' so why not try reprogramming them? I'd be only too happy to have one that says 'there's no space ahead you moron, so stop trying to overtake me, there's nowhere to go' but I think that would be a bit awkward on the motorbike.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: Joe_F
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 07:42 PM

Surely, by now, programmable LED bumper stickers are a possibility?

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 07:31 PM

On the other hand, a slow handclap in an athletics competition is designed to spur the athlete on before a jump, throw, etc

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 07:29 PM

As far as I know, a slow handclap is a sign of ridicule in the States as well, but it may not be as common as elsewhere. But maybe its necessary to define "slow"...to me, it would be about one beat per second.

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 12:35 PM

I've often thought there's a need for a series of signs - possibly pieces of card with large lettering on them - to say things like "sorry", "after you", "get out of the ***** way" whilst driving. Trouble is, using them would cause more accidents than.....

A laser display aboard as in 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' perhaps?

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 12:31 PM

Didn't two fingers pointing upwards, back of the hand towards the target mean 'nah nah nee arrrh nah I've still got 'em' - meaning the two fingers with which I pull my bow string, during the battle of Hastings? Or summut like that!

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 12:25 PM

Two fingers together pointed at one's own temple in the manner of suicide-by-pistol, accompanied by a rueful smile, seems to be catching on to indicate apology.

Subject: RE: BS: international rude signs, reprise
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 11:57 AM

Yes indeed. Slow handclapping also has the particular function of indicating impatience, e.g. when a concert is late starting (I've seen it being done in Flanders, so it's not just an English-language area thing). But applause at classical concerts in France and Italy which evolves into rhythmic clapping indicates that the audience is calling for an encore.

Eric Clapton reportedly got the name "slowhand" from being repeatedly slow-handclapped when he broke guitar strings and spent "too long" fitting and tuning replacement strings.

I on the other hand am engaged in a fruitless search for polite gestures for use while driving. I'd like to be able to indicate "sorry", e.g. when I unintentionally flash my lights at the car in front instead of switching on the windscreen wipers, but oddly enough the need for such a gesture doesn't seem to be widely perceived.

Subject: international rude signs, reprise
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 11:48 AM

Couldn't find the recent thread about V signs, giving the finger etc, but here's another rude sign, kinda.

A slow handclap is a sign of respect (I understand) in the US, but a sign of contempt in Europe, where to be slow-handclapped off the stage is to have laid a true egg.