Commonly understood as a greeting or celebratory compulsion, the high five is (probably*) a universally positive gesture.
* guess we'll find out.
It implies equality, even if only for a second. It inspires smiles, initiates silliness, and communicates admiration, appreciation and momentary respect. (Only occasionally does it irritate the most paranoid (or aristocratic) of individuals who fear the unification of hands will instigate the immediate contraction of a life threatening and/or disgusting disease.)
Mostly, recipients of the high five experience a friendly affirmation, regardless of who the initiator might be. It denotes a mutual acceptance, even between the strangest of strangers.
Less intimate than the hug, or French-style canoodling, the risk of awkward reactions among foreigners and prudes alike is comfortably reduced with the high five. A limp-limbed high fiver would undoubtedly trigger hilarity, whereas a feeble hand shake would imply nothing but insincerity and overall floppiness.
Generally, the high five is a more widely unquestionable form of salutation… or transient personal intrusion… And thus, potentially it could be symbolic of peace… (In a less drug induced, stereotypically dreadlocked, sukhasana-positioned sort of way.)
Not to be delivered willy-nilly, the high five is perhaps most appropriate when meeting another person for the first time. It is an action capable of speaking louder than the word. (This is particularly helpful when the word spoken means nothing to the recipient because they speak in another language, or do not speak at all.) It is energetic, enthusiastic, spirited.
A high five cannot be sent in the mail, or assumed down the telephone. It simply cannot be practised from any distance lengthier than the participants arm. Therefore, it is an act that must be completed within close proximity of another person. It is authentic, undeniable and real.
Claimed to be “invented” in the 1970’s by some American sportsman, (a variation of the pre-existing "low-five"), the high five has de-trended in recent years. Perhaps technology is hampering its style. Ironically, it will be through using the very same machinery that we can hope to resurrect the high five.
Whilst the high five cannot be given via the internet, it can most certainly be blogged about thereon. Anything can be blogged about. Clearly.
The intention is to partake in an inestimable number of these aforementioned physical exchanges (high fives) with the hands of people all over the world, wherever they’re from, wherever they are…
And inevitably, stories will unfold. Tales of the journey, of the people, of the hands… And through all virtual mediums – typed prose, video, tweets and unnecessarily filtered photographs, these will be relayed. With them, do what you will.
I am excited.
Lucy
* guess we'll find out.
It implies equality, even if only for a second. It inspires smiles, initiates silliness, and communicates admiration, appreciation and momentary respect. (Only occasionally does it irritate the most paranoid (or aristocratic) of individuals who fear the unification of hands will instigate the immediate contraction of a life threatening and/or disgusting disease.)
Mostly, recipients of the high five experience a friendly affirmation, regardless of who the initiator might be. It denotes a mutual acceptance, even between the strangest of strangers.
Less intimate than the hug, or French-style canoodling, the risk of awkward reactions among foreigners and prudes alike is comfortably reduced with the high five. A limp-limbed high fiver would undoubtedly trigger hilarity, whereas a feeble hand shake would imply nothing but insincerity and overall floppiness.
Generally, the high five is a more widely unquestionable form of salutation… or transient personal intrusion… And thus, potentially it could be symbolic of peace… (In a less drug induced, stereotypically dreadlocked, sukhasana-positioned sort of way.)
Not to be delivered willy-nilly, the high five is perhaps most appropriate when meeting another person for the first time. It is an action capable of speaking louder than the word. (This is particularly helpful when the word spoken means nothing to the recipient because they speak in another language, or do not speak at all.) It is energetic, enthusiastic, spirited.
A high five cannot be sent in the mail, or assumed down the telephone. It simply cannot be practised from any distance lengthier than the participants arm. Therefore, it is an act that must be completed within close proximity of another person. It is authentic, undeniable and real.
Claimed to be “invented” in the 1970’s by some American sportsman, (a variation of the pre-existing "low-five"), the high five has de-trended in recent years. Perhaps technology is hampering its style. Ironically, it will be through using the very same machinery that we can hope to resurrect the high five.
Whilst the high five cannot be given via the internet, it can most certainly be blogged about thereon. Anything can be blogged about. Clearly.
The intention is to partake in an inestimable number of these aforementioned physical exchanges (high fives) with the hands of people all over the world, wherever they’re from, wherever they are…
And inevitably, stories will unfold. Tales of the journey, of the people, of the hands… And through all virtual mediums – typed prose, video, tweets and unnecessarily filtered photographs, these will be relayed. With them, do what you will.
I am excited.
Lucy