I was so happy to discover that the Friday Five still exists! This week's is all about gestures.


1. What are your thoughts on “air quotes?”

I hate air quotes. Once in a while I catch myself doing them, and I want to start crying. I knew a chick once who put air quotes around everything she said. I kid you not. Everything. Every time we were having a conversation, and it was her turn to speak, she would find a reason to do air quotes. I'm going to "Subway" to get a "six inch steak and cheese". Do you want me to "pick you up" anything? That's not even exaggerating.

2. If you are the sort to flip someone the bird, what were the circumstances surrounding your most recent flip? If you’re not that type, have you ever, ever used that gesture?

I flip the bird at my friends in sneaky ways like scratching my face or adjusting my glasses. In terms of genuine pissed-off bird flipping I'm not sure when the last time it happened. I know I've done it while driving. Such good manners.

3. What’s a gesture you’ve made up, or what’s a gesture made up by (and shared with) your friends or family?

My sister and I have a dance move where we put one arm straight out in front of us and "wind it up" with the other arm up by our ears. Does that count as a gesture? We make duck faces when we do it too which makes it that much better...gets the whole body involved. It's practically a workout.

4. Are there any gestures that have specific, unique meanings in your workplace?

I'm still new at work so I'm trying to maintain a professional and mature air as long as possible. I've been keeping the gestures pretty minimal. At my old job we had an inside joke that included mimicking fisting.

5. Have you ever received an anonymous gesture of kindness or affection?

Once I went to Tim Horton's drive-thru to get a tea and a bagel, feeling crappy and really sick. The guy in front of me paid for my order, which I thought was an incredibly kind gesture. I felt better all afternoon. Pay it forward, peeps!