Gesture politics

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Now that we’ve acquired a reasonably decent vocabulary, and even (occasionally) remember to use the subjunctive, it’s time to turn our attention to The Gesture. Unless we become fluent in The Meaningful Gesture, our chances of being integrated into society here remain poor.

Everyone knows about The Gallic Shrug, accompanied by an insouciant ‘paouff!’, but there are others to consider. Shoulders hunched with hands held wide in despairing abandon means something like ‘Well, I don’t know the Government’s intentions, but then I doubt if it does either’. Give your wrist an energetic shake, whilst holding your elbow fairly rigid, and you might be saying ‘He’s a big strong lad, he is’, or ‘It’s far too expensive’. Or you could shake your head, shoulders and both hands equally vigorously, when you’re in basic agreement, but there are so many ifs and buts………. We’re mere beginners, and anyone who can give us lessons in this most demanding topic will be welcomed with enthusiastic bises on both cheeks.

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