I Clap and I Wave Now . . .

I used to be one of those people who could not clap along when prompted to do so by someone with the authority to tell people to clap along. Who might these authoritative figures be and under what circumstances might they want us to join in? Well, Paul McCartney at a Paul McCartney concert or John Bon Jovi at a Bon Jovi concert would be two examples. You know the maneuver--proceed to the front of the stage, raise arms above head, thrust hands forward, and begin clapping AT the audience. I believe this is the universal symbol for CLAP. How I overcame my embarrassment I do not know. My Sister is constitutionally unable to join in the clapping frenzy. Sometimes when we are alone in the car and come to a stoplight and a song is playing which lends itself to clapping, I start clapping and entreat her to join in. She turns her head in embarrassment and looks out the window. She just can't do it.

Waving to strangers is something else she is hesitant to do, although she has admitted it is easier to do than join the clapping brigade. Just when might we wave at a stranger? Driving to work earlier this week, there was a woman dressed like the Statue of Liberty, but in green and not nearly as tall, standing on a corner and waving at people. (She was no doubt promoting something. For some reason I think it was pizza. Possibly New York Pizza, which would make some sense.) I waved back. On the Mark Twain or on the Disney steam train at Disneyland, I always wave to the folks who wave at those of us sailing or steaming along, and I repay the courtesy when I am on terra firma and they go by. And Santa Claus. I always wave at Santa Claus. Sometimes I even initiate the wave. But I don't ever initiate the clapping. It would be unseemly.