The Shanghai Gesture
David B. Givens, director of the Center for Nonverbal StudiesAn anthropologist specialising in body language, David B. Givens understands the power of hand signals. Rather than
invent a new one, he’d prefer to reboot one from history. For 500 years, the Shanghai Gesture was used to express
displeasure about being coerced into something. (To be ‘Shanghaied’ means to be kidnapped and forced to work on a
ship.) “Though not often seen in modern times, it could be resurrected to relieve stress upon viewing disliked political
figures on Facebook or TV.” We live in a world dominated by electronic media, Givens says. “And we’re not able to respond
to images of politicians with whom we vehemently disagree.” The Shanghai Gesture lets you mock your tormentor, while
acknowledging the fact you can’t do anything to change the situation. Simply place your right thumb on your nose when
an unlikeable figure pops up on your feed, and stretch your pinky finger towards them, like galley slaves used to do
to their captors. A good candidate for Facebook’s next reaction emoji.