Before I get started, let me congratulate the Arkansas Razorbacks on their 38-3 clobbering of Ole Miss this weekend. The Hogs absolutely killed the Rebels. Wonder if Ole Miss fan and fellow blogger Philip saw the game. Hotty Toddy dude! Better luck next year!
Now, down to business. A few days ago, I posted a question – I wanted to know why Asians always make the sign below when they have their pictures taken.
Regular blog reader Carmel, who used to teach in Japan, responded. She too had noticed this behavior, and asked her students why they did it. They couldn’t really give a good answer – they thought it was “cool” and thought Americans did it too. She pointed me to this Wikipedia article about the V sign which claims that the craze was actually started by an American, figure skater Janet Lynn. In the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, Lynn stumbled on the ice, but continued to smile and her demeanor made her an instant celebrity in Japan. In interviews in the following days, Lynn (a peace activist) repeatedly flashed the sign. The Japanese began to imitate the gesture in photographs, and it later caught on among other Asians.
(Now, keep in mind, that’s what Wikipedia says, not necessarily the truth. I’m annoyed with Wiki for making me look bad over the “pen” thing yesterday. Wiki also used to claim that a tube top can have a single strap around the neck, which is absolutely, positively wrong, but they’ve since corrected it. Just because you read it on the Internet, doesn’t make it true.)
Carmel continues, “I don’t think Asians have much control over the urge to make that sign when being photographed. It really is deeply ingrained behavior.” She also said that she tended to make that sign when being photographed in Japan (she wanted to “do as the Romans do,” an expression the Japanese love). When she came back to the States, she had to work hard to break herself of the habit.
So there ya go. Now ya know.