Greetings
10 Mar, 2025
What are the fundamental nuances of a handshake, colloquially known as a "dap," and a fist bump? When are the proper situations to utilize each? What levels of social familiarity correspond to the distinctive usage of each long hailed multitool of quick, physical greeting? At a surface level, it makes sense to leverage the fist bump against casual aquaintances, while reserving the dap for those closest, treasured brethren. The fist bump is quick and simple, minimizing time spent both interacting and engaging in the shared sensations of touch. The closed fist offers a precise representation of the way one's soul feels with regards to these outsiders that are made to suffer the brunt of a quick knuckle touch. Meanwhile, those we treasure deep in our hearts are welcomed with open hands, clasping appendages together with mirth in an interchanging of body heat typically lasting anywhere around 2 to 5 seconds. Taking a closer look however, perhaps the roles should be reversed. The fist bump serves as a vehicle of quick acknowledgement; there remains no need for more among those we recognize almost as a shadow and as such have no plans on ever departing from. The outstretched hands of a dap call to mind images of groping around in the cold darkness, feeling around for new handholds of any sort, stopping at nothing to expand our precious and ever necessary frontier of knowledge in such a harsh world through new potential lifelong allies.