Want to hear about a minor pet peeve of mine? Well, "pet peeve" is actually too strong. It's more "exasperated amusement" or something.
Let's backtrack a bit to last May, when Don and I took our "second honeymoon." It was a wonderful driving trip across many states, and we had a blast.
One of our stops, shortly after viewing the Glen Canyon Dam, was the famous Horseshoe Bend.
It was quite crowded at this vista, not unexpected for such a well-known landmark. As we were walking the paved pathway toward the edge of the cliff, I saw two people posing while sitting down, one arm around the other's waist and the opposite arm outflung toward the view. Behind them, a photographer captured the "spontaneous" moment. I juuuuust missed capturing this incident. (You can see the couple just getting up, with the photographer in the blue shirt.)
I certainly understand wanting to capture the beauty of the scenery – it's why Don and I were there, after all, along with hundreds of other tourists – but what is it about this pose of "spontaneous" outstretched arms that drives me nuts?
Doubtless this couple has some sort of travelogue or other social media account documenting their travels and adventures. Since that's more or less what I do on this blog, I'm hardly in a position to condemn their actions.
And ... yet ... that "arms outstretched" pose drives me nuts. It's so artificial.
In fact, it seems like it's one of the most popular poses among travel influencers.
But c'mon, let's be real. How many of you, when faced with a stunning vista, throw your arms out and pose? My first inclination, when we saw Horseshoe Bend or any of the other gorgeous scenery on our trip, was to gasp in appreciation and snap photos, NOT to throw out our arms are if we were getting ready to launch into "The Hills are Alive."
Still, as Don pointed out, the "hot pose" seems to depend on the decade. At one point, scrunched-up lips was the "it" pose.
Another time it was the "mouth wide open" pose.
Now it seems to be the "arms outstretched" pose. And, I have to admit, I've heard about influencers doing worse things when confronted with beautiful views, so I guess the "arms outstretched" pose is harmless in the grand scheme of things.
Still, it drives me nuts.
The outstretched arms is infinitely less annoying that the fish face or mouth open pose, so much less annoying that anyone would find it annoying. But, I am sure I have a pose I find annoying. Okay, bunny ears over someone's head in an important family picture makes me want to break fingers.
ReplyDeleteGuilty- I definitely naturally stretch my arms out and close my eyes, take in a deep breath, to take in the beauty of something. “I can’t believe this is real life and I’m really here” or some such thought runs through my head. I do it in my backyard occasionally. Now photographing it? I actually think i have been captured doing that.
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty too of reaching out my arms to embrace God's wondrous creation! It feels so good to physically express the desire to embrace where He placed us and appreciation for it. However, I've never done this except in private and never had a picture of me doing so either. But since I have done it, and am something of a recluse, I feel at least sometimes others who are not as private as I am may be experiencing the same thing, just less privately.
DeleteNow the phone is a whole different thing. Please give me back my landline. I hate, literally hate, that phones are expected to be glued to us every minute documenting our words, actions, and whereabouts for the rest of life on earth.
Yet to so many, the phone is normal. Age draws many lines.
About "The Sound Of Music" - when my daughter was little, we were driving along, when a mountain valley came into view.
ReplyDeleteFrom the back seat comes a little girl's voice singing
"The hills are aliiive".
As I scrolled down at the photos you provided I laughed harder and harder. We all need more laughter.
ReplyDeleteI believe that in part, this is a narcissistic boomer display that indicates that they are more important than the natural scenery. And, that they must be in every photo as well.
ReplyDeleteI associate this pose with yoga. Agreed, the "staged" photos seem so ... well... staged!
ReplyDeleteThe one I can't handle is when people in the front row of a group picture all stoop down as if gravity is suddenly greater in that row. It used to be, "Tall people in the back!" and we all just stood there like people in Earth's gravity.
ReplyDeleteHm-m-m ... Horseshoe Bend, ID isn't quite so dramatic looking. :)
ReplyDelete