Forums > Social Chat > International Signal for Social Distress
Login/Join to ParticipateInsert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
I was talking with my friend over coffee the other week and he mentioned an international distress signal for social situations. I vaguely remember hearing about it before, and I was wondering if anyone else had heard of it.
Apparently, if you're talking to someone you don't want to - you cup your hand at the side of your neck, and lift it away from you neck in a flapping kind of motion (that is such a terrible way to describe it! but I have no idea how else to!). And the idea is, that someone who recognises the symbol, whether they know you or not, comes over and says something like "omg! i havent seen you in ages..." and they "save" you from talking to the person you didn't want to talk to.
Does anyone know what on earth I'm going on about?
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Nope...never heard of it before! Sounds interesting though
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
785 posts
Location: vineyards, Vienna, Austria
*gives rouge a strange look*
why are you talking to ppl that you dont want to talk to in the first place?
but we can have our own social distress signal.
when somebody starts talking to you and you really couldnt be bothered to talk back you just turn around and walk away. ill take that sign and walk over to you and give appropriate hugging and cuddling action.....
how about that?
"is optimism in austria just a lack of information?"
-Alfred Dorfer
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
have never heard of it... it also sounds like it may look kind of silly so if you were to do it, you've reallly got to help someone else in the room actually knows about or you'll just going to look like a prannet - although having said that, it might just drive said person away anyway
Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006
if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
In this situation I usually try to freak the other person out so they make excuses and leave. Try talking to them about racoon pasties or spinning and knitting jumpers out of your pets hair. It usually does the trick.
Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!
What you should do is drop down onto one side and proceed to propel yourself with your legs only! Whilst going, " Whoop, whoop, whoop"
This is the true International Sign of Distress!
Please feel free to test in public!
Cheers!
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
No, but it's BRILLIANT! Problem is what happens if your conversation partner knows the signal?
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
1,903 posts
Location: Behind the couch...
Geez Lightning... ofcourse they would have to stop themselves mid sentance and tell you that they haven't seen you in ages...
I can't hear you... I have a banana in my ear.
"You mean I'll have to use my brain?... but I use staff!!!" ~ ben-ja-men
veteran
1,260 posts
Location: Now in the land of Oz, Australia
all tho it could make for an awkard moment if they ask who your trying to be saved from/ relise its them/ or dont relise or ask anything and just keep on talking...
What if we think the jokes on them,
But really - the jokes on us....
and also... i wuv Rougie *snuz*
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
I've found it helps if you be boring, I mean, REALLY boring back to them.
I had an intimate knowledge of the evolution of the ATM prepared for such an event. It works.
There is a slight possibility that I am not actually right all of the time.
veteran
1,260 posts
Location: Now in the land of Oz, Australia
but the catch is that you cant be rude. otherwise you should just turnaround and walk away. if i see someone i dont like or want to talk to (before they see me. you gotta be one up on em) i just dont look at em. must-not-make-eye-contact! thats the key... anywhere but them... they cant see me... just keep on walking...
What if we think the jokes on them,
But really - the jokes on us....
and also... i wuv Rougie *snuz*
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Written by: Lightning?
No, but it's BRILLIANT! Problem is what happens if your conversation partner knows the signal?
I always wondered that myself!
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
hmmm.... i havent heard of that before... although Written by:
you cup your hand at the side of your neck, and lift it away from you neck in a flapping kind of motion
the way it probably works is that the person talking to you thinks you have some wierd twitch and you scare them away!
"Here kitty kitty...." - Schroedinger.
UnNatural Scientist - Currently working on a Breville-legged monkey
757 posts
Location: Bath Uni or Shrewsbury, UK
Written by:
I had an intimate knowledge of the evolution of the ATM prepared for such an event. It works.
Hahaha, I want to hear this.
No wait, I don't. I want to see this in action.
Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand and I can beat the world into submission.
508 posts
Location: manchester, uk
When trapped in a corner at a party by someone even more boring than me, I have three, equally effective and failsafe methods of escape.
I very slowly and deliberately start rubbing a part of my body, and looking at it. Doesn't HAVE to be genitals but that is VERY effective for a quick escape. Belly, leg, arm, practically anywhere will do.
or
I either end or start every sentence I say with "according to the opposition party leader in Poland....."
voila...no need for flappy arms and rescue parties.
ps. the third one is top secret and if I told you you would have to kill me.
It's smashing to be back x
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com