Fist Bump

When we were in Disney World last month, we had several meals in restaurants where the various Disney characters walked around and greeted the kids, signed autographs, and posed for pictures. It was all great, and the kids loved it almost as much as Cowgrit and our moms.

I even posed for a photo with Tigger: my one and only favorite of the characters. After the pose, with my arm around Tigger and his arm around me, Tigger held out his fist to me. I didn’t notice what he was doing at first, but when he pointed with his other hand, I realized his intention: a fist bump.

Caught up in the swirl of commotion that surrounds a Disney character in a crowded restaurant, I gave him the fist bump. But immediately afterward, I thought, Oh come on. A fist bump with Tigger?

That was my first and only fist bump, ever. I’ve never had anyone else throw up their fist for a bump, and I’ve never instigated the action. It has been so over hyped as a gesture that I even find it distasteful. Even stupid.

I had heard and seen reference to it through general cultural osmosis but it’s silly, and since I’m well beyond college age, I never expected to encounter it in person. Especially from Tigger. The silly and lovable critter with a head made of rubber and a tail made out of springs has become like a idiotic frat boy.

Bullgrit