elbows

It’s certainly a vice of mine and probably of many others: The over use of elbows which I believe represents a lazy and ill-mannered attitude.

Leaning on the table, on a desk, whilst talking to friends...and shamefully whilst eating. It’s not that I am keen to present this lazy attitude, it’s just that, somehow it’s unnervingly …..comfortable? Anyway I’m aware, and I will continue hoping that my awareness overcomes my comfortableness.

Aside from these cons of elbow usage, I realised the importance of these joints of ours whilst venturing through a few countries, particularly in social situations.









a Riolisation

A naïve wanderer at the time, I recall being caught up in a post Brazilian Football party in 2007. It was team Flamengo’s and a joyous, proud and blaring fan bunch were celebrating their victory amidst an outdoor street party (or makeshift crowded party, I shall say) in the affluent Gávea residential neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cheery Flamengo chants emanated and were continually becoming heavier and heavier. Jumping around with glee, it was clear the ratio of men to women was by far miles higher. Being one of few girls in the crowds brought on an array of unwanted craved attention and hassle from the forward Brazilian boys. Infact, 'intrusive' springs to mind! Well, it was fairly funny at the time, but try teaming that with a boy who could not keep away for more than half the time we were there. This persistent boy clearly wasn't playing it very cool, as I believe it may have been a slight alcoholic intoxication that heightened his persistent manoeuvres. An older bunch of male onlookers had clocked on and noticed (how could you not?!) this unrequited attention, I looked at them helplessly but realised they wouldn’t dare speak up to protect for fear of interfering this homeboy’s chase. The only advice they offered me was, “Use your elbows. That’s what they’re there for…”. Uhmmm. Gee, thanks. Obrigada, guys....!? I obeyed. So out were my pointy joints and a whole load of fierce nudging was exerted. This tactic proved slightly helpful…How silly of me not to realise in my timid and naïve behaviour, sooner. As weak as this advice sounded to me at the time, it proved to be smart and wise advice in the long-term. That IS what they’re there for! Thanks for not physically helping you affluent, trendy and rowdy bunch of Carioca-football-supporters, your verbal advice would happily remind me of these 'lethal weapon/shield-helpful' part of the body in years to come…



do not jump the 'queue'/touch: elbows on the attack
From then on, elbows suddenly became more convenient in a number of situations or perhaps I had become aware of it, namely in “queues” or should I say in “bundled mass”. This was seemingly apparent in Vietnamese and Indian shores. I often find it a challenged and hilarious scenario when a local ignores all aims of a queue and jumps directly and blatantly in front of my 'polite' self whilst I’m in my civil western-minded queue thoughts. Why is this funny? I might hear you cry. Well, that is the opportunity for when I can use my assertive “I’m in the right” styled behviour and jump/squeeze back in front. Using the elbows had been helpful in so many situations; particularly at bus or train stations and their ticketing offices. A bit of elbow pushin’ and shovin’ did the trick to help retain that special place in the everso ambiguous'queue', and what makes this friendly pushin' and shovin' easier is that no-one is offended! 'tis the norm over yonder. Gently pushing the elbows out with money in hand and to protect and defend one’s space. Fair is fair.

On par with Elbows on the attack, I recall other scenarios in India where a handful of crafty, perverted and sly Indian men would try their best to "touch". It wasn't pleasant, no. Visiting the tailor so innocently, the tailor would hold the dress up against the body or with the tape measure in hand and 'accidentally' slide his hand in areas he shouldn't be sliding his hand on! "Ahem" - The most natural and initial reaction was, of course; ELBOWS! They were out, along with a sharp, "Chalo ya'hasay!" (Go away from me?). Elbows were vital in every case in India.


it takes two to tango: elbows in losing defence
On a flight from Hanoi to Saigon one day in 2011, I noticed the ubiquitous use of elbows and the sharpness they conveyed. On this domestic Jet Star flight, I was allocated a window seat next to a short and very slim country folk lady. Judging from our initial interaction, I didn’t think she’d be a very considerate journey buddy and for once and sadly, I was right! Thank God the flight was a short one, as her elbows had left me feeling a tad frustrated. Her posture was wide and confident and out were her elbows, spanning over my right arm rest and sharply digging into my helpless waist. It was of slight grief to me to be deprived of the comfort I'd expected. I couldn’t conclude whether it was because she was wanting more space, trying to invade mine, claiming her space, being inconsiderate, attacking me, trying to annoy me, if it was a country folk action, or generally just being her natural self in her natural posture? In my defensive mode and with the aim of wanting to retrieve my space back, I decided to mirror my elbows with her elbows. My jolts and pushes were attempting to send silent indirect messages of “Give me my space back!!” , or “What gives you the right to invade my already tight space?!” I tried and I tried and I eventually thought I’d won, but my worrrd, this defiant lady's elbows arrived back on the scene sharper and bonier as can be! As I tried to give up my 'attacking-elbowed' notion, I turned my head around hoping to send an eye contact message whilst simultaneously letting out a (I hate to say it..) 'tut' (tsk!) and a steamy sigh, but was faced with a jaded and careless moped head looking downwards underneath a floppy hat - elbows still widely stretched out lest we not forget. Pffff, I really did decide to surrender and accepted that I'd suffer the rest of the journey with those sharp blade-like nudges…


elbows in the everyday routine
London proposes less use of the elbows. However, I am not one to say I never use my elbows during rush hour on those Underground Tube lines where we are packed in like sardines. They have proved to be a little helpful. I'm sure I'm not the only one to act in this way. Sorry, carriage friends.



I know that this blog post is quite useless, but I really wanted to express a short-ish message across about how I've used my elbows in social travel situations. Or, perhaps I've nothing better to write about?!

Watch it! M'elbows are always at the ready ;)