Assignment 6-Eliot Smith

What is something small that gives you problems in your everyday life?
What is your opinion of AP classes?
Do you ever get intimidated by the size of the universe?

     I walk down the familiar upstairs green hall of Henry Clay, on my way to physics, thoughts clear, head high.  I gaze at the tired stream of students traveling in the opposite direction.  Suddenly, I pick out a friend of mine about ten feet away from me, I look at him, he looks at me, he displays a face of recognition, I do the same.  The distance between us lessens, from ten feet, to five, to three.  He extends his arm, I follow. The distance between us is now minimal, and a manual greeting is guaranteed.  Our palms meet, no turning back now.  I go for the traditional handshake, attempting to slide my thumb over the top of his hand, hoping he has the same intentions.

If only it were that easy.

     He tries for the more casual slap and grip, a newer method that isn't my preferred choice.  Our fingers clash in a catastrophe of failed grips, clamps and slides, and our contact is severed.  We don't look back at each other, but we both know what just occurred.  We are fully aware of the failed, demoralizing exchange.  My head drops low, his the same, and we keep walking to class.

   Incidents like the aforementioned add a hint of distress to my day just considerable enough to make me reflect on the awkward encounter hours after it's occurrence.  I guess that around 95% of the Henry Clay student body has had this exact same problem or any version of it.

     It is because of this that we need a universal handshake.  This would eliminate any stress caused by the indecision inspired by the choice of the multiple currently existing.  No longer would the students of Henry Clay hang their head on their way to class as a result of a failed greeting.  No longer would I reflect on one of these incidents late at night while trying to read my history textbook.  And, most of all, no longer would my hand experience the intense awkwardness of being shoved up against that of another student, ridding it of its innocence.