High Fivers...UNITE

Competition was a big part of my life growing up. Me, my brothers, and my cousins would engage in city league sports. It didn't really matter what sport, basketball, football, tennis, badminton. The intensity was always high and when we would score, it was the greatest feeling in the world. So, how would we celebrate these monumental athletic accomplishments? With the greatest expression of all time...the High Five. But what happened to my beloved expression of victory? When did it become uncool?

As far as I can tell, the High Five started to disappear around the mid 90's. Some would say because so many elaborate moves were added to the simple gesture, it became too complex and time consuming to perform and people began to express themselves in other ways. I believe the culprit of the demise to my beloved High Five was the fear of being "left hanging." For those of you who have never experienced being "left hanging," it can be a crushing blow to the social life of a 12-18 year old. People point and laugh, and you walk away dejected. I would implore you to shake off the fear of being "left hanging," and reclaim the High Five. In fact, use the High Five at inappropriate times. High Five a co-worker who slips on black ice, or when you use the facilities, or even when your boss yells at you for being late (the look of confusion is awesome). But really folks, is there really an inappropriate time to use the High Five.

In conclusion, the High Five is a comforting old friend. Don't give up on it because everyone else says he's not cool anymore. And don't forget the variations... Air Five, Jump Five, Low Five, The Top Gun (combo of the High Five followed by a Low Five), Slap Me Some Skin, The Group Five, and the High Ten followed by the chest bump!

Thanks for the vent session...