Put your hands up in the air like you just don't care

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I'm not a hands up in the air kind of girl.  Let's just get that clear.

Yet I keep being told that I should be putting my hands up.  I go to a Christian conference - come on everyone, if you're truly joyful, let's get those hands up in the air.  Let's show how happy we are.  I'm happy thanks - don't tell me how to show that I'm happy - that I'm joyful.  By implication apparently I'm not joyful because I like my arms hanging down.  I'm probably repressed or something, but I'm still happy. I'm also an introvert, a fairly private person who likes to contain her limbs within a certain distance of her torso.  

This morning I even get it at the gym.  It's 6:15 am and I am not properly awake and I'm being told to get my arms up in the air - YEAH, WHOOHOO - let's go - I want to see everyone with their arms in their air.  Apparently we're not just doing a cycle class at a ridiculously early time in the morning - we're actually in a nightclub.  But I don't go to nightclubs - I'm happy just going to the gym to do exercise.  Put the music on please and save me from the hand waving.

Hands up everyone - let's high 5 - YEAH...

Comments

Sandra said…
It's not just about being an introvert, it's about being an Anglican. Or even a Presbyterian.
I can't bring myself to do it either, I'm not quite sure why raising your hands shows you are being joyful.
February 8, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Karen said…
I'll join you guys in the hands down club. I grew up in the Uniting Church and have ended up in a Presbyterian church for lots of reasons, but I do remember feeling very uncomfortable in a couple of Uniting Churches I attended just before I changed over when the hands in the air (and even dancing....) started to happen during songs. (Also an introvert here).
February 11, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Sandra said…
but I'm not an introvert. I'm happy if it makes other people feel joyful but it isn't a necessary component of joyfulness for me. If it is a large group I get a big enough buzz out of the volume and being with all those other people who are enjoying singing the same song.
February 11, 2011 at 9:14 PM
Anonymous said…
I did lots of screaming and waving my arms in the air on cue this afternoon at the gym - and I thought about this post every time! :)

Tamie
February 13, 2011 at 9:12 PM
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