The pose that drives me nuts

Want to hear about a minor pet peeve of mine? Well, “pet peeve” is actually too strong. It’s more “exasperated amusement” or something.

Let’s backtrack a bit to last May, when Don and I took our “second honeymoon.” It was a wonderful driving trip across many states, and we had a blast.

One of our stops, shortly after viewing the Glen Canyon Dam, was the famous Horseshoe Bend.

It was quite crowded at this vista, not unexpected for such a well-known landmark. But as we were walking the paved pathway toward the edge of the cliff, I saw two people posing while sitting down, one arm around the other’s waist and the opposite arm outflung toward the view. Behind them, a photographer captured the “spontaneous” moment. I juuuuust missed capturing this incident. (You can see the couple just getting up, with the photographer in the blue shirt.)

I certainly understand wanting to capture the beauty of the scenery – it’s why Don and I were there, after all, along with hundreds of other tourists – but what is it about this pose of “spontaneous” outstretched arms that drives me nuts?

Doubtless this couple has some sort of travelogue or other social media account documenting their travels and adventures. Since that’s more or less what I do on this blog, I’m hardly in a position to condemn their actions.

And … yet … that “arms outstretched” pose drives me nuts. It’s so artificial.

In fact, it seems like it’s one of the most popular poses among travel influencers.

But c’mon, let’s be real. How many of you, when faced with a stunning vista, throw your arms out and pose? My first inclination, when we saw Horseshoe Bend or any of the other gorgeous scenery on our trip, was to gasp in appreciation and snap photos, NOT to throw out our arms are if we were getting ready to launch into “The Hills are Alive.”

Still, as Don pointed out, the “hot pose” seems to depend on the decade.  At one point, scrunched-up lips was the “it” pose.

Another time it was the “mouth wide open” pose.

Now it seems to be the “arms outstretched” pose. And, I have to admit, I’ve heard about influencers doing worse things when confronted with beautiful views, so I guess the “arms outstretched” pose is harmless in the grand scheme of things.

Still, it drives me nuts.

Source: http://www.rural-revolution.com/2024/12/the-pose-that-drives-me-nuts.html