The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GOODBYE GESTURES

WHILE WORKING AS A TOURIST GUIDE FOR THE FORD MOTOR
COMPANY, I WAS ASSIGNED A GROUP OF ENGLISHMEN TO
ESCORT THROUGH THE ROUGE PLANT. WHEN LUNCH WAS
COMPLETED, I STOOD UP TO LEAVE THE TABLE AND SAY
GOODBYE. WHILE LEAVING, A NUMBER OF THE ENGLISHMEN
GESTURED BY CLENCHING THEIR FINGERS LIKE A FIST,
THUMB STRAIGHT UP. WITH THE HAND IN SUCH A FORM,
THEY WOULD MOVE THE ARM UP AND DOWN ABOUT 5 TO 6
INCHES IN ALL. ONE OF THEM TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS
A GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK SIGN ALL IN ONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): LEAVETAKING

Date learned: 00001963 SUMMER