Professor Snickerspuds Reporting In
By Sean Miller Contributing writer

So I'm sitting here on the courthouse steps watching another day in Hayesville. People casually dressed, going about their business, some knowing that many enterprises have moved from Town Square to the 64 bypass.

So, I was wonderingt what happened to the "finger?" The driver's finger in the passing car. Sort of a "signal" with one finger. The index finger warmly raised above the steering wheel - that used to say "How's it going? What's new with you? We're all in it together here" and "take it easy" all with one gesture.

When I first moved here my fantasy-starved mind thought it might mean "The south will rise again!" (Of course people told me that this was outrageous and politically incorrect, but I can't control the thoughts that pop up.)

Nevertheless I was always touched, flattered and warmed by this waving/signalling/greeting activity lasting about a half second before you're left watching shrinking tail lights. It was great and it is great - but it is diminishing. Is it the influx of new people? It has usually been a guy thing. I never saw a woman do it. Perhaps from fear of being misconstrued or their refusal to play games. Maybe I just didn't see them. Years ago drivers would pass with an entire arm raised and an obvious index finger aimed right in your direction. Later on, it became hands on a steering wheel with maybe a knuckle ready to go up, if the other guy's goes up. Now I don't see it much at all except for right on my street. Is there embarrassment if they signal and you don't? Or vice-versa? Does this diminishing practice mean changing times? Changing attitudes, changing generations?

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