An Ode to the Fist Bump

In our modern world lie many things try and divide us among socio-political lines, however little attention seems to be paid as to what can unite us in the present day. One of many tools available to us lies right in front of our eyes. We witness this social phenomena unfold on a daily basis bringing together those of differing ethnic, social, political and linguistic lines. I am, of course, referring to the fist bump.

Fist bumps are a common yet underexplored greeting in our modern world. They signal respect and camaraderie among the two participants. When one offers a fist bump to another, there is a tacit message of I accept you into my circle of those I value, a gesture that is validated when the recipient touches their fist to the offering parties’ knuckles. Fist bumps exist as a means of a cultural happy medium between the formal and often impersonal handshake on one end of the continuum and bear hugs on the opposite end; hugely warm but lacking all formality. In the middle we have the fist bump, which strikes a delicate balance in mankind’s everlasting struggle of warmth versus formality.

Much of the academic studies revolving around fist bumps hail the greeting for being safer than handshakes in terms of pathogen transmission. While this is certainly a benefit of the fist bump, that certainly cannot be all there is to mention. Sadly, little research has been done in terms of their relevance in our social constructs. Therefore, I call upon our nations top sociological minds to spend more time and research dollars to investigate the underappreciated greeting. Furthermore, a skilled social anthropologist can investigate the phenomenon with ease. With social anthropologists covering the phenomenon of fist bumps in groups of varying ages and other background factors, we can assemble a much larger body of knowledge regarding the societal benefits to the fist bump than what we currently have.. While this is anecdotal, I’ve witnessed fist bump exchanges take place among those of different backgrounds; both parties end the interaction another step closer towards mutual acceptance.

Of course, it is not enough for our ivy coated walls of academia to extoll the virtues of fist bumps, we must popularize them in order to reap the societal benefits. After all, much of the peer-reviewed academic papers go largely unnoticed by the general population. While concrete social walls may survive an endless barrage of punches, they inevitably fall to the fist bump.

In conclusion, fist bumps connect not only the knuckles of their participants for a brief moment, but emotionally connect their practitioners as well. To those who have mastered the art of the fist bump; the next time someone asks you why you are so good at navigating varying social circles you may proudly respond with “I come from a fist bump culture”.