I notice there are a lot more smiley nodders on TV lately.
They’re always there but so much more so when an election is on its way. They’re the people who stand behind a politician who is making a statement to the media and smile and nod.
For instance, if the leader of the party is releasing a policy you’ll usually find that the minister who has responsibility for the relevant department and the local member will be standing immediately behind with big grins. Sometimes they nod at the right time. They’re also the ones who will start to chuckle if the appointed spokesperson cracks at joke.
If you’ve never noticed them before watch the TV news tonight and see how many you can spot. It may add a little light releif to the whole election process. All sides of politics have them so you should be able to see a few.
Let me know your ‘smiley nodder’ tally over the next few days.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Smiley Nodders? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
We have those here in the states, too.
Although I noticed some video just yesterday where the person directly behind the one speaking was paying absolutely no attention to the speaker at all. Quite rude of him, but very hilarious nonetheless.
PS: Nice blog makeover, Rodney.
Thanks for the comments on the makeover Clint. I’ve been fiddling with ideas for a little while now. I think I’ve got it where I want it.
Funnily enough I heard a snippet of someone talking about this on the radion this morning 😛
This seems to be originally an American phenomenon, like most things nowadays. I first noticed it after Sept 11, 2001, but it may have been going on before then. Whenever Bush gave a major speech there would be a big crowd of people standing behind him as a backdrop smiling and nodding, generally also a politically correct mix of men and women, whites & blacks, latinos etc etc. It is starting to catch on here too, but fortunately not to the same extent.
Like the new blog look also!
I wonder if you actually have to listen to be a smiley nodder?
If not, I want that job!