June 5, 2002
My sister likes to talk about some of Disney World's gaggingly inoffensive methods. Like this: Basically, since various finger configurations are offensive to various foreign cultures, Disney employees ("cast members" or some such bullshit) are required to point with their entire hand; all four fingers must be extended. I tend to laugh at this, since it's basically ridiculous -- "when in Rome" and all that.
Fast-forward to today. I walking to the mechanic's to pick up my car after having its oil changed and tires rotated. Some woman with a Russian/Eastern European accent asks me where Shadyside Hospital is. I point her towards Centre St. As I'm bringing my hand down, I notice that I'm pointing with all four fingers.
