{"id":11381,"date":"2011-11-28T02:11:45","date_gmt":"2011-11-28T02:11:45","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-10-15T11:01:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T11:01:50","slug":"the-etiquette-of-the-insult-slap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?p=11381","title":{"rendered":"The Etiquette of the Insult Slap"},"content":{"rendered":"

People following the news may have noticed an increase in the use of the insult slap, usually inflicted on politicians or on public figures who have made comments that some listeners found controversial. The slap has met with approval in many quarters. One self-professed follower of India\u2019s most famous pacifist, Mahatma Gandhi, even expressed surprise that outraged Indians are restricting themselves to \u201cjust one slap.\u201d But some Indians are distressed at the outbreak of slapping. The slap as insult has been with us for a very long time. Most people know that the appropriate response to such public shaming is to shame your attacker by offering up your other cheek. That seems to happen rarely but the slap is alive and well and in use today, not just in India.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Middle East too, the insult slap carries enormous symbolic weight, which is probably why the Central Intelligence Agency advocated its use during the interrogation of some terrorism suspects. Iran, meanwhile, has threatened Israel and the U.S. with \u201ca strong slap\u201d if either country launches military strikes to take out its nuclear program. The slap can also be a powerful, if accidental, force for change \u2014 some observers believe that a slap (and sexism) played a role in setting off Tunisia\u2019s Jasmine Revolution.<\/p>\n

But since people are wondering what distinguishes the political slap from plain old violence, we have enlisted everyone\u2019s favorite neighborhood behavioral expert* (with respect to the Agony Auntyji column in the now-defunct Outlook City Limits magazine) to take questions on slapping:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q. Whom can I slap?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aunty:<\/strong> To make political statement, you must (a)<\/strong> slap someone much more powerful than you (b)<\/strong> only slap on camera. In most cases if you slap someone who is not powerful behind closed doors, this is not a statement, but an assault. Please see Section 351 of the Indian Penal Code. However, you are more likely to face assault charges in the first case, as you are (a)<\/strong> slapping someone powerful and (b)<\/strong> doing it in front of everyone.<\/p>\n

Q. What is the correct form for political slapping?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aunty:<\/strong> Open right hand swoops gracefully through the air to make contact with the left cheek of your slapee. Remember you are making statement only, so it is not required to use force or slap repeatedly. Ladies who are facing unwanted attentions of men may like to try this variation: the flip-flop slap. This is traditional two-in-one slap handed down from ancient times that combines insult of hurling footwear with shock effect of slap. Please to remove slipper and smack your would-be Romeo on the head. Shout loudly while doing the same for added effect.<\/p>\n

Q. I am a tourist visiting India, and wish to embrace the culture on my trip. Should I take up slapping?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aunty:<\/strong> For tourists of all countries (except England), please refrain from slapping. You will get better results by distributing 50-rupee notes or calling hotel manager. If you are slapped, please report it to tourist police and lodge FIR. If you are tourist from England, say, \u201cI am sorry for the 200 years of colonialism. Please slap me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Q. My political party\u2019s symbol is an open hand \u2014 is it possible the aam admi thinks we are secretly in favor of slapping? Or asking to be slapped?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aunty:<\/strong> Is that you, Rahul?<\/p>\n

Q. Isn\u2019t all this slapping a sign our social order is breaking down? Shouldn\u2019t we be able to express disapproval without physical aggression?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aunty:<\/strong> Yes. You are very right.<\/p>\n

Q. Suppose, hypothetically speaking of course, I am a being with four arms (and hands) or even a thousand. Will a slap from each of my limbs count as \u2018just one slap\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aunty:<\/strong> You are mocking the Indian culture. I will slap you.<\/p>\n

If I suddenly slap you hard in public, it is in the name of etiquette and complies with one of the rules above!<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n

SOURCE<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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