What's With All The Hand-Waving?

[Bert45]

I get really annoyed with TV presenters who wave their hands about when they do a piece to camera. I'd like to know is it their natural way of talking or does some crazy director tell them to move their hands up and down in time with every syllable? Watch Piers Taylor on 'World's Most Extraordinary Homes' to see really bad (or good) example.

[Mamyalynne]

I think it's a personal trait not a direction as such.

Reminds me of a favourite phrase my Grandmother used - 'Untie my hands I cannot speak'.

Not sure where it originates from.

[Bert45]

There was a joke about an Italian chap who was accused of some crime. Only when he appeared in court did he give his alibi. When the judge asked why he had said nothing until the last minute, he explained, waving his hands about, "Well-a, until now, I had handcuffs on, innit?"

[Mamyalynne]

Like it.

[albaqwerty]

There was a 'sports presenter' on STV who couldn't keep her hands still.
Someone gave her a clipboard to hold to see if that would help.
It didn't....

[Cloverjo]

I think it's the kind of behaviour they're trained to do in front of a camera, so they don't look too stiff and awkward. Some presenters can make it look more natural than others. Some go a bit over the top.

[mazie]

I do it all the time. Drives my OH mad. I cant

[mazie]

Whoops, without using my hands :0(

[emmie]

not just hand waving but constantly nodding their heads, one day someone's will fall off.

[hellywelly4]

I have always thought they are trained to walk a few paces then fling their hands wide open. It really annoyed me at one time!

[Old_Geezer]

Gesticulation is natural.

[hc4361]

Maybe they all watched Magnus Pyke when growing up and thought that is the way it has to be done

[goodgoalie]

Worst I've seen is political reporter Norman Smith on the BBC - has me shouting at the screen!