Holding a Large Problem in Their Hands

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 30: Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), speaks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on October 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. Senator Lieberman spoke about legislation he will soon introduce regarding cyber security. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

I see this gesture almost everyday from politicians. They are symbolically holding an issue or problem in their hands.

Here are a few more that were shown in the last week...



WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 29: U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner speaks during a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill October 29, 2009 in Washington, DC. The committee called U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner, Sheila Bair, chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and others before it to testify about plans for regulatory reform. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)



WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 26: Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) holds a news conference to announce the inclusion of the 'public option' in the Senate's version of the health care reform legislation October 26, 2009 in Washington, DC. Reid said that states would be able to opt out of the public option until 2014. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

My advice to those who use this gesture is, as you are talking about the issue, slowly bring your hands together, it will convey you have control over the issue, then clasp your hands together symbolically squishing the problem.◦

Holding a Large Problem in Their Hands