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[the-human-handbook]

[the-human-handbook]

Clapping

Clappingis the repetitive action of slapping two parts of the body together. traditionally the hands (fig 1). Aclaprefers to the sound occurring as a result of two pieces of skin striking one another.

While human tradition dictates that hands are used for clapping, some individuals favour using the thighs, arms, or genitals to clap. Clapping may be performed on one's own or with others. The act of one individual clapping another's hand is known as ahigh five; it is traditionally initiated by an elder human to his or her pupil and is seen as a sign of mutual respect. To turn down another's high five is often referred to asleaving one hangingand is considered incredibly disrespectful. Similarly, humans may clap one another on the back or gluteus maximus ("ass") as a sign of affection or enthusiasm, but may also slap one another in the face or chest to show displeasure. This is known as "slapping" and is highly motivated by extreme emotions.

Figure 1- A computer-generated simulation of two hands clapping.

Clapping has two common purposes among humans: a) to show respect, admiration, or anticipation and b) as a percussion instrument. Humans will traditionally clap at the end of a performance to show appreciation. This is known as applause. They can also clap before the performance, such as before the speech of an authority figure, to show submission and excitement. Individuals may clap along to music or dance to aid in the maintenance of a rhythm. Some individuals applaud even when the subject of praise is not and likely will not ever be within earshot; these individuals are highly suspect and their psychological integrity may be questioned.

[the-human-handbook]

Shaving

Human hair is a protein structure which grows from filaments in the skin. All humans naturally possess some degree of hair. Though newborn humans are considered to be virtually hairless, as the individual ages, its hair becomes thicker and more plentiful. This leads many humans to participate in a ritual known as shaving. 

Shaving is the act of using flat piece of sharpened metal, called a razor (fig 1), to scrape the hair away from the skin. This leaves human skin appearing smooth and unblemished. However, as human hair grows very quickly, a human must participate in shaving regularly in order to maintain a clean-shaven appearance. Humans who do not participate in this ritual are often viewed as unprofessional, causing them to be seen unfavourably by their peers.

Figure 1- A "safety razor", named so for its popularity among infants.

Human males generally have thicker and greater amounts of hair than human females, particularly on areas such as the face, chest, and limbs. While only males traditionally shave their faces, it is common in some parts of the world for both sexes to remove hair from their underarms, legs, heads, forearms, genitals, chest, and abdomen. The state of losing hair from one's head is known as balding and may be achieved by shaving, specialized medications, or natural filament degradation.

As the act of shaving is considered to be extremely intimate, the ritual is taught by the subject's closest same-sex consort. For young human males, the practice of shaving one's face is traditionally taught by the individual's biological father. This is considered to be a significant part of the male's transition to adulthood; if the male fails to complete the task successfully, he must cover his face with a special cloth known as tissue as a symbol of his shame.