Q&A for How to High Five

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Question

How do I respond to someone who doesn't want to high five me?

Community Answer

If the high fivee rejects your offer, move your hand down to your hip in the "down low" variation, and then say, "Too slow." This gives the appearance you are rejecting the person instead.

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Question

How to I recruit someone to practice my high fives?

Community Answer

Ask one of your closest buddies or a family member. These people will not judge you if your high fives need some work.

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Question

How long should I wait for someone to high five me before lowering my hand?

Community Answer

I'd say around 3-5 seconds. If you don't want to lower your hand, you can raise both hands above yourself and say, "Self-five!"

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Question

When going for the high five do we need to be standing in an upright position or can we be sitting down?

Community Answer

It generally doesn't matter what position you and your partner are in, you can be in either.

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Question

What should I do if they think I'm going to slap them?

Community Answer

Enthusiastically say "high five" and they should quickly realize your intention!

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Question

Why would someone need this article?

Community Answer

You never know; maybe someone has heard of a high five but doesn't know what one looks like.

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Question

How do I pronounce "whoopish," and do I need to say it every time a high-five is given?

Community Answer

Pronounce it like "puhshhhh" - and no, you do not need to say anything after a high-five.

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Question

When should I use a bro-fist over a high five?

Community Answer

The bro-fist is only popular in bro-circles. Among girls, only bro-chicks can use it. A bro-fist is more casual and charming. It's very good for acquiring bros.

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Question

Is it possible to high five two people at once?

Community Answer

Yes, if you use one hand for each high five.

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Question

Do I really have to smile?

Community Answer

It would be a good idea to do so. High fives are generally happy gestures, often associated with friendliness and victory. A frown, glare, or fierce expression may send mixed messages and create confusion.

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Question

How do I make contact when doing a high five?

Community Answer

You make contact when your hands meet between the two of you. Stay calm and be natural about it.

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Question

What do I do if I miss?

Poof

Community Answer

Try to laugh it off, or lower your hand to your waist and say, "too slow." This way, it seems like you were trying to miss.

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Question

What if someone initiates the "down low," but I am too slow?

Community Answer

Take it in stride as a good sport, with the reassurance that you will one day offer the down low to someone and be faster than them.

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Question

Is a high-five a good way to end a date?

Community Answer

Probably not, as giving a high-five after a date with someone could send them the message that you only think of them as a friend and not a potential romantic partner. Dates more commonly end with a hug or a kiss.

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Question

What do I do if half of my hand hits the other person's hand?

Community Answer

You can either ask them for a "do-over," or just pretend like nothing happened.

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Question

How do I high five people if they get scared and don't follow through with it?

Community Answer

Grab their arms and make sure their hands are straight and go through with the classic.

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Question

Should I high five someone to help them cope with the loss of someone dear to them?

Community Answer

No. A high five is not appropriate for that scenario. Try placing a hand on their back and telling them you're very sorry for their loss instead.

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Question

How much force is needed for a high five without it being too painful?

Anotheronebitesthesoil

Community Answer

It depends on the person. If you don’t know someone well or know they don’t take well to pain, don’t slap too hard. With good friends who are okay with it, you can slap harder. Be extra cautious with people who have hand injuries.

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Question

What do I do if I miss the hand when doing a high five?

Community Answer

If you miss the hand when high-fiving, then you try again. You'll get it the next time, or the next after that.

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Question

How can I high five if my partner doesn't have hands?

Community Answer

Don’t try. Instead, find a different form of celebratory movement. Try making a cheer, movement with other body parts or, a shared signal.

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Question

What if I don't have any friends to practice high fiving with?

Garfield Southgate

Community Answer

Put your left elbow at a 90-degree angle and look at your elbow as you high-five yourself with your right hand. (If you are left-handed, put your right elbow at a 90-degree angle instead.)

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Question

How can I practice high-fiving if I don't have any family members or friends?

Community Answer

High-five yourself, or buy a plush toy to high-five.

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Question

Which hand should I use?

Gravity_Cipher

Community Answer

You can use either hand to high five. There's no rule saying you have to use only one hand for high fiving.

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Question

What do you do if you have a prosthetic arm?

Gravity_Cipher

Community Answer

You can still high five with a prosthetic arm! Just don't use too much force.

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