These are not the droids you are looking for

Since this has happened now to us at least three or four times, we are finally beginning to be a little less clueless when it happens. We call it the “these are not the droids you’re looking for” moment, from Star Wars, as it includes softly spoken words, and a gentle movement of the hands.

The words spoken are usually something like: “it’s taken care of”. It is said quietly, but not in a whisper. The hand movement is always the same: the hands are palm side down, starting together in the middle, and then moving slowly apart. It’s as if something is being slowly covered up by the movement of the hands. Essentially, that is what is going on…something is being covered up, going away. 

It happened first with the Polizia lady (see the http://fourfirths.blogspot.com/2012/01/parking-while-english.html post).  We’re in the captain’s office, and the Polizia lady says “it’s taken care of” whilst moving her hands, palms down, apart.  Our 80 Euro parking ticket has gone away.

Then the Vodafone guy did it when we tried to top up our phones for 10 Euros.  He says “it’s taken care of”, softly, whilst moving his hands, palms down, apart.  Minutes later, our phone receives an SMS text message showing a 10 Euro credit.  No money was paid.

At Café Baglioni, Jason wants to buy a 50 cent Chuppa Pop, but only has a 5 Euro note to hand over.  The words are in Italian this time, but the hand movement is the same.  No money passes over for the Chuppa Pop.

It’s such a lovely, Italian moment.  It’s hard to imagine it ever happening in the U.S.

Obi-Wan, with a wave of the hand:  “These are not the droids you’re looking for”

Storm Trooper to Luke and Obe-Wan:  “Move along…move along"

Storm Trooper to his partner: "These are not the droids we’re looking for”


Ciao,
David