SELFIES

Things were so much simpler when I was a kid. For example, there were only two kinds of smiles, the genuine and the fake “say cheese” one. Now, with the advent of cell-phone photography there is one more, the selfie smile. All teenagers today know how to do it. It’s become encoded in their genes. Say “selfie” and the teenagers throw themselves into instant poses and faked cheesy smiles. I’m still struck how well they do it. 

Another thing causes me wonderment and awe. A couple is in powerful embrace and about to kiss when one whips out the phone for a selfie. I had my first kiss when I was about 17. Our cruise ship had just docked, and we were disembarking. The most popular girl on board came over and to my surprise pecked me on the cheek. I literally never washed that side of my face for days. I can’t imagine asking her to hold off for a picture.