I've got the power . . .

  I love my dad.  I think he is great.  He has taught me so much and still does.  He enjoys teaching others.  It is so fun to see my kids come running up to me telling me that you can eat this or did you know that after they have spent some time with him.  He has a lot of fun doing that... too much I sometimes think but that is another story for another time ...  So when I recently had a discussion with a couple of friends who are in positions of  guidance to younger minds, he came to mind.  I listened to the legitimate frustrations expressed.  Now, I am a positive person and maybe not the most sophisticated but when I hear the stories told about these young (and not so young) adults, it really does make me want to get some signs made up. But it also reminds me of how I have watched my dad and others with glasses deal with some of these situations (not saying that I was ever on the receiving end either).  Maybe I just watched him more, but I would say my dad did it best.  Once I knew what to look for, I started to see it everywhere - the power of glasses. 
   Both of my folks wear glasses.  I guess I wasn't too surprised when I found out that I would have to get a pair.  Only once did I get called "4 eyes".  I remember just staring at the kid who did it.  I was shocked but I guess my face said something different because he kind of slinked off.  I didn't think too much of it until later that night when I was reviewing EVERYTHING I had done that day.  I played the scene over and over and realized that I had done something but didn't quite know what it was.
    So I put my new found sight to use and started observing others with glasses; in particular, my dad.  I noticed that those who wore glasses had a super power.  Add facial expressions and it is a powerful tool that could convey whole books of meaning in one gesture.  It saved time and words.  And it is this secret that I shared with my friends.  Very simple and if you think about it, you're going to have that "ahhh" moment.
   Allow me to illustrate . . .

    First, there is a reason why there is a stereotype of a teacher with glasses perched on the end of his/her nose.  In this position, you can look over the top of said glasses as if to get a closer look.  It also conveys disbelief to whomever you are looking at.  Frustration.  Annoyance.  The beauty is, you can't quite pin down the emotion so it just leaves whoever you are looking at unsettled.  It can force someone to slink away and think about whatever he/she just asked or did that upon further reflection, realize that he/she shouldn't have said or done for obvious reasons.  If said person, doesn't get it, well then, bless his or her heart.

    Pointing with your glasses is a good way to emphasize a point.  It is similar to pointing a finger without causing a defensive reaction to whomever you are talking.  You make points less hostile and more firm. Pointing a finger can ruffle the fur; pointing your glasses causes attention to be paid and sometimes, causes the tail to go between the legs.
   

 

   Pinching your nose, either with the glasses on the tip of your nose, top of your head or in hand conveys weariness with the situation.  It can convey that all possible situations have been considered and what is coming next while not ideal is the only possibility left.  Combine the pinch with either of the top two does also expresses frustration.  

    Just a few of the more overt examples of glasses as a secret weapon.  In all of these cases, the context will influence the connotation which in turn conveys what needs to be said in a much shorter time frame than it took to write this blog.