The presence of fingers on our hands has possibly been one of the greatest advantages conferred by evolution (or by God, or some other entity depending on your religious affiliation); the ability to grasp and manipulate objects has opened up an immense world of possibilities. Of course, with the good comes the bad, and also the quirky. We have found inventive ways of misusing our digit dexterity that range from being amusing to downright infuriating.
One such behaviour is that of finger tapping. Many people believe they possess an innate sense of rhythm, and attempt to bring out the inborn percussionist in them whenever the opportunity presents itself. Here is where people get really creative: no object or surface is out of bounds; no material or texture is a deterrent to producing a wide array of sounds (that made for a nice little couplet). Unfortunately for the people around, the experience may not prove to be music to their ears; the resultant cacophony could end up further aggravating already high stress levels, be it at the workplace or on the road. For there is no escape from the tappers who seem to have become a ubiquitous breed, mostly oblivious to the deleterious effects of their actions on the people in their immediate vicinity. Of course, this account is not to paint everyone with the same brush and discount any ‘potential’ talent among this ‘rarefied’ population; however, one could argue that it would be not be in the greater interest of society to choose the minuscule chance of a talent cropping up over the hardship people would have to endure!
Tapping is universal, not restricted to age, demographics, and gender, though men do seem to do it more often than women. Walls are a favourite target, providing ample surface area, and can be tapped against for their whole length when walked past. Normally cemented or plastered walls produce a faint but sharp noise, while false walls produce a dull, thudding sound that is louder. The hand is usually held close to the body and slightly low so it isn’t very conspicuous, though some boisterous individuals may not be so discreet, openly advertising their presence. As far as horizontal surfaces are concerned, desks are a clear winner. Wood produces a rich sound and provides good haptic feedback that makes it easy to vary the intensity of striking. In modern workplaces, some vertical surfaces may be carpeted, providing an alternate medium that could comfort otherwise sore fingers.
Being stuck in traffic also provides ample opportunities for practitioners to exercise their craft. The doors and sides of nearby vehicles are perfect to tap on for those riding two-wheelers, helping to while away the time until traffic starts moving again. Some people also like to give quick, repeated knocks on vehicles, ascertaining the build quality and material in an instant. Anyone riding pillion at this time could consider themselves lucky to receive expert advice on which vehicle they should or shouldn’t buy. The less fortunate people in cars who are unable to exhibit their skills settle for tapping on their dashboards.
How irritating is tapping? Can it be dismissed nonchalantly as a trivial issue, without disdain? Perhaps so, in most cases. Tolerance may be a virtue; however prolonged exposure could lead to a tipping point and the person doing it may need to be asked to stop. As with most such habits, it is always a good idea to nip it in the bud rather than ignore it as later on people may find it difficult to let go. And, there could be withdrawal symptoms as well!
Several studies have been undertaken to attempt to explain why people like to tap their fingers and feet, and have variously attributed the behaviour to anxiety, attention-deficit disorders, or boredom. However, there has been no definitive explanation as to why fingers are tapped in particular ways as described above. It does appear to mostly be a subconscious state of mind activity, helping to achieve a soothing effect, with the person unaware that they are involved in such an action. Therefore, the benefit of doubt could indeed be given to absolve tappers of any wrongdoing. Defensive proponents of tapping would argue that as long as no harm is caused, it should not be a matter of debate. But can they be a reliable judge of that when they are unlikely to fully comprehend what they are doing in the first place?! Looks like this is just one in a long list of human quirks that we have to endure, for its not going away any time soon!