Haka Aggression

Are you - YOU, specifically - able to distinguish between aggression and ritualistic threats of aggression?  Between a statement or action that has aggressive intent and one that is, well, fake talk (but well faked!).  Say 'Yes, I can distinguish between these' only if the ritualistic threat does not affect you beyond the surface - it is water off a duck's back, just passes you by, that sort of thing.

And, if you still say Yes, you are in a minority (to which I only occasionally belong, because I do get affected by ritualistic threats as much as by actual aggrrresion!)

There is a lot of ritualistic aggression around us: on the road, for instance.  Or a child might tell her sibling, "if you do this, I will hammer you," though she means nothing of the sort.  At work, "if you do not get this new lead to be our client, your job is in trouble."  Coldness in language and expression is another way that the human-baboon bares his teeth.  

Look for it.  (and, when talking to yourself - which I hope you do often - make a mental mockery of the whole exercise!  Otherwise, you end up stressed. Nothing more important than to be happy.) 

There is a insightful bit on ritualistic aggression in Behave, a great (but heavy) book by Robert Sapolsky, Professor of Biology and Neurology at Stanford:

...many primates have lower rates of aggression than of ritualized threats (such as displaying their canines).  Similarly, aggression in Siamese fighting fish is mostly ritualistic.

Then there is a great contemporary version of human ritualistic aggression, namely the haka ritual performed by rugby teams from New Zealand.  Just before the game starts, the Kiwis line up midfield and perform this neo_maori war dance, complete with rhythmic stamping, menacing gestures, guttural shouting and histrionically threatening facial expressions.  It is cool to see from afar on Youtube, while up close it typically appears to scare the bejesus out of the other team.

However, some opposing teams have come up with ritualistic responses straight out of the baboon playbook - getting in the haka-ers' faces and trying to stare them down.  Other teams come out with ritualistic responses that are pure human uniqueness - ignoring the haka-ers while nonchalantly warming up; using their smartphones to film the display, thereby emasculating it to something vaguely touristy in flavour; tepidly applauding afterward with great condescension

The last response is brilliant!  Do you think you can do this the next time you are confronted by a ritualistic threat of aggression?