Summary

The article expresses frustration with excessive and unnatural hand gesturing in videos, which can be distracting and detrimental to the message being conveyed.

Abstract

The author of the article vents about a common pet peeve encountered while watching videos: the overuse of exaggerated hand gestures by hosts and guests, particularly among amateur video creators. This behavior is described as a constant, repetitive, and fake movement that detracts from the content of the video. The author emphasizes that while some hand gesturing is natural and can aid in communication, the over-the-top gesticulation observed is not only unnecessary but also makes it difficult for the audience to focus on the message. The article cites specific examples, including a NASA solar eclipse livestream, where the hosts' excessive hand movements became a source of distraction. The author advises video creators to seek guidance from trusted body language experts and practice restraint to avoid alienating their audience.

Opinions

The author finds overly dramatic hand gestures in videos to be highly irritating and a reason to stop watching.
Such gestures are seen as a attempt by amateur video creators to appear professional, but they often come across as forced and inauthentic.
The article suggests that natural gesturing is acceptable and even beneficial, but only when it is not overdone.

OMG! If You Are On Video, STOP Doing This!

It makes me want to turn you OFF!

I can’t stand it anymore. Like many people on the planet, I enjoy watching videos, but time and time again, I see amateur (professional wannabe) video hosts — and guests — doing one particular thing that sends me over the edge.

In fact, it’s so freakin’ annoying, it makes me want to turn it off within about 2 minutes.

There is an occasional pro who does it, but even fewer do it to the point of making me want to scream. Mostly, it’s the YouTubers or others on the “anyone can post a video” platforms and who think they’re professionals just because they’re making videos, or because they have large followings.

So what is the offending behaviour?

It’s the absolutely, over-the-top, outrageously ridiculous and unnecessary hand gesturing.

I understand that it’s important to have a little movement while you’re on video. It helps you look relaxed and natural. Gesturing can help you communicate your message or make points. We use it to indicate size, shape, direction etc. If you watch most people in off-camera conversations, you’ll see that some gesture more than others, but it always looks natural.

However, the constant, repetitive, exaggerated FAKE movements that I see people making with their hands look completely stupid. Hands waving and moving for no apparent reason, no particular point being made, having a casual conversation between interviewer and interviewee, and every time mouths are open, hands are flying.

WHY???

As I write this, I’ve got the NASA solar eclipse livestream on. There were two women talking on location in Kerrville, TX. I didn’t catch their names, except the co-host — or perhaps guest? — was “Gina.”

Before I continue, I can tell you I’m NOT talking about Megan Cruz, who seems to be hosting the whole shebang — and doing a great job of it, including using normal, natural gesturing. She’s a perfect example of what you should be doing, as is her guest/co-host (a NASA lunar specialist, I believe).

But these other two in Kerrville— oy vey! Noooooo!!! Make that three. They’re now joined by Dr. Nicola Fox, who is at least as bad as the others.

🤦🏻‍♀️

No matter what they were saying, they figured their hands needed to be moving.

At one point, the host mentioned that there were a lot of questions coming in. Co-host Gina said, “Let’s answer some,” and both hands flew up and out beside her shoulders.

Seriously??

If you make these kinds of constant, exaggerated movements on video, they’re so &£@$^£^&$ distracting, I can’t hear a thing you’re saying.

Sometimes, I’m able to move the video window or cover the video with other windows in such a way as to hide all or most of these ridiculous gestures (also a distracting an unpleasant way to have to watch a video, but it’s the lesser of two evils).

But there are some people who are so extreme about it, their hands are flying up near their faces and the only way to not see the damed things is to not watch the video at all.

So I don’t.

*Note! I realise that some cultures tend to do more of this than others. And that works well! The reason??? It’s natural. It doesn’t feel forced. It’s when it’s “put on” to try to look like a professional, it’s ridiculous! It feels fake. Because it IS!

If it’s natural, it’s fun and engaging. If it’s fake, it’s seriously painful to watch.

If you make a lot of videos, or if you have reason to be a guest, for Pete’s sake (or rather, for the sake of your audience — and your reputation), get some information from trusted body language experts and practice, practice, practice in front of a mirror!!!!

And when I say “trusted body language experts,” I don’t mean the popular YouTubers (or other platforms) who SAY they are experts or who have videos on this subject unless they have solid, highly-respected credentials behind them.

Because the last thing you need is to go from bad to worse. Or even from bad to different bad.

How ironic is this?? Here’s a “body language expert” whose hands are already going nuts as soon as he starts speaking after his intro blurb. Check it out beginning at 0:34. Do NOT do this:

He might be great at his body language info, but his video presentation skills are, um, let’s say, “lacking.”

Sharon Sayler, Author is one of the top body language experts in the world. She is exceptional at what she does. You can trust her. Check out her website here.

If you want to be taken seriously and not put off your audience, get some professional guidance on what to do — and what not to do — especially if your livelihood depends on it.

And for Pete’s sake (yeah, him again), if you just can’t stop your overactive hands, sit on them!