Skip to content

Train Passengers Engaging in International Discourse: Utilizing Gestures and Physical Interaction

A Train Journey Mirrors Politics in a Condensed Form: Seat arrangement serves as a miniature portrayal of power struggles, strategic maneuvers, and the unwillingness to retreat, embodying the political arena.

Discussions of diplomatic nature on a train, involving conversations with hand gestures and use of...
Discussions of diplomatic nature on a train, involving conversations with hand gestures and use of elbows

Train Passengers Engaging in International Discourse: Utilizing Gestures and Physical Interaction

In an intriguing commentary, German author Hans Magnus Enzensberger drew a parallel between the strategic maneuvering for the armrest in a train compartment and the dynamic world of politics and football.

The armrest, a seemingly insignificant object, becomes a battleground for centimeters, with subtle pressure and tactical maneuvers akin to those seen on the football pitch. Just as quick and clever moves can lead to tactical brilliance in football, so too can they pave the way for success in politics.

In the political arena, waiting politely can often result in losing opportunities, much like losing the ball in football. Pushing through, however, can lead to future opportunities such as committee chairmanships or ministerial posts. The phrase "he who masters the elbow also gets the rest" encapsulates this concept perfectly.

The regional express train, with its armrests serving as a rehearsal stage for political power games, provides a fascinating insight into the strategies employed in the world of politics. Political careers have, on occasion, failed due to yielding the elbow too early, symbolising a loss not just of a physical space, but a piece of dignity and sovereignty.

Enzensberger's analysis of armrest diplomacy in trains and its correspondence with politics offers a fresh perspective on the competitive nature of both spheres. For those interested in delving deeper into this intriguing topic, Tobias Dambacher can be reached at 0711 66601 -155, t.dambacher@our website.

Read also: