Penny-Flicking: A Cheap but Annoying Thrill

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There I am, walking across the field after buying my lunch, and CLINK! I feel something bounce off my head and then fall into the grass. I don’t even need to think about what it was; I know it was a penny. I look up and see the line of culprits with pennies poised, ready to flick their spare change at the next victim.

I’ve noticed this practice lunch after lunch and wondered, why? Is this some sort of cheap thrill? Is there some spiritual satisfaction gained from watching money bounce off people? Is this a form of self-expression? A cry for help?

These are all strong possibilities, especially the last one, but the reason is more likely to be that some people cannot help being a nuisance. They do not consider that they could be bothering others. Yes, they do have the right to play with their pennies in any manner they choose, but consideration for others is important.

My suggestion? I say that we rope off a secluded section of the field for flicking coins. That way all those who want to flick and be flicked at can do so freely. Better yet, we can set aside time during the school day to flick pennies. Maybe we can even replace the jog-a-thon with a flick-a-thon and make flicking pennies an official team sport at St. Margaret’s. Then those who wish to flick will be satisfied and those who wish to abstain can do so instead of being forced to dodge pennies all day long.

Until these changes occur, I can only hope that those with a flicking fetish can maintain some self-control around others.