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Mexican waves: are these the best and worst ones ever?

The Mexican wave: it’s a gesture which, if undertaken with the compliance of your fellow fans, is an ode to oneness - it’s primal instinct at its best.

There’s no instance in civilised society when spasmodically flinging your arms in the air at the slightest provocation would be acceptable.

But in the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere of the stadium, to abstain is nothing short of treason. Worse than abstinence is a coup, as Theresa May well knows.

For the famous, a perfectly executed Mexican wave can be diplomatic gold-dust, but when a ripple backfires - especially one caught on camera and broadcast across social media - a bruised ego is left which no amount of back-patting can remedy.

Here we present some of the best and worst Mexican waves - with some valuable lessons to be learnt from each.

The 'give me a break, I've had a bad week' wave 

TM
TM

Whilst she failed to raise morale on the pitch, Theresa May's Mexican wave - described by one Twitter user as 'timed worse than the election' - has subsequently raised spirits across the country. Paris was the site of the casualty, specifically the Stade de France, where May was watching an England vs. France friendly with French President, Emmanuel Macron.

Within minutes, social media was awash with memes of the Prime Minister. We'll forgive May's robotic arm lift - it hasn't been her week, after all. 

The 'teamwork doesn't make the dream work' cheer

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Formula One honcho Ross Brawn and now retired racing driver, Michael Schumacher prove the age-old rule that Mexican waves cannot exist in a vacuum whilst offering up a cheer at the Grand Prix in 2012. History proves that large crowds provide optimum conditions and that waves should never be attempted unless at least three people are present. Further marks lost for waving simultaneously.

The 'lonesome loser' wave 

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Poor guy. “Yeah, you start it and we’ll all join in,” he was probably told by the snakes sat beside him. Is there anything more piteous than a solo Mexican wave? 

The 'why am I here? Please can I leave?' wrist-flick 

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Everyone knows a reticent waver. They’re the type who see themselves as superior to the swelling masses of rogue arms but contribute, with reluctance, by offering an aggressive flick of the wrist. For a textbook-perfect example, refer to Trump and Bill O’Reilly’s lazy gesticulations, delivered whilst at a New York Yankees game in 2012.

'The Boom!-erang' - when the ripple returns

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, where the above wave was executed during the 2015 rugby world cup, offers optimum conditions for a mighty wave. Over 70,000 drunken sports hooligans crammed into a dangerously crowded space make for a classic, breath-taking ripple with almost professionally executed peaks and troughs.  

One can only imagine the sense of elation and fulfillment felt by the wave instigator as it returned  for a second lap of the stadium - goosebumps raised.

The 'Mexican waves are too mainstream' reverse wave

Credit to Elbow for originality: a new take on an old classic. Gigs aren’t the usual habitats for Mexican waves but the classic stage/audience set up makes perfect sense. Led with conviction, participants are left in no doubt as to the direction of the wave and, under the watchful scrutiny of the stage-holder, any dissidents can be called to attention.