The first time I saw Signs, I thought, “This I’ve GOT to see with Dad”. So last night, we went together. Lightspeeddad is one of those extremely jumpy people, and it was highly entertaining to watch him get tense, bite down his very last nail during the movie, and let out shouts at every surprise moment in the film.

When Lightspeeddad mows his lawn, the neighbor likes to sneak up on him and shout to make him jump. One time when I went over to visit unannounced, I let myself into the house only to find him vacuuming, his back to me. I didn’t want to make him jump, so I didn’t shout a Hello over the noise. I kept quiet until he turned off the machine, but he still didn’t become aware of me then. I wondered how to get his attention, knowing that even if I said “uh, Dad?” in the softest possible voice, I’d give him a heart attack. So I just stood there wondering what to do. Seconds later, he turned around, saw me there and jumped a foot in the air, letting out a huge yelp.

A teacher once told me this is a vestigial response linked to survival. We go into full adrenaline mode when we see something that isn’t supposed to be there, in order to deal with a potential predatory threat.

Thing is, it’s always so hilarious when it happens. I’m even laughing as I remember the vacuum incident. Has that ever happened to you? Why are some people more prone than others? And why is it so damn funny?