I've always had to explain myself to senior colleagues at work and female friends when I chose to give them the pound. I have a feeling once Obama gives the fist bump to various European leaders and perhaps the Pope in the near future, that it'll be unnecessary for me to seek acceptance for the thug pound again. The embrace, the hand shake, so yesterday. It's all about the pound and President-elect Barack Obama knows it. Apparently this wasn't the first time he was photographed giving the pound.

Additional excellent photos at Boston.com's The Big Picture.