When I opened the “Press Any Key” thread in GQ I was expecting it to be about which key you usually press when asked to do so, but it wasn’t.
So I’m going to ask that question.
When your computer requests you to “Press Any Key” which key do you usually press?
I’m suspecting “Space Bar” and “Enter/Return” will be popular choices. I usually go with one of those myself, as the space bar is almost always the biggest key on the keyboard and one of my fingers usually lingers over the “Enter/Return” key by default.
Generally, I press whichever key is closest to my hands at the time. If I’m typing, it’s ususally the space bar as I always have at least one thumb hovering over it. If I’m using a mouse when the command comes up, it’s usually the enter key on the numerical pad as it’s closest to the mouse pad. If I’m on my laptop using the touch pad, it’s probably the space bar again, as it’s directly above the touch pad.
I have actually thought about it and determined that the space bar is the best choice, because if you accidentally press it twice, you aren’t going to mess up whatever the next instruction was going to ask you. So, it really is best, children, to select the neutral key on the keyboard.
But if I’m feeling bold and adventurous (like maybe right after I’ve decided to include the optional tabasco sauce in the recipe I just made), I’ll just on purpose whap the K key.