Is Using the Middle Finger as a Pointer Socially Acceptable?

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The discussion centers on the use of the middle finger as a pointing gesture, which some find inappropriate due to its association with offensive meanings in Western cultures. Participants note that this gesture can be common in certain regions, such as the Middle East, where it does not carry the same connotation. There is debate over the practicality of using the middle finger for pointing compared to the index finger, with many agreeing that the index finger is more suitable due to its dexterity and sensitivity. Cultural differences in gesture interpretation are highlighted, including variations in meanings for gestures like thumbs-up and the "OK" sign across different countries. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural context when interpreting gestures.
  • #31
Cyrus said:
Did you grow up in the DC area?

No, I live in beautiful Washington State :smile:.
 
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  • #32
lisab said:
No, I live in beautiful Washington State :smile:.

Ugh, how dare you call yourself a washingtonian!

You're a washingtonstateonian...
 
  • #33
Cyrus said:
Ugh, how dare you call yourself a washingtonian!

You're a washingtonstateonian...

Duh, the State always takes precedence over Districts. Lisab is a Washingtonian, and you are a Columbian.

...and I was pointing at you with my middle finger when I thought about it.
 
  • #34
DaveC426913 said:
Really? Not in my books it ain't. I find it actually rather difficult to point effectively with the middle finger, whereas it is quite natural to point with the ... well .. the pointing finger.

I agree. Even anatomically speaking, there's more independent extensor muscles of the index finger than middle finger. It doesn't even feel right to try pointing with that finger. I wonder if the people doing it started it as a kid to "get away" with giving people the finger, and it formed into a habit they no longer realize they're doing?
 
  • #35
jobyts said:
It says showing a thumbs-up sign in Iran is equivalent to the middle finger in the western countries :)

obamaleadersPA_450x300.jpg


...US President Barack Obama, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev joked before the meeting and gave cameras the thumbs up...
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Obamas_thumbs_up_to_G20_summit&in_article_id=607245&in_page_id=34

Whoops! ...or was it? My new buddy, Dmitry?
 
  • #36
Moonbear said:
I agree. Even anatomically speaking, there's more independent extensor muscles of the index finger than middle finger. It doesn't even feel right to try pointing with that finger. I wonder if the people doing it started it as a kid to "get away" with giving people the finger, and it formed into a habit they no longer realize they're doing?

I always use my middle finger to navigate (or type, as I'm doing now) on my iPod touch. You can make the other case, I didn't grow up with people pointing the finger at me, so the offensive reaction is not the first emotion that comes to mind.
 
  • #37
Monique said:
I didn't grow up with people pointing the finger at me, so the offensive reaction is not the first emotion that comes to mind.

Neither did I, but anyone raised in the US knows the symbolism. Also, as I said earlier, it's not a matter of taking offense as it is conspicuous - more akin to picking your nose.
 
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  • #38
Monique said:
I always use my middle finger to navigate (or type, as I'm doing now) on my iPod touch.

In those cases, you likely are keeping your finger slightly bent, not extending it fully, and that makes perfect sense...it is easier to get the other fingers out of the way (extended) while using the middle finger to type or do other sort of button-pushing things. Pointing with that finger would be the opposite, extending it further than the other fingers, not flexing it further than the other fingers.
 
  • #39
Moonbear said:
In those cases, you likely are keeping your finger slightly bent, not extending it fully, and that makes perfect sense...it is easier to get the other fingers out of the way (extended) while using the middle finger to type or do other sort of button-pushing things. Pointing with that finger would be the opposite, extending it further than the other fingers, not flexing it further than the other fingers.
I think the index finger is particularly well-adapted to pointing and poking because:
- it is the most independently flexible (try extrending your middle fully while balling the other tightly)
- it is the most sensitive and the most dextrous
- it is on an "edge" of the hand i.e. no need to move the thumb away from it in order to have it stand on its own

I think this more than outweighs any length advantage the middle has.
 
  • #40
DaveC426913 said:
I think the index finger is particularly well-adapted to pointing and poking because:
- it is the most independently flexible (try extrending your middle fully while balling the other tightly)
- it is the most sensitive and the most dextrous
- it is on an "edge" of the hand i.e. no need to move the thumb away from it in order to have it stand on its own

The pinky finger fits those criteria as well. Both the index finger and pinky finger have their own extra individual extensor muscles (the thumb does too), while the middle finger and ring finger just go along for the ride, with only extensor muscles that are shared with the other fingers.
 
  • #41
Moonbear said:
The pinky finger fits those criteria as well. Both the index finger and pinky finger have their own extra individual extensor muscles (the thumb does too), while the middle finger and ring finger just go along for the ride, with only extensor muscles that are shared with the other fingers.
Mostly, but the pinky isn't all that dextrous and not as sensitive.
 
  • #42
DaveC426913 said:
Mostly, but the pinky isn't all that dextrous and not as sensitive.

I don't know about sensitive. But in terms of dexterity, I would argue the pinky is more dexterous than the index finger. The pinky has a muscle that is the counterpart of the thumb muscle with allows opposition of thumb to pinky...that key movement that distinguishes humans from other primates. Ye olde opposable thumb is actually opposition of the thumb AND pinky.
 
  • #43
getimsdfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffage.dll.jpe


Indian Voters Show Middle Finger To The Vote

http://www.anorak.co.uk/politicians/208497.html
 
  • #44
rootX said:
getimsdfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffage.dll.jpe


Indian Voters Show Middle Finger To The Vote

http://www.anorak.co.uk/politicians/208497.html

I did the same thing in the last election.
 

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