Is Using the Middle Finger as a Pointer Socially Acceptable?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the social acceptability of using the middle finger as a pointing gesture, particularly in different cultural contexts. Participants note that while the middle finger is widely recognized as an offensive gesture in Western countries, its use as a pointer is common in some Middle Eastern cultures without negative connotations. The conversation highlights the variability of gesture meanings across cultures, with examples such as the thumbs-up sign being offensive in Iran and the "OK" sign in Germany. Ultimately, the discussion concludes that context and cultural background significantly influence the interpretation of gestures.

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I notice from time to time that, rather than their index finger, some people use their middle finger as a pointer. Whenever I see this, I can't help but think "Doesn't that guy know that he is flipping the bird at everyone?".

I always wonder how anyone could not realize how this looks.

I notice it in old movies and TV programs as well. I tend to assume that the film predates the modern use of "the bird", but really I don't know when the bird came to be.
 
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Sometimes my professor does that to me...:cry:
 
A lot of people from the middle east point with their middle fingers.

I always wonder how anyone could not realize how this looks.

Probably because it doesn't really look bad. Unless your directly giving someone the finger, hardly anyone thinks: is that guy flipping me off?
 
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Cyrus said:
A lot of people from the middle east point with their middle fingers.



Probably because it doesn't really look bad. Unless your directly giving someone the finger, hardly anyone thinks: is that guy flipping me off?

It jumps off the page for me every time. I don't think it is subject to false interpretations, but it is conspicuous.

Course some people from the ME probably notice people showing the bottom of their feet or shoes.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_(gesture )

talks about the origin of meaning of middle finger. It has bad meaning only in western countries.

It says showing a thumbs-up sign in Iran is equivalent to the middle finger in the western countries :)
 
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Thumbs up also USED to be a rude gesture in Australia (not anymore).
Also, the "OK" sign is (thumb-index finger) is still considered to be a very rude gesture in Germany.
The meaning of gestures can vary quite a lot between countries/areas, not only between cultures.
 
28947398_6ee999f975.jpg


I see you germany!
 
Ivan Seeking said:
I notice from time to time that, rather than their index finger, some people use their middle finger as a pointer. Whenever I see this, I can't help but think "Doesn't that guy know that he is flipping the bird at everyone?".
I'm not sure I've seen someone point this way. Are we talking palm up or palm down?

If palm up it would look rude (though I can't imagine how one might point at something this way, unless they were directing your attention to something on the building overhead or under the chassis of their car), if palm down that would be a weird way of pointing.
 
DaveC426913 said:
I'm not sure I've seen someone point this way. Are we talking palm up or palm down?

If palm up it would look rude (though I can't imagine how one might point at something this way, unless they were directing your attention to something on the building overhead or under the chassis of their car), if palm down that would be a weird way of pointing.
I've seen people do this, and it is palm down. Like Ivan, it is something that you just can't miss wondering (if it is a Westerner doing it) how they don't realize the significance.
 
  • #10
I got detention in middle school long long ago for doing that. Been very careful about how I point from then on.
 
  • #11
George_Bush_Middle_Finger.jpg


http://a.236.com/images/photo2/7053/thumbs/MIDDLEFINGAZZZZ_s1-274.jpg
 
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  • #12
My middle school math teacher used to do this.
 
  • #13
jobyts said:
It has bad meaning only in western countries.
Pretty much only in America, in the UK it's two fingers.
 
  • #14
mgb_phys said:
Pretty much only in America, in the UK it's two fingers.
Now this gesture I've seen. And I've always been sure that the two-fingered gesture is simply the more "polite" modification of the one-fingered gesture.
i.e. one-finger is to two-fingers as h*ll is to heck, and d*mn is to darn. But everyone knows what you're sayin'.
 
  • #15
DaveC426913 said:
And I've always been sure that the two-fingered gesture is simply the more "polite" modification of the one-fingered gesture.
I thought the one finger one was used by Americans because it's shorter and easier to spell:wink:
 
  • #16
Well, the middle finger is longer so it is easier to point with. Do they point with a fist and only the middle finger pointing out? That would look weird. If all the fingers are extended I think it is fine.
 
  • #17
Monique said:
Well, the middle finger is longer so it is easier to point with.
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.
 
  • #18
I saw someone use their tongue to point last week...I think I prefer the finger.
 
  • #19
WhoWee said:
I saw someone use their tongue to point last week...I think I prefer the finger.
As far as substitutes for pointing fingers goes, it could have been worse. Muuuch worse.
 
  • #20
DaveC426913 said:
Really? Not in my books it ain't. I find it actually rather difficult to point effectively with the middle finger...

Practice Makes Perfect... :)
 
  • #21
My dad always points on maps with his middle finger, for what reason I do not know.
 
  • #22
binzing said:
My dad always points on maps with his middle finger, for what reason I do not know.

Maybe he really hates maps.
 
  • #23
Is he pointing at Washington?
 
  • #24
WhoWee said:
Is he pointing at Washington?


I'm a washingtonian. Them's fighting words.
 
  • #25
lisab said:
Maybe he really hates maps.

Haha, I don't think so, with his road warrior and backpacker background.
 
  • #26
Cyrus said:
I'm a washingtonian. Them's fighting words.
Bah. What're you going to do? You've been squished by a colossal middle finger.
 
  • #27
Cyrus said:
I'm a washingtonian.

I'm a Washingtonian, too! But I'm the kind who gets a vote in congress :-p .
 
  • #28
lisab said:
I'm a Washingtonian, too! But I'm the kind who gets a vote in congress :-p .
Squished!
 
  • #29
lisab said:
I'm a Washingtonian, too! But I'm the kind who gets a vote in congress :-p .

Did you grow up in the DC area?
 
  • #30
DaveC426913 said:
Bah. What're you going to do? You've been squished by a colossal middle finger.

Ok, no bail outs for the wise guy.
 

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