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Finger counting: start with thumb or index finger? (Con Encuesta Incluida)

Which finger do you start with?

  • Thumb.

  • Index.

  • Some other finger. (weirdo)

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Arcadio

Arcadio

Diamond Member
When you need to count with your fingers (as part of your body language) do you start counting from your thumb, or from your index finger?

thumb = 1
index = 2
middle = 3
ring = 4
pinky = 5

or

index = 1
middle = 2
ring = 3
pinky = 4
thumb = 5

I've seen people count both ways, but I want to know which method is more prevalent.
 
Uh? Neither of the options in the OP are correct.

1 - Index
2 - Index, Middle
3 - Index, Middle, Thumb
4 - Index, Middle, Ring, Pinky
5 - All Five


number01.jpg

number02.jpg

number03.jpg

number04.jpg

number05.jpg
 
Last edited:
I seem to dimly remember from my youth when I was in the Navy in Europe they did it differently than we do. It was either start with the thumb or use the thumb as a "5" placeholder. Maybe some of the Euro posters can refresh my memory or correct me?
 
dank69 said:
When you want to convey one, what finger do you hold up? That is the finger that you start with.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I always use my index finger to start. Some people start with their thumb. I've never seen anyone use their pinky to mean "one".
 
Just wanted to add, the 3 americans tend to do (W shape) is different from the 3 they use in American Sign Language. It's the index, thumb and middle.

From Inglorious Basterds, it seems like it may be a trend in europe too?
 
Arcadio said:
That is just very inconvenient and weird.
Click to expand...

That is the ASL standard.

Also, have you tried counting with your thumb to your pinky? Your muscles don't work that way. Most people will find it very awkward to hold up all fingers except the pinky.
 
ah I thought you meant counting the grooves in each finger (so 1 finger = 4 count/1 hand = 20 count). In that case, i start with pinky. but where 1 finger = 1 count, i start with index and last count is thumb
 
Italians tend to start with their thumps.

Most northern Europeans, which most of descend from, start with their index finger.
 
Inglorious Bastards taught me that Europeans start with the thumb, and Americans start with the index. Then you get shot.
 
I thought you meant holding up your hand palm size up and using your index finger from your other hand to count on that hand. When I do that I touch my pinky on the left hand first as "one" and work back.
 
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