Why do older people unknowingly point at things with their MIDDLE finger?

[SaltBoy]

My boss, one of those naive 50-somethings, kept on pointing at stuff on my monitor today with his middle finger. I HATE THAT -- it's as if he's subliminaly telling me to F-off, or something! (Hmmm... maybe he really IS trying)

After he left my office, I pointed at my monitor with my middle finger. Geez, it's uncomfortable compared to pointing with my index finger. On top of my boss, many of my college professors did it, too. WHY?!

 

[Brutuskend]

Maybe they have worn out their index finger and can no longer point with it?

 

[Electric Amish]

The same reason why some people are so sensitive about what finger a person points with.

amish

 

[Geekbabe]

He shoulda just held up three fingers and told you to read between the lines

 

[notfred]

Why do you care? It's just a finger. It's not like he's pointing with his dick.

 

[ElFenix]

they can't move the other ones any more due to arthritis.

 

[mpitts]

I think that he probably used to use his index finger, but he wore it out over the years of use and had to move to the next finger.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
The same reason why some people are so sensitive about what finger a person points with.

Heh... I guess I did come across a little whiny. I thought it was more funny than anything.

 

[Zenmervolt]

A lot of people were taught to use their middle finger for entering numerical data. The rationale was that when the data was entered via adding machines the additional strength of the middle finger was an asset. I'm guessing that using the middle finger was just something that was taught to them and now they're just accustomed to it.

ZV

 

[Nemesis77]

Are you sure they do it unknowingly? Maybe they ARE telling you to F-Off :Q!

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: notfred
Why do you care? It's just a finger. It's not like he's pointing with his dick.

Last time I tried that, I got with a sexual harrassment suit.
I was like "WTF? I was just pointing to the information she asked for. SHE was the one looking at my dong!"

 

[kassy]

Originally posted by: SaltBoy
My boss, one of those naive 50-somethings, kept on pointing at stuff on my monitor today with his middle finger. I HATE THAT -- it's as if he's subliminaly telling me to F-off, or something! (Hmmm... maybe he really IS trying)

After he left my office, I pointed at my monitor with my middle finger. Geez, it's uncomfortable compared to pointing with my index finger. On top of my boss, many of my college professors did it, too. WHY?!

Naive 50 something?s? As opposed to what, worldly and wise 15-25 year olds?

I always point with my middle finger; more often than not it?s because I really would like to 'flip the bird' at the person?

 

[phantom309]

My boss, one of those naive 50-somethings

Every 50-something in the US knows exactly what the middle finger means. Did you think your generation invented it?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
A lot of people were taught to use their middle finger for entering numerical data. The rationale was that when the data was entered via adding machines the additional strength of the middle finger was an asset. I'm guessing that using the middle finger was just something that was taught to them and now they're just accustomed to it.

ZV

That, not to mention the fact that it is the longest and most usefule extension of your arm

 

[kt]

I don't care what finger they point with.. just don't touch the monitor screen and grease it up. I hate it when people do it to my monitor screen.

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: kt
I don't care what finger they point with.. just don't touch the monitor screen and grease it up. I hate it when people do it to my monitor screen.

I agree,lol,nothing pisses me off more !

 

[Keego]

Originally posted by: kt
I don't care what finger they point with.. just don't touch the monitor screen and grease it up. I hate it when people do it to my monitor screen.

my boss does that :disgust:

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

Beats me, but it annoys me too. wtf, just point like a normal person!

 

[heartsurgeon]

Why do older people unknowingly point at things with their MIDDLE finger

to stupid to know he's telling you to f#ck off!!!!

hah hah hah!

 

[DeschutesCore]

Ask him, and he'll either tell you to piss off or he'll say he has arthritis. One theory I've heard on this is that the other fingers don't have as much muscle as the middle finger does, so they're harder to manipulate. He probably doesn't even realize he's doing it.

DC

 

[SOSTrooper]

If you line up all your fingers and move your entire hand and arm straight at the monitor, your middle finger would touch the screen first. I guess for older people, it saves them energy to reach 1cm less than they needed, and over time, it becomes a habit. My parents do that So I dont think the majority of the ppl do it to flip others off.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: kt
I don't care what finger they point with.. just don't touch the monitor screen and grease it up. I hate it when people do it to my monitor screen.

There was an engineer at the last place I worked who had a nice 20" monitor on a Sun workstation. Across the top of the monitor he had a huge sign saying, "NO TOUCHIE SCREEN!"

 

[weezergirl]

lol, my dad does that too and it majorly pisses me off. especially when he does it with other people. i'm like DAAAAD....don't do that. and he's like huh? he's an old asian guy heheh.

yes, it shouldn't bother me but for some reason it does. ughhghgh. i always try to do it myself and it feels so freaking uncomfortable. I DON'T GET IT EITHER! thanks for making this thread so i know i'm not alone

 

[dexvx]

Maybe because people dont care? Especially recent immigrants, they haven no idea what it means.

My history prof said it originated in England/Scots. To prevent the Scottish archers from accumulating, English troops supposedly cut off the middle finger (used to aim the arrow) off males. So people with middle fingers would wave their middle fingers at English soldiers in defiance. I cannot confirm if it is true or not, but it sounds like a plausible explanation.

 

[The Stigenator]

you know I was thinking of writing this topic the other day..

I have a tendency of pointing with my middle finger.. and I am not old.. like the other day I had my middle finger up while driving.. but actually it was on teh side of the steering wheel on the outside of the wheel and the rest of the fingers were holding the cross bar. Its not like I was doing delibrately it was accidently.

I have it harder for people who look out for ONLY that.. and nothing else.. come on.. its not something you got to actively look for.. unless someone does it to you in person in front of you dont mind it.