What the hell is with the pointing thumb thingie?

[lil-petunia]

Is anyone else as irritated as I am about how Cheney, Edwards, Kerry and others point or gesture with a fist and a thumb?

If you want to point, point. If you want to gesture, gesture. This fist+thumb crap is pretty pathetic.

[redqueen]

1. Hmmm

I remember the Big Dog doing that. Don't know if he started it, but that's where I first remember seeing it a lot. Doesn't really bother me.

[Pirate Smile]

2. I believe speaking coaches tell them to do that. Why? I don't know.

I'm sure pointing directly would be seen as rude. It must be the most "acceptable" way to use your hands when you speak.

[lil-petunia]

4. well, certain euro cultures believe pointing with

a finger is rude, but using the open hand is not.

Pointing with finger is considered lecturing. Kinda like a Cheney.


For me, if they have fingers, they should use them. This fist stuff has to go.

[atommom]

3. It is annoying. I think it's supposed to convey masculinity and strength.

Some handler probably thought it would be a good idea. Personally, I don't need to see K or E making a fist unless they're going to use it... :D

[progdonkey]

5. I think PirateSmile's right

Pointing with your finger is, of course, seen as rude. An open-hand is not rude, but I think it's too easy for it to appear rough (like, this is how it's going to be done!).

The pointy-thumb gesture is supposed to be a compromise: just enough thumb protrudes to allow the speaker to "point" something out, but the hand is closed (but not in a tight fist) to avoid the roughness of the open-hand (check out Pat Buchanan speaking sometime...).

When I gesture, I usually use the two-finger pointing with the ring and pinkie lightly bent (but I'm sure a body-language specialist would find something threatening with that, too.)