How do you show "three" with your fingers?

[Thunderfoot]

Interesting, is there a cultural difference? I'm German, and I'm using the 'thumb +2' method. I was a bit surprised I'm in such a minority (considering the poll results).

Surprisingly, yes. Most Americans are taught "three" as the index, middle and ring fingers however, as far as I know, in Germany its the "thumb +2" method. Why, I have no idea. How does anything become a cultural "norm"?

As for the poll results, I'm sure that owes more to the number of American versus German users. Why do you use the "eszett/scharfes" (sri for the Anglicized bastardization of your language, I can't get my keyboard to play nice.) instead of two "S" in you written language? I'm sure there is an explanation somewhere, but as to why, it probably doesn't really matter.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

Why do you use the "eszett/scharfes" (sri for the Anglicized bastardization of your language, I can't get my keyboard to play nice.) instead of two "S" in you written language? I'm sure there is an explanation somewhere, but as to why, it probably doesn't really matter.

You mean the ß? Since the orthographic reform from some ten years ago we have a very good reason to use it: 'ß' means that the preceding vowel is a long one, while 'ss' signals a short vowel, while the actual sound of the diphthong is the same. That proper and place names are not changed just adds a tiny bit of confusion to the oh so simple German language.

 

[Aeolius]

While in China, I noticed that the pinky, ring, and middle were held like an American "okay" gesture, to mean three. When someone asks if you want coffee and from across a crowded room and you gesture "okay", you might end up with three coffees.

 

[Bullgrit]

As for the poll results, I'm sure that owes more to the number of American versus German users.

I'm so happy that no one is accusing me of trying to support an agenda with asking a poll question

I didn't think of the pinky-ring-middle option for "three" when I made the poll. Thinking about it, I have seen that gesture, but it is so rare that it doesn't come to mind until someone else mentions it.

I use the index-middle-ring option for "three." For me, this just seems a logical progression: I show "one" with the index finger, "two" adds the middle finger, "three" adds another finger in that same direction. It seems weird to show one and two with fingers and then flip to the other direction to show three.

I've never seen anyone show one with just the thumb, or two with the thumb and index. The thumb alone means "yes" or "ok" in America. The thumb and index is a gun.

I remember watching an old (70s) British Irish TV comedian who was missing half his index finger. Something Dave Allen? He was telling a joke about two men, and he held up his hand to show "two" with his index finger and middle finger. But with his index finger missing above the main joint, it looked like he was giving us all "the finger". It was part of his joke, and the audience laughed hard.

Bullgrit

 

[Aeolius]

I remember watching an old (70s) British TV comedian who was missing half his index finger.

Dave Allen at Large

 

[Pbartender]

For me, this just seems a logical progression: I show "one" with the index finger, "two" adds the middle finger, "three" adds another finger in that same direction.

It's also the standard in many industries and professions for a "count-up" (or count-down)... "One, two, three, GO!" or Three, two, one, GO!" You point three times, beginning with the index finger (or all three: index-middle-ring), adding (or subtracting) a finger for each successive point, and then waving on with the "go".

 

[Janx]

Surprisingly, yes. Most Americans are taught "three" as the index, middle and ring fingers however, as far as I know, in Germany its the "thumb +2" method. Why, I have no idea. How does anything become a cultural "norm"?

Having lived here all my life, I don't recall ever being taught that. And since I do it wrong, and can barely even do it this "American" way, I suspect it is regional at best.

I'm pretty sure it's simply a matter of circumstance which way folks do it, rather than any formal training. I highly doubt there were nuns whacking thumbs because children counted wrong.

 

[Jhaelen]

I'm pretty sure it's simply a matter of circumstance which way folks do it, rather than any formal training. I highly doubt there were nuns whacking thumbs because children counted wrong.

You mean like they did if a child prefered to use its left hand?

Being left-handed I don't think it's that unlikely. I mean, I'm not _that_ old and I still remember encountering plenty of people trying to tell me I was doing something 'wrong'.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Strange I do it both...my right hand it is index, middle and ring but on my left it is middle, ring & pinky.

 

[Janx]

Being left-handed I don't think it's that unlikely. I mean, I'm not _that_ old and I still remember encountering plenty of people trying to tell me I was doing something 'wrong'.

thats only because we like picking on those who aren't Right.