Aloha2U Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 It is not my child's intent to offend anyone since he's only 5 and doesn't know it as being a rude hand gesture (would never even cross his mind, IYKWIM), so I'm not worried about anyone getting the wrong idea... nor do I think that it is something I need to correct/change. ;) I'm just curious if anyone else's dc does this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 I had one child who did this. I think it was related to the fact that he sucked the last two fingers on his hand, so he would point with his middle finger. I gently encouraged him to use his pointer because it is more polite than the middle finger. I think he had stopped by the time he was 4. When he was about 7, he saw someone flip the bird and he realized how angry that looked and understood it to be a shockingly rude gesture. What people will overlook on a little one is seen as totally inappropriate on an older child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Yes, and we correct her, but it doesn't sink in to change either. She doesn't even know she is doing it until we point it out. This is the child that often still has to count when you hold up 5 fingers though.... LOL, so well, we keep trying! Like yours she doesn't know/get that she is using an offending finger. We do mention that people will take it as "not nice" (she is my 10yo). But really i try to make it not a huge deal so as to not embarrass her either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springmama Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 My husband doesn't point at things with his middle finger, but he does push buttons with it. It drives me bonkers. I don't know why it drives me crazy like it does but every time he does it I just wanna tell him he's not using the correct finger, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Ours did, we just said "pointer finger" and if he would forget...and we started to tell him "pointer finger" he'd say... Oh yeh.. pointer finger:-) Carrie:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty Social Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 My father points at things on papers, tables, etc with his middle finger, but not when pointing at things in the distance, if that makes any sense. I find myself doing the same thing, and my kids do occasionally also. I always just thought it was some weird quirk in my family - didn't know that others did it! As far as correcting it - I think a gentle reminder will work over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quad Shot Academy Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 At least one of my kids does it and their uncle still does it, and yes, it has gotten him into trouble. ;) I thought it was genetic! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 My oldest DD did this a few years ago when she was 2 and 3 years old. I would never make a big deal about it....in fact, I said nothing to her about it. However, my two sisters always said something about it and it ticked me off. She has NO clue she was making a rude hand gesture. It's only a rude hand gesture if you know the meaning behind it and are intentionally doing it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 My daughter does that. I keep correcting her. When she asks why I just tell her "It's not polite." If she asks why it's not polite I tell her "Some people think it means something very rude and it could get you into trouble." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest janainaz Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Mine did that (both of them). I just would casually tell them to point with the pointer and show them which one, but I never made a derogatory comment about it. No big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christy B Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 My father points at things on papers, tables, etc with his middle finger, but not when pointing at things in the distance, if that makes any sense. I find myself doing the same thing, and my kids do occasionally also. I always just thought it was some weird quirk in my family - didn't know that others did it! As far as correcting it - I think a gentle reminder will work over time. My dad does this, too! Like yours, just on the paper or table in front of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Tara~ Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 My 8 yr old does this. I think it is a fairly recent happening. I don't recall him doing this a year or so ago. I just do as the others have stated "use your pointer" and that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moni Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Very common :) :seeya: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I correct my children when they do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 My eldest did this until she was about 10. At that point, a friend told her what it meant (I hate you!:lol:), and that it wasn't nice to do that. She was mortified and stopped that very second.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 (edited) My 5 yr old son has always pointed this way and he also is totally clueless that another person would think it anything other than pointing. ETA: one of the other kids reads his books with that finger under the words. And like a pp I don't appreciate someone correcting him on it either. He is pointing and nothing more. Edited September 20, 2009 by Martha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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