Poll: Middle fingers

[unicron44]

Me and a couple of my friends do it jokingly, mostly as a greeting. I did once give it to a teacher who was a complete jerk, but I think I could have handled the situation better.

 

[Zedayen]

In jest, I and my friends use it often. Often the response to the question "Have you got_______?" replied by putting your hand in your pocket and upon removing your hand from the pocket presenting the middle digit. It's a joke you would think would get old, but no.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

I don't know what you're talking about, I see it all the time.

 

[AvsJoe]

In Bruges is a damn good film. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story with a side of dark humour.

 

[TilMorrow]

Middle Finger = Epic Insult/Expression of Anger. Use it only when the situation is right.

On-Topic: Yea I've seen a few people use it to express their anger at someone's arse-holery and I've use it once or twice myself but its not something that should crop up every few seconds in life so that could account for your lack of viewing people flipping off in public. Its effect is similar to that of showing a British person a backward peace/V for victory hand sign, very insulting.

 

[DkLnBr]

Driving around where I live I see a lot. People know that no one can hear your insults, but they can see your fingers. Even for stupid things, like when you pass them

 

[dorkette1990]

I never flip people off to their face, it's abhorrently rude. I do, however, flip off every inanimate object and every jerk on the road I see, mostly because if I overreact that way, there's less a chance of me kicking a hole in the wall (which I have done - halfway through an animation when the program crashed and lost all my work...).

As a side note, In Bruges is a fantastic, AMAZING film. Makes me laugh every time. And also want to jump Colin Ferrell, that incredibly hot irish man. Plus, you know, hitmen rock as a stereotype.

 

[loc978]

In Bruges is an excellent film

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But yes, I know many people who flip the bird when angry on a regular basis... and I myself have used it on occasion.

 

[Vampire cat]

It's a classic "you suck at driving but we're in separate cars so I'll have to inform you by means of finger" move. That's where I'll see it more frequently, when in a friends car that doesn't want to let people trying to jump the line in and they flip him off for it. Then I, being the loyal passenger, do the same at the other driver.

 

[Count Igor]

The middle finger thing is not a myth as far as i know. The story I hear is that back in some war when bows were still commonly used captured archers would have their middle fingers cut off since the two fingers that they primarily use to draw the bow the middle and ring, share a tendon or something (not entirely sure), so cutting off the middle one would severely cripple their ability to shoot anymore. The capturers would then show off their middle fingers to the captured archers.

Not entirely sure as to how accurate this is but its what I heard.

As for me, I hardly swear so I don't really use it.

That's the Two Fingers pose. The middle one's got nothing to do with that I think. Eh. Maybe.
Edit: (The 'Two finger salute' as it's quite awesomely named, isn't actually that insulting any more. I think it's just above saying 'Crap' and around the 'Shit' mark. If you get what I mean. Even I don't, so no matter if you're thinking I'm crazy right now)

OT: It isn't just in America you know, but I've seen it like 4 times in my life over here.

 

[Recron]

yep occasionally usually joined with an irritated "oh fuck you" funny thing is I only deploy the middle finger If I am mildly pissed of, not really really angry.

 

[Queen Michael]

I like to show them the back of my fist with my index finger and middle finger raised.

 

[The Afrodactyl]

I like to show them the back of my fist with my index finger and middle finger raised.

This. I much prefer to flick the V's.

 

[Artina89]

I have seen quite a few people "flip the bird" actually, however, I have seen people stick both their fingers in the "V for victory" sign a lot more frequently, as that seems to be the more popular insult in Britain.

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

I don't, personally. The only person I've seen do it and not mean it jokingly, was my mom, and she's crazy.

 

[Knusper]

I've seen my older brother do it sometimes, but that's really because he copies all his favourite movie characters, and I'm pretty sure it pops up in a few of his favourite films.

 

[MasterChief892039]

Flipping the bird is just for showing your disdain for bad drivers. Flipping someone off in a face-to-face argument would just be strange and awkward.

 

[Saltyk]

Now that I think about it, no I haven't really seen anyone use the middle finger in anger in a long time. Me and a few of my friends do it every so often, but its mostly a joke.

 

[Habakkuk]

I use the more Brittish two finger salute. Its basically a revearse of Churchills Victory sighn and it just feels more natural than the single finger.

 

[Habakkuk]

The rumor I heard and this could be complete BS was that during the 100 yrs war the french cavalry would target the english bowmen. When they captured them they would cut off their middle and pointer finger. In english victories the bowmen would show the french that they had their fingers. Over time the pointer went away. I heard that maybe 9yrs ago in a high school history class but I have no proof its a validated fact.

The story is thats how the two finger salute came along. Its not actualy true though unfortunately. No one realy knows how it came about.

Sorry for the double post.