Why do CMs point with 2 fingers?

[s8film40]

As a CM you are only allowed to point with 2 fingers or and open palm. BUT there is an instance where you are allowed to point. You are allowed to point at something that your fingertip is touching, for instance a map. When guiding someone you can point on a map. This explains Walt's pointing in the first picture. The reason behind it is really the rudeness factor(which I understand) and the Walt story is merely pixie dust.

Walt did not follow this rule, in fact it probably came about after he was gone. There are certainly many photos out there of Walt pointing out into open space with one finger, while not a photograph the Partners statue in every park depicts him pointing with one finger.

I wouldn't exactly call the Walt story merely pixie dust since it is grounded in fact.

Since you understand the rudeness factor can you tell me though how one finger is more rude than two, I never really did get it.

 

[Tigger1988]

Since you understand the rudeness factor can you tell me though how one finger is more rude than two, I never really did get it.

Gestures mean different things in different cultures. Pointing with the index finger is associated with casting a curse in certain cultures.

The peace sign for example, it's harmless to Americans but in England if you do it with the palm facing inward it's equal to an obscene gesture.

 

[unkadug]

because they dont point with the middle finger

You stole my line!

 

[AlishaMisha]

I wasn't saying that he never did, but people are claiming that 2 fingers was Walt's morals, and if it was, then I was explaining why this was okay for him to do.

It's ground fact that he pointed with 2 fingers, it isn't ground fact that CMs do it because of Walt. The pixie dust is to give a positive twist to a guideline that would seem restrictive normally, but with a story behind it it almost makes you want to do it to carry on his legend.

As for the rudeness factor, your not suppose to ever point at someone intentionally. Single pointing is a sign of mockery. If you saw someone pointing(and it was crowded) you would think they were pointing at someone, which is rude. But if they are pointing with 2 fingers you assume they are directing. Does that make sense? A single finger is "sharper" it is more precise and less welcoming. Two fingers is vague and more "soft". Was that just a whole mess of words?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

 

[sar1980sweetie]

Walt did not follow this rule, in fact it probably came about after he was gone. There are certainly many photos out there of Walt pointing out into open space with one finger, while not a photograph the Partners statue in every park depicts him pointing with one finger.

I wouldn't exactly call the Walt story merely pixie dust since it is grounded in fact.

Since you understand the rudeness factor can you tell me though how one finger is more rude than two, I never really did get it.

Pointing with one finger in some countries is like giving someone the middle finger here. http://travel.uk.msn.com/inspiration/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=149582316&page=3

Same reason you don't make the round “OK” sign with your thumb and forefinger. In Greece and Turkey, for example, this gesture can be taken as highly vulgar. You are telling someone that they resemble a similarly shaped part of the human body and, by extension, that they are homosexual. In some Middle Eastern countries, such as Kuwait, the OK sign signifies the evil eye.

When I was a cast member they taught us to be very careful what kind of gestures we make because there are so many people from outside the US that visit and don't share the same meanings for hand signals.

 

[unkadug]

Ahh...such "peace" loving lads.

 

[s8film40]

Yeah I just don't get the whole meaning behind gestures. For me it all comes down to intention, if someone intends for a gesture to be rude it will come off that way regardless of what type of gesture it is. It really is silly how different societies place such large meaning on simple gestures and allow themselves to be offended so easily.

 

[yeti]

And Steve Tyler still gets away with giving us the shocker...

 

[DisneyJoe]

FWIW, one Wiki answer:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_Pointing_with_index_finger_is_rude

"In some cultures, pointing with the finger formerly indicated casting a curse. It's a custom. Quite often there are no logical reasons for customs, but to avoid offending people we follow them anyway."

 

[AlishaMisha]

Yeah I just don't get the whole meaning behind gestures. For me it all comes down to intention, if someone intends for a gesture to be rude it will come off that way regardless of what type of gesture it is. It really is silly how different societies place such large meaning on simple gestures and allow themselves to be offended so easily.

I get it, but I'm not offended. I just get uncomfortable when people point. Only cause I have lots of social anxieties and I feel like they are mocking me in some way. But that is my own issue and I don't expect anyone to change their behavior because of my own issues, but doesn't take away from the fact that I understand.

 

[loveofamouse]

it's not silly. I'm sure some think it's silly that Americans are offended by a middle finger.

some of these gestures have completely different meanings in American sign language and will get used.

Two fingers up, palm inward- number 2
two fingers up, palm out- letter V
the "ok" gesture- letter F

move any of those in ANY way, completely different words.

 

[s8film40]

it's not silly. I'm sure some think it's silly that Americans are offended by a middle finger.

some of these gestures have completely different meanings in American sign language and will get used.

Two fingers up, palm inward- number 2
two fingers up, palm out- letter V
the "ok" gesture- letter F

move any of those in ANY way, completely different words.

It is silly, I'm an American and no gesture even the middle finger offends me. It's really up to you as to what you allow to offend you. I guess hand gestures just don't get to me.

 

[Courtney1188]

It is silly, I'm an American and no gesture even the middle finger offends me. It's really up to you as to what you allow to offend you. I guess hand gestures just don't get to me.

Just because it doesn't offend you does not make it silly. Most Americans would be offended by the middle finger.

 

[Tigger1988]

It is silly, I'm an American and no gesture even the middle finger offends me. It's really up to you as to what you allow to offend you. I guess hand gestures just don't get to me.

So, because it doesn't offend YOU...it's silly?

That'd be like someone saying they aren't offended by *insert any derogatory slur here* so it's silly that anyone else is.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

And Steve Tyler still gets away with giving us the shocker...

Speak for yourself :lookaroun

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

There are some sections of society here, and Im sure the US is no different, who go out of there way to find things that offend. And perhaps in this compensation culture Disney is bet playing it safe.

 

[unkadug]

So, because it doesn't offend YOU...it's silly?

That'd be like someone saying they aren't offended by *insert any derogatory slur here* so it's silly that anyone else is.

In a way it is, because SOMEBODY had to first consider it offensive. Why does their decision carry any more weight than ours? Was it God, was it a Judge of the land. I highly doubt it.

 

[Xethos]

Just because it doesn't offend you does not make it silly. Most Americans would be offended by the middle finger.

Giving somoene the middle finger isnt originally an American insult. It startred long ago in Europe. When archers were caught by rival towns, factions, or whomever, They would chop off their middle fingers so they can never shoot a bow again. So by giving someone "the finger" they were showing that they still had them and were ready to use them.

 

[parkgoer]

Giving somoene the middle finger isnt originally an American insult. It startred long ago in Europe. When archers were caught by rival towns, factions, or whomever, They would chop off their middle fingers so they can never shoot a bow again. So by giving someone "the finger" they were showing that they still had them and were ready to use them.

no, it's showing 2 fingers, like "haha #$&* you I have 2 fingers!"