I Have to Point This Out…!

Be aware of how you point in your face-to-face demos – you may not realize what you are communicating!

On a Mediterranean island, I was watching a tour group listening to their guide pointing to a map of an ancient megalithic complex, when I noticed the group laughing and smirking as their guide identified features on the map.

What was going on?

I realized the guide was pointing using their middle finger, and the tour group was from North America. From the group’s perspective, their guide was “flipping them off!”

• In many cultures, the logical finger for pointing is the middle finger, since it is the longest.
• In other cultures, the index finger (aka forefinger) is preferred.
• And in other cultures, pointing directly at someone with a finger is rude!

Solution?

Use the Two-Finger approach: This is the clearest method of pointing with the least risk of offending people!

Note that many airline flight attendants use the Two-Finger method during their safety briefings for the same reasons.

Get the point?