The pointing finger - I never thought much about it when I

[hedgehog]

was a kid, it wasn't a big deal in my family. But as I went out into the world, i discovered that for some people, a pointing finger was an incredible insult, worse even than the Brooklyn bird. What's your experience?

[appleannie1]

1. To wag a finger in someone's face is rude and disrespectful. My parents would have grounded me.

[VWolf]

2. I never really considered it an insult,

but I noticed that my repub acquaintances use it an awful lot more than my Dems do.

[lillypaddle]

3. To wag your finger

in the face of the President of the United States is about as insulting as you can get. What a fucking witch.

[hlthe2b]

4. I have long associated it with Bill O'Reilly-- who does this constantly...

And, while what comes out of his mouth is repulsive enough, it was that constant gesture--clearly meant to intimidate and bully-- that made me develop my intense contempt for the man.

It is a gesture of disrespect--an attempt to assert power over another. Ironically, had anyone other than the Governor done this to the President--i.e., a regular "citizen", I have little doubt that the Secret Service would have stepped in. It clearly is an aggressive gesture and one that quite often escalates to a more threatening one.

[DocMac]

5. Next time she'll top that and throw a shoe at him. nt

Lol. I'll never forget that guy throwing a shoe at Bush. Looks like Bush played some dodge ball in his day.

[phantom power]

6. context matters

I think part of the context here is that it's part of a pattern: Modern conservatives simply don't accept Democrat or liberal governance as legitimate. They don't feel any respect for a Democratic president at all.

Getting all up in a president's face? Over some fucking two-year-old perceived slight, about a vanity-published book? She thinks her ego is of greater consequence than his time.

I'm glad it got caught on film. I hope it helps people see Brewer for the self-involved GOP asshole that she is.

[ieoeja]

9. Same here. I have to restrain fight reflex when some idiot pulls that kind of a move. n/t

[bemildred]

8. You wag your finger in my face, I'm done with you right there.

Apparently our President feels the same.

[KT2000]

10. +1 n/t

[Aerows]

12. What's there to say when someone is that rude?

They certainly aren't there to talk TO you, they are there to talk AT you, and nothing gets accomplished for either party once that starts.

[Aerows]

11. It is extremely rude

There is no excuse for doing it in polite society. Putting your finger in my face is a very good reason for me to completely shut down on you, and there won't be further discussion, or at least not polite discussion.

I don't do it to others, and I won't put up with others doing it to me, no matter who they are. Some people don't seem to get that, though. They think anything is just fine if they do it, though they would be the first ones to be screaming to high heaven if someone did it to them. If they shoe were on the other foot, Jan Brewer would be heralded as a martyr, a saint and next to Mother Teresa for putting up with President Obama waving HIS finger in her face.

That's what Republicans don't seem to get - people are fed up with their double standards of ethical behavior. The media waves their little flags trying to make it "fair and balanced", but there is no circumstance under which it is adult behavior, civil behavior, or behavior befitting a public office holder to get into ANYBODY'S face and finger wag them. They are supposed to represent the people, and that means being held to a higher standard than behavior you would find occurring at dive bar.

[Mopar151]

13. Better smile when you point that finger, partner....

Or somebody may lose their religion on your ass.

The poke in the chest is an imposition on the recipients Christian charity, and the string holding back a fist is mighty thin.

[Stratetalker]

14. Ah damn

Damn good post

[jberryhill]

15. Point at things, not people

I find it highly rude.

[EC]

16. It made her look ancient in my mind.

Because it looked like an old lady scolding someone she thought of as a juvenile, undeserving of respect. Just like old man McCain looks like the old man that screams at you for being on his lawn.


On edit: I ignore people that do that and if done to me, I turn and walk no matter who it is. It's rude and meant to be demeaning.