Things I Don't Understand - Part I

[wsc]

One finger salutes.

 

I understand them in traffic, have seen my share, and know what they mean in that context. But I don't understand such displays in ads the purpose of which is to entice the viewer to want to share time with the ones displaying the digit. Is there some other meaning to be conveyed and understood in such a gesture, one I'm not aware of? Is there a context in which it's intended as cute, friendly, or acceptable? Is it an attempt to be seen as rough or tough, or a nervous impulse that just falls flat, at least with me?

 

And it's not just having posed for such a photo in the first place. It's also the ill-considered choice -in my view- to include it an ad. When I see it in a provider's ad, I find it immediately offensive and impossible to overcome.

 

Recognizing that I may be extreme in my reaction, I would like to learn of others' views of and insights into this practice.

[John]

When I see a one-finger salute I move on the the next ad.

[thickornotatall]

When I see a one-finger salute I move on the the next ad.

Empty headed salute! Probably better if whoever is looking in the mirror...".How you Like Me Now?"

[dcguy20]

I have never understood that particular kind of photo in an ad as well.

[Aaron James]

In the UK providers use it to define their persona as ‘bad boy’ ‘geezer’ ‘straight’.

 

I actually find it kind of hot...

[OneFinger]

It's just a traffic issue or an occasional gesture. For me it's a life.

[MisterMike]

Why do I sense this is part 1 of a very long series?

[+ jeezopete]

In the UK providers use it to define their persona as ‘bad boy’ ‘geezer’ ‘straight’.

Ahhhh...I learned something today. I only knew the US definition (maybe some of us here ).

 

Geezer is a slang term for an old man. In the US, the term typically refers to a cranky old man and can carry the connotation of either age or eccentricity; see fuddy-duddy. In the UK it is synonymous with the US "Dude". It is generally not derogatory.

[wsc]

Why do I sense this is part 1 of a very long series?

I don't know. But you might find your answer in the upcoming Part XXXVII, due out in Fall, 2026.

 

BTW, I very much like your tagline: To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. Well said.

[Epigonos]

Over the years this questions has come up periodically. Consensus seems to be that some young guys think it is cute and funny. I've always been with the group that seeing the gesture I ALWAYS move on immediately. I find it a silly and immature in the extreme

Edited July 1, 2020 by Epigonos

[rvwnsd]

Over the years this questions has come up periodically. Consensus seems to be that some young guys think it is cute and funny. I've always been with the group that seeing the gesture I ALWAYS move on immediately. I find it a silly and immature in the extreme

It is also a sign that an escort doesn't understand the difference between his buddies and his client base.

[bostonman]

In the UK providers use it to define their persona as ‘bad boy’ ‘geezer’ ‘straight’.

 

I actually find it kind of hot...

 

I'm with you - I think it CAN be hot in the right context. But I totally understand those who feel it's offputting instead.

[wklukas]

This guy has a whole portfolio w/multiple poses.....

 

https://rent.men/masterjames/#platinum

[maninsoma]

I don't like the middle finger in an ad, either, but I've wondered whether some guys think it's a way to communicate that they are a dominant top. Given that it means "fuck you" in the U.S., when I see a photo with an expressionless face and a middle finger raised I can almost hear the guy saying in a gruff voice, "I'm going to fuck you until you can't take it any more." I like a more mellow kind of guy who can build excitement and then give me what I want, so an aggressive posture doesn't turn me on. Someone who is attracted to a "bad boy" type might find a photo like that more enticing.

[+ Reisr30]

I don't like the middle finger in an ad, either, but I've wondered whether some guys think it's a way to communicate that they are a dominant top. Given that it means "fuck you" in the U.S., when I see a photo with an expressionless face and a middle finger raised I can almost hear the guy saying in a gruff voice, "I'm going to fuck you until you can't take it any more." I like a more mellow kind of guy who can build excitement and then give me what I want, so an aggressive posture doesn't turn me on. Someone who is attracted to a "bad boy" type might find a photo like that more enticing.

Thank you for clarifying it’s the middle finger. I’m slow this morning...

 

On a related topic I never understood the three finger salute and what that request means....

[+ poolboy48220]

On a related topic I never understood the three finger salute and what that request means....

I believe it's meant to be a way to verify that the pictures are really of the escort. Three fingers raised is unusual enough that you're unlikely to find a pic of that if you're using stolen pics.

[marylander1940]

One finger salutes.

 

I understand them in traffic, have seen my share, and know what they mean in that context. But I don't understand such displays in ads the purpose of which is to entice the viewer to want to share time with the ones displaying the digit. Is there some other meaning to be conveyed and understood in such a gesture, one I'm not aware of? Is there a context in which it's intended as cute, friendly, or acceptable? Is it an attempt to be seen as rough or tough, or a nervous impulse that just falls flat, at least with me?

 

And it's not just having posed for such a photo in the first place. It's also the ill-considered choice -in my view- to include it an ad. When I see it in a provider's ad, I find it immediately offensive and impossible to overcome.

 

Recognizing that I may be extreme in my reaction, I would like to learn of others' views of and insights into this practice.

 

It's seen as cool, edgy, gangsta, inner city, etc.

 

You can also check this other thread with things we don't understand as marketing.

 

https://m4m-forum.org/threads/escorts-say-the-darndest-things.119548/

[JustScott]

I have to admit I’m less bothered by the middle finger than I am by them sticking out their tongue. THAT is what I don’t understand.

[jeezifonly]

Regarding the finger salute and the tongue thing in photos - it can be a capture of a moment, a funny response in ongoing private joke w/conversation between the subject and the photographer, or, it can be an affected (wink) pose overplaying the bad-boy image, or it can be a caught-off-guard moment of sincere disdain for...the camera?...the photo taker?...the business of escorting?...clients?

Since I can’t know the context I must assume the worst is possible - that this provider has given me warning he’ll have no interest in engaging with me, that disinterest translating into a lousy session for both of us, and now he’s got money that could have bought me and a friend a nice dinner.

[rvwnsd]

Regarding the finger salute and the tongue thing in photos - it can be a capture of a moment, a funny response in ongoing private joke w/conversation between the subject and the photographer, or, it can be an affected (wink) pose overplaying the bad-boy image, or it can be a caught-off-guard moment of sincere disdain for...the camera?...the photo taker?...the business of escorting?...clients?

Since I can’t know the context I must assume the worst is possible - that this provider has given me warning he’ll have no interest in engaging with me, that disinterest translating into a lousy session for both of us, and now he’s got money that could have bought me and a friend a nice dinner.

This post should be required reading for every escort when they post pics to RM, FB, etc.

[bostonman]

I'm not really into the thug type, but I definitely have fantasies about young jocks, alpha males, etc - the kind of guy who might (perhaps playfully) enjoy giving a rude gesture like the middle finger. I've always thought that if I was in bed with a guy who did that, I'd just suck his finger, lol.

[rustyrex]

I don't get the middle finger either, it looks childish to me. Can you imagine, in the heat of the moment he flips you the bird. I'd be all confused and say something like "we are actually fucking, but thanks for letting me know."

[Phil_musc]

"Is it in yet?"

[Smurof]

It's the millennial "I don't give a fuck" gesture. Us non-millennials for the most part really hate it, me included, but it's "not for us". I'm from the old school who doesn't use sign language to convey that I want you to fuck yourself.

 

With the tongue thing, here comes my old man prude opinion, but unless I'm a nurse or watching a KISS concert, I don't want to see it in a photo.

[JustScott]

 

With the tongue thing, here comes my old man prude opinion, but unless I'm a nurse or watching a KISS concert, I don't want to see it in a photo.

 

Since I added the “tongue thing” to this thread, I guess I’ll add to my old man prude opinion with no sense of shame: I don’t wanna see your tongue, but I do wanna feel it! ?