Hand and Thumb GesturesClosing himself off
but still feeling superiorThe thumb can also be used as a signal of ridicule or disre-
spect when it is used to point at another person. For example,
the husband who leans across to his friend, points towards his
wife with his thumb and says 'She always nags', is inviting an
argument with her. In this case, the shaking thumb is used as
a pointer to ridicule her. Consequently, thumb-pointing is irri-
tating to most women, particularly when a man does it. The
Thumb Shaking gesture is not common among women,
although they sometimes use the gesture to point at people
they don't like.'She always nags me!'SummaryIhe thumbs have been used as a sign of power and authority
for thousands of years. In Roman times, the thumb held up or
down meant life or death to a gladiator. Even without any
training, others intuitively decode thumb signals and seem to
understand their meaning. You are now in a position not only
to decode thumb signs, but to train yourself to use them.