V sign when taking a photo

[giggles]

why do they do this ? they put their hand behind the persons head with 2 fingers stuck up just above their heads .

just curious

[pomchop]

Not sure in Thailand but in USA it was supposed to be the devils horns....at least that is what I was told when a kid.

[stoneyboy]

It's a nod to Churchill.

[TTSIssues]

It's to give "bunny ears" to make the person look funny in the picture

The reason people (mainly girls to be fair) make V signs in photos is that in Japan they think it looks cute. Where Japan leads, others follow. HK, china and Thais all do it now

[macduff]

I think it rude to stick fingers up

[Tywais]

A few definitions of the why in WiKi. Don't you think they are adorable?

[Tywais]

I think it rude to stick fingers up

So which nationality do you fit in?

If the palm of the hand faces the signer (i.e., the back of the hand faces the observer), the sign signifies: An insult. This usage is restricted largely to Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

[pattayadingo]

Yes, they do it because it is 'cute' in their eyes.

Nothing to do with insults.

I've a few photos of quite a lot of younger ladies I've met who make this sign.

[pomchop]

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect Thailand1378049583.802880.jpg

It's a nod to Churchill.

or perhaps the famous Richard Nixon "peace sign" ? or maybe just the old hippie PEACE SIGN?

[ETatBKK]

from Japan, in those days when SPLIT-FOCUSING SCREEN just introduced, Japanese photographers asked their subjects ( especially girls ) for this V-fingers for focusing : -)

( for those young enough to remember )

[arthurwait]

There's a shop in Mega Bang Na that has a mannequin model whatever you call it of someone dressed like a doctor outside it. The shop name begins with a 'w' so the mannequin makes a 'w' with 2 forward facing v signs.

Can't find the mannequin but ...

[cpofc]

We were doing the same thing in the 60s/70s Hippie Era. Sneaking around behind person/s getting photographed and holding the V sign behind their head. Hopefully without them realising it. Or even giving it yourself when posing for a photo. Instead of saying 'cheese' one would say 'Peace Brother' and hold up the V Sign.

This is around the era the whole thing really caught on in this context. Originally it was the cigar smoking, Winston Churchill's iconic 'V' for Victory sign in WWII,

Then in the 60s/70s Hippie Era it was revived by the Pot Smoking Hippie Anti War Movement and it became the Universal 'Peace' Sign, it seems to have just stuck.

(the different colours represent the different races)

[sustento]

I think it rude to stick fingers up

Depends what you stick them up...

[7by7]

I think it rude to stick fingers up

So which nationality do you fit in?

If the palm of the hand faces the signer (i.e., the back of the hand faces the observer), the sign signifies: An insult. This usage is restricted largely to Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

The common misconception is that this started in the Hundred Years War, before the Battle of Agincourt.

The story is that if French soldiers caught an English bowman they would cut off the index and middle fingers of his right hand so he could not draw a longbow. So, prior to the battle the English bowman would wave these two fingers at the French whilst shouting "Pluck yew!"

Over time the gesture came to mean "F*** you!"

However, this story is almost certainly not true.

Only nobles and others who could be ransomed were, if caught, kept alive. Commoners were not worth a ransom and feeding them etc. would be costly, so any captured during or after a battle were usually killed.

[Sayonarax]

Its sign language for peace.

When you flip it around it's a sign language for get nicked (go away).<-- in the not so nicest way possible.

But i prefer when my mates give me this gesture..

[gpdjohn]

I think it rude to stick fingers up

So which nationality do you fit in?

If the palm of the hand faces the signer (i.e., the back of the hand faces the observer), the sign signifies: An insult. This usage is restricted largely to Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

The common misconception is that this started in the Hundred Years War, before the Battle of Agincourt.

The story is that if French soldiers caught an English bowman they would cut off the index and middle fingers of his right hand so he could not draw a longbow. So, prior to the battle the English bowman would wave these two fingers at the French whilst shouting "Pluck yew!"

Over time the gesture came to mean "F*** you!"

However, this story is almost certainly not true.

Only nobles and others who could be ransomed were, if caught, kept alive. Commoners were not worth a ransom and feeding them etc. would be costly, so any captured during or after a battle were usually killed.

Could be some truths of the story in that I have always heard of the two fingers up as the Longbowman's Salute.

[historyprof]

Thai women are very history conscious and definitely show a preference for overweight older men who smoke cigars. Hence the tribute V sign whenever they take a photo hoping against hope that a handsome man from the West will see the picture.

[btwretail]

Its "Thai-style"! - Makes you look funny and "Ting-Tong", I guess...

Nobody here knows what it means and it actually looks stupid (I my opinion), but who cares? Maybe a way to not feel shy, when the picture is being taken.

Actually, young people in Europe are also starting to do it now.

I always thought the V sign meant "Victory", but who and I to know? Maybe Thai-girls use it to show, that they have found a Farang-boyfriend.

[anotheruser]

Its "Thai-style"! - Makes you look funny and "Ting-Tong", I guess...

Nobody here knows what it means and it actually looks stupid (I my opinion), but who cares? Maybe a way to not feel shy, when the picture is being taken.

Actually, young people in Europe are also starting to do it now.

I always thought the V sign meant "Victory", but who and I to know? Maybe Thai-girls use it to show, that they have found a Farang-boyfriend.

No it is definitely not "Thai style"

[geriatrickid]

Its "Thai-style"! - Makes you look funny and "Ting-Tong", I guess...

Nobody here knows what it means and it actually looks stupid (I my opinion), but who cares? Maybe a way to not feel shy, when the picture is being taken.

Actually, young people in Europe are also starting to do it now.

I always thought the V sign meant "Victory", but who and I to know? Maybe Thai-girls use it to show, that they have found a Farang-boyfriend.

No it is definitely not "Thai style"

Gangnam style?

[harrry]

I think it rude to stick fingers up

So which nationality do you fit in?

Is this what you really wanted to say?

[Stradavarius37]

That sound you hear is the bottom of the thread topic barrel being scraped....

[Berkshire]

If giggles had any balls, he'd tell this guy how silly he thinks the V is....

[Cheapcharly]

When ladies make young the V sign, it means she want 2 partners at same time.!

[Sung Ham]

If the palm of the hand faces the signer (i.e., the back of the hand faces the observer), the sign signifies: An insult. This usage is restricted largely to Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

The root of which is based in the Anglo-Franco wars. The French would cut the two fingers off the captured archers.

This resulted in the English giving the French the 'two fingers' up yours salute to tease that they still had them.

[bangkokrick]

I have seen this sign made in photographs in most Asian Countries, it's not just a Thai thing. I guess that it means peace.

[historyprof]

I have seen this sign made in photographs in most Asian Countries, it's not just a Thai thing. I guess that it means peace.

In Thailand they no idea it means peace. Cut or smile are closer.

[Cheapcharly]

I think they asked for a cigarette.

Happen to me, a guy In usa made me the V sign when I was driving my bicycle , and I said "sorry I don't smoke"

"no, peace man, peace"

"Ah OK, well peace to you too dude"

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

Its "Thai-style"! - Makes you look funny and "Ting-Tong", I guess...

Nobody here knows what it means and it actually looks stupid (I my opinion), but who cares? Maybe a way to not feel shy, when the picture is being taken.

Actually, young people in Europe are also starting to do it now.

I always thought the V sign meant "Victory", but who and I to know? Maybe Thai-girls use it to show, that they have found a Farang-boyfriend.

You are considerably more dismissive of "Thai style" when the symbols not personally offensive to you.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

The story is that if French soldiers caught an English bowman they would cut off the index and middle fingers of his right hand so he could not draw a longbow. So, prior to the battle the English bowman would wave these two fingers at the French whilst shouting "Pluck yew!"

Over time the gesture came to mean "F*** you!"

Unlikely, as the English didn't speak English in those times.