While I was teaching young children how to count with their fingers, I noticed something fascinating. They’d normally hold up their thumb to show one, while I grew up seeing one as the index finger.
It was such an interesting cultural difference. And the kids noticed it too! They kept asking, “Teacher Marina! Perché fai cosi?” And I had to assure them that it was correct, both ways.
In today’s video blog, this is my take on how finger counting in Europe started :
I could be wrong though!
Sidenote : Ramadan starts today in Italy. Because it’s the middle of summer here, dawn starts 3.53am. I’ve been awake since 3 and am feeling quite zoned out! Zzz …
I learnt abt that in “Inglourious Basterds”.
I’ve yet to watch it! It does seem quite violent!
The Chinese do it differently too. I got confused because of the way they show 8 with their fingers.
Wow, thank you for the youtube link. I had no idea before this. It’s so interesting and really an eye opener
Marina, I count with my fingers the way you do too. Emanuele and me found out the difference sometime ago and we were surprised at the different way to count
Selamat berpuasa!!
I didn’t really noticed this before teaching the young children. Mainly because they kept asking, “Cosi? Cosi? Cosi? Cosi?” Non stop. So of course, it was hard not to notice! Hahaha!
Thank you for the Ramadan wishes. Cart and I appreciate it
Interesting, I always thought it is different countries, not the race. I think after a while they would count the way we count. Would they?
That is what happens with globalisation. Slowly everything would be integrated. Years back the middle finger wasn’t even known to be a vulgarity.
I learnt about this while in college. Many cultural differences indeed and many of them stem from difference in countries, not race.
In any case… I’m not European but I count starting with the thumb, too. ^^
Wow, how did that happen? Are you influenced by someone?