What is the origin of the saying "when you point a finger there are three fingers pointing back at you"?
q: What is the origin of the saying “when you point a finger there are three fingers pointing back at you”?As far as I know, this saying comes from the Navajo people of the American Southwest. The Navajo word for a human being is bílaʼashdlaʼii, which means literally, the five-fingered one. In Navajo culture, pointing the finger is very powerful, and in most cases it should be strenuously avoided. There are a few things that you are permitted to point at, such as rainbows. Even with rainbows, you must never point at them with a finger… you have to point with your thumb. Pointing at people is very serious. If you point at someone and accuse him of some wrongdoing, it’s considered a very serious overreaction and it will probably get you in trouble. In a Navajo court of law, the judge will admonish you for pointing and remind you that when you point a finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you. Among the Navajo, it has always been so.
Why do people point their finger at you when they are talking?
i also find this rude and aggressive. and when some one dose this to me i turn my back on them and walk away and refuse to speak to them again. i had a person in my life who used to not only get in my face and point and shake their finger in my face two or three inches from my nose they would poke me in my chest with it. it was threatening and humiliating because they always did this in front of and audience to show how superior they were. the last time they lost a finger and use of their hand. it seems that some people think it is alright to treat young people with that sort of disrespect and intimidation, but it is not okay. it is a form of body language that says i am bigger and more important than you and i can speak to you and treat you like a dog if i so please. not so for me. i had a good set of teeth. better than any dog. i would not recommend anyone reacting with that sort of violence . but i would recommend speaking up and telling them not to point their finger at you because it is threatening and disrespectful and you do not care to hear what they are saying when they do this. then walk away. what they have to say usually dose not warrant the time to listen to any way.
When you point a finger there are three fingers pointing back at you?
it means that when you point a finger at someone...point out their flaws..you are really pointing out the things you dont like about yourself. i'd say a lot of the time its true. a lot of people who put others down do it to make themselves feel better!! not sure about the second one, depends on the situation..some things can start out bitter & end just wonderfully :)