WM Phoenix Open

[Tiger Spuds]

You are aware that the middle finger has no meaning in England, right? Poulter would probably know as much about the middle finger as you know about the "two finger salute" that is used in England. I really doubt that he's doing it intentionally.

Of course it has meaning in England.It means exactly the same thing as it does in the States.The only thing is the 'two-finger salute' is far more popular in England, but they still use the other one and understand it's meaning.Ian is this kind of guy, of course he was doing it intentionally.His 'I was getting something off my face' comment on twitter was rather tongue in cheek.

[iacas]

You are aware that the middle finger has no meaning in England, right? Poulter would probably know as much about the middle finger as you know about the "two finger salute" that is used in England. I really doubt that he's doing it intentionally.

You're wrong. Provably so. Poulter has been flipping things off for years. And then there's the famous picture Ian Poulter posted on Twitter with Camilo and Justin Rose flipping the bird.

And yeah, what Tiger Spuds said.

[Chas]

Chaps, the Brits know what the single digit means well enough - as well as the "V". They're equal opportunity offenders. I should know, I grew up over there fully ambidextrous.

[Shanks A Million]

Chaps, the Brits know what the single digit means well enough - as well as the "V". They're equal opportunity offenders. I should know, I grew up over there fully ambidextrous.

Hmm, never seen it used among the Britons. Something to remember I guess.

[jsherm45]

Poulter has been flipping things off for years. And then there's the famous picture Ian Poulter posted on Twitter with Camilo and Justin Rose flipping the bird.

LOL. Whoah, you weren't kidding about that geeky golfer crossing sign.

=)

[i-Guy]

You are aware that the middle finger has no meaning in England, right? Poulter would probably know as much about the middle finger as you know about the "two finger salute" that is used in England. I really doubt that he's doing it intentionally.

Great point...as culture could have played a role in this as I was stationed in England (Ipswich) for a couple of years in the USAF and they don't shoot the bird over there and were confused by an American doing it in anger...I also learned real quick about the "two finger salute".

now I am not saying whether Poulter meant it or not and being a world traveler I would have to think he knows what the "bird" is but BFD! So he flipped off some drunk college kids being obnoxious...Let it go already!!!

[Shanks A Million]

Great point...as culture could have played a role in this as I was stationed in England (Ipswich) for a couple of years in the USAF and they don't shoot the bird over there and were confused by an American doing it in anger...I also learned real quick about the "two finger salute".

From what's been said, apparently some parts of the UK do know the finger. From what I know, he's from Hitchen, which is in Hertfordshire, a stain on the map between Bedford, Luton and Cambridge... Ok, so not exactly akin to Del Boy and Rodney selling knockoff briefcases from their Reliant in Peckam, but maybe more akin to a west midlands Chav whose parents live in a detached Tudor with matching Wedgwood plates and cups... I have no doubt that either could tell you off in at

least 6 countries.

[Tiger Spuds]

I'd say 'West midlands chav' might be fairly accurate there Shanks!Should see pictures of him from early in his career.He had the gold chains everywhere and the dodgy haircut.Add to that the fact that he still acts like a chav.

[Shanks A Million]

I'd say 'West midlands chav' might be fairly accurate there Shanks!Should see pictures of him from early in his career.He had the gold chains everywhere and the dodgy haircut.Add to that the fact that he still acts like a chav.

Damn, that's a low blow there. Even for Poulter, saying he's the type who smokes unfiltereds at bus shelters on the "mean" streets of Bedworth? That's cold.

[mcfc_nick]

From what's been said, apparently some parts of the UK do know the finger. From what I know, he's from Hitchen, which is in Hertfordshire, a stain on the map between Bedford, Luton and Cambridge... Ok, so not exactly akin to Del Boy and Rodney selling knockoff briefcases from their Reliant in Peckam, but maybe more akin to a west midlands Chav whose parents live in a detached Tudor with matching Wedgwood plates and cups... I have no doubt that either could tell you off in at

every single person over here knows about it and it is used as frequently as the 2 finger

[Chas]

Thanks for confirming what Spuds and I said in an earlier post. I didn't live in Jolly Old for three decades not to know that. Heck, it's where I learned how to do it prop'ly myself.

So when I arrived over here, I was well prepared.

Hmm, never seen it used among the Britons. Something to remember I guess.

You can't be mixing with the hoi polloi old chap.

[Acropo]

every single person over here knows about it and it is used as frequently as the 2 finger

Not in my experience. It's known, yes, but it's a bit affected (nice word!) I'd say, if it's used casually. Not as widely used as the two fingers - unless I have been mixing with the 'right' crowd! If the recipient still doesn't get the message then a punch in the mouth usually gets it across.

[mcfc_nick]

Not in my experience. It's known, yes, but it's a bit affected (nice word!) I'd say, if it's used casually. Not as widely used as the two fingers - unless I have been mixing with the 'right' crowd! If the recipient still doesn't get the message then a punch in the mouth usually gets it across.

haha, yeah obviously the V is used more often but everyone knows what it is and it is used a lot - unless ive been mixing with the 'wrong' crowd :)

[Shanks A Million]

haha, yeah obviously the V is used more often but everyone knows what it is and it is used a lot - unless ive been mixing with the 'wrong' crowd :)

Possible... Manchester is not exactly known for being incredibly "normal" from what I've heard, or is that just some of it's more well known denizens who give that impression?

[Chas]

LOL, I can't wait to hear the answer to that one. I'm not touching it myself ...... heck I had a girlfriend once from Manchester, what can I say? Splendid seat of the Industrial Revolution (or was that Brum, I forget now ....).

Me, I spent years at a boarding school in the Mendip Hills, not far from a certain other Brit poster in this thread. Let's just say the single digit was known and used in tham thar scrumpy-drinking parts.

But Manchester and Bristol are a long, long way from Luton, are they not?

[Acropo]

Possible... Manchester is not exactly known for being incredibly "normal" from what I've heard, or is that just some of it's more well known denizens who give that impression?

I think I should step in behalf of mcfc-Nick.

You may be confusing 'denizens of Manchester' with 'fans of Manchester United'. The latter tend to live at least 100 miles from the city of their dreams. Indeed, the further you go from Manchester, the more United fans you're likely to find... (I am convinced that Nick lives in Manc in no small part because his tag indicates that he supports City!) Now...how are Liverpool getting on?

[Acropo]

News update:

Oi wuz wraaaannng!

My Youth Correspondent advises me that 'flipping the bird' is, indeed, widely understood and used by the Younger Generation (kidz today, eh?)

When oi were a lad, lifting one finger was a humourously contemptuous indication that one couldn't be bothered to raise two - but there you go: it appears to be an aggressive gesture, these days.

She also advised me that gangstas (and wannabees) have a further refinement, which involves half-folding the three fingers surrounding the middle.

Furthermore, she confirmed my suspicions that those aforementioned gangstas (and wannabees) who wear too-big-for-them jeans hanging halfway down their boxers look stupid - and those who sport the tight-fitting low-riders look even worse. However, she advises against telling them directly as this may provoke unnecessary exchanges of harsh words and maybe even bird-flips. So probably best to get someone else to do it.

In addition, she said that suggesting that they may be wearing their trousers (pants?) so loose may indicate enthusiasm for same-gender sexual experiences could lead to even more serious consequences.

So there you have it. I trust this information will enable you to make your way through exotic neighbourhoods unmolested.

(However, Poults is closer to my age than hers so he may be a ignorant as I have been, hitherto)

[mcfc_nick]

Possible... Manchester is not exactly known for being incredibly "normal" from what I've heard, or is that just some of it's more well known denizens who give that impression?

haha, mate we get a bad reputation but in reality it isnt as bad, in fact i love the city, obviously theres parts of it that you stay away from if you dont wanna get in some trouble but on the whole its all good