Are you familiar with the hand signal for help?

[coachTanthony]

The signal is performed by holding your hand up with your thumb tucked into your palm, then folding your fingers down, symbolically trapping your thumb in your fingers. It was intentionally designed as a single continuous hand movement, rather than a sign held in one position, that could be made easily visible.

Yes

No first time hearing about it

Updates

+1 y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GfsS4HH2Uw

[SaoirseS]

Yes, I'm familiar with it, but there've been a few incidents here where it's been mistaken (but peacefully resolved). At one Cracker Barrel, a toddler in his mother's arms was just looking at and playing with his fingers; a restaurant patron saw it, thought it was a signal for help, and called police. They arrived, talked to the mom, and it was quickly resolved. The gesture can also be mistaken for a common tribal greeting custom still used among Native American men. All things considered, I think it would be more effective to scream "Help!" I've got a good set of lungs.

[goaded]

I assumed it was for people who couldn't speak. Is it for everyone?

There were some bars that had a note in the women's bathroom that gave a name for a drink they could ask for which would alert the staff without raising suspicion.

[coachTanthony]

@goaded It's called an Angel Shot. It's a special drink order that alerts staff that guests feel uncomfortable and need assistance.

[goaded]

Thanks. I assume that's a term for the bar/night specific drink, not a universal name, otherwise it wouldn't work for long.

[coachTanthony]

@goaded Yeah that is the specific drink you order from the bartender.

[LovingJo]

Yes.. But forget. Needs to be more widely promoted/used, so that people know about it, I think. ❤️

[coachTanthony]

I agree.

[Valkyria]

The problem with this though is that discreet cries for help are not discreet anymore when even the person you’re trying to get away from knows you’re begging for help. It defeats the whole point.

[LovingJo]

Thanks for the MHO 😘

[DryGermanGuy]

To be honest, Popeye Doyle came to mind...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/jc4BynM8yP8

[coachTanthony]

He's the best.

[NostalgiaSenpi]

Interesting. Thank you for this knowledge

[electromagnetic]

I’ve seen quite a lot of those pop up on Instagram. At first I sorta just passed them but eventually watched one. Good thing to know. You never know if you or someone around you might use it one day. Hopefully not.

[Anonymous]

Are you familiar with this universal simple hand signal? It's used to communicate contempt

[coachTanthony]

LOL.

[EmmaMary]

Well you can certainly learn something new every day... Just as I have done now!

[molonski2]

Had not heard of it , but very happy to be informed.

[DizzyDesii]

Im not gonna say what i wouldve thought that meant. But no I wasn't aware

[OfMiceandMen]

Yep, seen a couple of YouTube videos where they used it. I think it was staged, but got the point.

[bolverk]

While this hand sign has become more known recently, there was a similar hand sign being used in the 80's, but there was no social media around at that time to publicise it the way there is now.

[Sparkie460]

You just performed a great public service. I did not know that hand signal.

[Sour-rose]

Yeah, heard it from somewhere else. Very useful thing I learned that day

[msc545]

Never heard of it. If others have not heard of it as well, it is not useful.

[coachTanthony]

Its kind of new so just spreading the word.

[msc545]

Somewhere, there is a cop who will misinterpret this as a gang sign and kill or badly injure the person doing it

[msc545]

try not to be insulting. I don't like being called names.

[coachTanthony]

Try not to assume crazy stuff and I won't.

[msc545]

The idea of a cop shooting someone for this is not crazy, unfortunately. It has happened.

[coachTanthony]

The idea of cops.. cops... cops shooting someone for this is crazy. One off's in life happen so are you saying there will be more killings by cops then this saves?

[msc545]

I have no idea. I sure hope that is not the case -- but - here in LA, making hand signs is also dangerous because gang members might misinterpret them and take offense.

[DancingQueen16]

Yeah I heard about that on TikTok

[Kathie93]

Never seen that before

[legalboxers]

for people in clubs

[noohair]

Thank you.

[LavLavLuv]

Yes i am