Today I told my 6yo it’s not considered polite to point at people, and he asked me to explain why. I was mostly like “er that’s a good question, and I have an intuitive sense, but I don’t quite know and also can’t totally explain it”
I think some of it is that people don’t like the thing where they can tell people talking about them, and pointing causes that, but I think there’s more to it than just that?
Kind of like how people don’t like it when people use 3rd person pronouns for them in their presence?
Thanks to all everyone who discussed this with me :-)—I’m not more convinced there’s a component that’s something like about not objectifying people.
Pointing is an I-it thing not at I-thou thing
Addendum, “only you” is an interesting case where people point at people. There’s the forest fire one off, but searching twitter gifs for “only you” turned up some other ones too (that I don’t think are just references to the bear?)
Celebs and politicians getting into a stage often point to specific audience members, as well as during press conferences
Pointing with finger gun has different connotations I think
I don’t buy the I-it theory. I think it’s more the connotations of accusation or singling out.
Specifically while walking onto a stage to applause… literally taught as a power move to act like you recognize and are acknowledging people in the audience whether or not you do. They point to random people or ambiguously.