This image is no sign of force - it's good luck!
Dear all,
"Ich drück' dir die Daumen". I remember being very confused the first time I saw someone perform this gesture (see image). The two fists, pointed slightly towards me... My first thought: "Did I say something insulting? Was my body language violent?" I didn't get the body language and either did the uttered words help any to understand its meaning.
After a few weeks and seeing people repeatedly showing this gesture I figured that it is no sign of force, and I learnt that it is a way to show empathy and wish someone good luck. The thumbs of both hands are squeezed into the inside of the hand palms and so represent a very literal translation of the saying.
In northern America the expression is usually performed with the index finger and middle finger that - by twisting them - perform a small cross, and actually this sign originates from the Holy Cross.
And by the way, the Dutch sign for "good luck" looks even different. The gesture that I use back home I guess will easily be misunderstood as "I am bored" by a person originating from Germany.
Actually, we are now constantly "am Daumendrücken", to plea for good luck and success for this very crowdfunding campaign. Will you join us and squeeze your thumbs for good luck, too?
Best
Hanneke
