Over our nice Sunday lunch of leftovers (gasp! So NOT Brazilian...), we started talking about the Brazilian Finger Snap:
None of us can do it. What does it mean? My husband said he thinks it's just for emphasis. But I think it's more to indicate that someone had to hurry (used when someone is telling a story, and they get to the party where the said person had to move fast or work hard), or indicating something was hard, someone had to work hard, etcetera. I don't know if I would say this is a uniquely "Brazilian" trait, because I had a friend from Argentina who would do this ALL THE TIME. But I thought I'd share this because it is a quirky little cultural thing that I encounter every day. And maybe some day I'll learn how to do it...
None of us can do it. What does it mean? My husband said he thinks it's just for emphasis. But I think it's more to indicate that someone had to hurry (used when someone is telling a story, and they get to the party where the said person had to move fast or work hard), or indicating something was hard, someone had to work hard, etcetera. I don't know if I would say this is a uniquely "Brazilian" trait, because I had a friend from Argentina who would do this ALL THE TIME. But I thought I'd share this because it is a quirky little cultural thing that I encounter every day. And maybe some day I'll learn how to do it...
My dad (who's Uruguayan) does this all the time. Put your thumb and middle fingers together. Shake your arm. The loud sound comes from your index finger striking against your middle finger. Apparently, it doesn't hurt. I can't do it, hehe.
ReplyDeleteWhat does it mean though? Perhaps a way of coming onto epileptic chicks?
ReplyDeleteThe finger snap is done by so many people. I think it has many meanings. I learned to do it from my mother when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteThe closest thing to it in the states is people who dip...you know that little can they pull out and thump to get ready for a dip...
Well anyway...great blog!
Toby
tobyandsarahonthemove.blogspot.com
Thanks! I'm reading up on your adventures too...
DeleteThanks Shelley!
DeleteInteresting....!! I am a good finger snapper but I can't do the repeated snap, snap, snap, snap... Must have to learn as child the right finger dexterity to do it repeatively. Well, that makes it sound like YOU, Shelley, will not be able to achieve this trail either. SAD...
ReplyDeleteYeah, it means "hurry up" or "quickly". I think it's one of those things you learn to do when you're young. My wife is also Brazilian and she can't do it at all. As a lefty, I can only do it properly with my left hand.
ReplyDeleteI can´t do it the Brazilian way but I do it the way I know how (middle finger and thumb) and shake my hand like the locals hahaha.
ReplyDeleteLike the locals? You mean the kisses, right?
DeleteI can't do it either! I will have to test my children and see if their Brazilian genes allow them to or if their American ones block it ;)
ReplyDeleteRachel
www.rachelsrantings.com
Hahaha!
DeleteMy husband (who is Brazilian and knows how to do it well) says the older generation also used it to show their kids that if they dont do something their parents say they will "get a beatin" Like "Get in the house or (finger snap)"
ReplyDeleteYeah, my mom had the "I'm serious" finger snap. Love it!
Deletehaha, I can do this... but I never noticed it was only Brazilians who could.. All you have to do is put your thumb with your third finger and snap your wrist, then you'll get the snapping sound... I do this to emphasive something, or to tell me finacé to hurry up!
ReplyDelete