Date:  Mon, 1 Dec 1997 10:42:40 -0500
From:  Grant Barrett <gbarrett[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]JERRYNET.COM>
Subject: V Not for Victory

I have seen Brits and Italians that use the palm-inward V as an offensive gesture. It's usually
accompanied by an upward jab of the hand.

I once walked into a New York French restaurant and the man at the door inexplicably used the
sign. I believe he didnt think my date and I would know what it meant, but we had no problem
telling the man to stuff it. I doubt he was French himself.

Grant Barrett
gbarrett[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]dfjp.com

--------------------------------------
Date: 11/29/97 3:06 AM
To: Grant Barrett
From: Pauline Bryant

There are two V signs in Australia. In the V-for-victory sign as used by
Churchill, hold up your index and middle fingers, with the thumb and the
other two fingers folded across the palm. The important thing is to do
this with the palm facing away from the body. Nobody actually does it
any more because it isn't culturally relevant any more, but also because
you might accidentally get it wrong and make the offensive sign.

... Is it only in Australia that the sign with the palm turned inward is offensive?