What Does the Chin Flick Gesture Mean?

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Learn how to use and emphasize the chin flick gesture all around the world
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Has someone ever flicked their chin at you? Have you been scratching your head trying to figure out what the heck they meant by it? The chin flick gesture is a form of nonverbal communication that’s used all over the world. While it’s said to have originated in Italy, you can find people doing it in North Africa, Belgium, and, since it’s been recently popularized on TikTok, even in North and South America. In this article, we’ll clear up your confusion around the chin flick gesture. We’ll teach you how to use it and offer some expert insight on its many meanings.

Things You Should Know

  • Use the chin flick gesture to communicate that you don’t care about something.
  • Flick your chin at someone as an insult when they tick you off.
  • Try chin flicking with both your hands to double down on your frustration.
  • Make the chin flick gesture by pinching your hand together and placing it under your chin. Then, swiftly flick your fingers outward.
Section 1 of 5:

Chin Flick Interpretations

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  1. The most common translation for the chin flick is “whatever,” “I couldn’t care less,” or even “I.D.G.A.F.” Most popular in Italy, Tunisia, and Belgium, people flick their chins with a neutral, unbothered face to communicate that they don’t want to do something or don’t think something is worth worrying about. You might flick your chin when: [1]
    • A friend makes a mistake and you want to show them it’s no biggie.
    • Someone asks you to make a choice, but you don’t feel any type of way toward either option.
    • You want to shut down an annoying or unpleasant conversation.
  2. In Belgium, Italy, and Tunisia especially, the chin flick can also be used as a substitute for the middle finger to flip someone off. If someone seems angry or confrontational, odds are they’re flicking their chin to say “up yours!” You might flick your chin at someone when: [2]
    • They cut you off in traffic.
    • They try to drag or insult you.
    • They’re being offensive in public.
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  3. In some parts of Italy, the chin flick can just be a nonverbal alternative to saying “no” or “non.” If someone offers you something you don’t feel like taking, simply flick your chin if you don’t feel like talking. [3]
    • Always clarify the meaning of the chin flick with people in your area beforehand. Every region is different and you don’t want to accidentally be disrespectful.
  4. In French, the chin flick is also known as “c'est la barbe” or “the beard.” Sometimes, people will use this gesture as a way to act macho and show swagger earnestly or ironically. [4] However, “c’est la barbe” also translates to “it is boring” or “what a drag” and people may use the chin flick when they find a particular subject dull. [5]
    • The French also subscribe to the traditional meaning of the chin flick and use it as a way to say “get lost” or “screw you.” [6]
    • If someone looks sad or defeated while flicking their chin, they’re likely using the “what a drag” meaning of the “c’est la barbe” gesture. [7]
    • If someone has a playful or goofy grin, they’re likely using the “c’est la barbe” as a tongue-in-cheek way to show their swagger.
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Section 2 of 5:

Replying to a Chin Flick

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  1. If someone uses the chin flick gesture to act passive-aggressive toward you, communicate why you still think the conversation is important. Directly stating what matters may get the other person to change their attitude. Try saying something like: [8]
    • “You may not care, but I really do, so please pay attention.”
    • “But your opinion on this is important to me.”
    • “Please hear me out. I’ve thought about this a lot.”
  2. Stand up for yourself if someone uses a chin flick to drag your character or intelligence. However, instead of stopping to their level by throwing hands or shouting obscenities, try using a quippy comeback to show you’re above this and so are they. [9]
    • “I’d give you a nasty look for that, but you’ve already got one.”
    • “Someday, you’ll go far. I hope you stay there.”
    • “I’ve been called worse by better.”
  3. Don’t give someone the satisfaction of reacting if they’re intentionally trying to fire you up. Rather than getting in their face, take a deep breath, recognize that their behavior isn’t worth your time, and get as far away from them as possible. [10]
    • If someone you love uses the chin flick gesture in a derogatory way, communicate that your feelings are hurt before or after taking some distance.
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Flick Your Chin

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  1. To perform the chin flick gesture, face your palm towards your neck. Then, touch all your fingertips together and bend them about 45° in the direction of your palm. Gently place your pinched hand below your chin. [11]
  2. Make eye contact with the person you’re flicking your chin at (usually a person you’re arguing with). Then, swiftly flick your fingers forward at them, keeping your fingertips together. [12]
    • Context is everything with the chin flick. Make a face that compliments your feelings. If you’re upset, show your anger as you flick your hand. If you’re trying to be playful, smile warmly so the person knows you’re joking.
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Section 4 of 5:

Chin Flick Variations

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  1. Try a more lowkey version of the chin flick by making a hook with just your index finger and grazing just this finger across your chin multiple times. This communicates that you’re open but uncommitted to something, rather than completely uninterested in it.
    • Show the situation is chill with your facial expression, too; tilt your head upward and push your lower lip out ever so slightly. [13]
  2. If you really want to shut down a conversation or someone continues to pester you despite your single-handed chin flick, use both hands at the same time to highlight your exasperation. [14]
  3. This is another common French hand gesture. Next time you’re proven right after people didn’t believe you, ball your hand into a fist with your thumb outward. Then, place just your thumb under your chin with the rest of your hand slightly in front of your face. Finally, flick just your thumb across your chin to say “I told you so!” [15]
    • If your gesture is in good fun and you know people will interpret it as playful, you can give a smug smile or stick your tongue out confidently as you flick your thumb.
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Section 5 of 5:

Other TikTok Chin Gestures

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  1. If someone you love sticks their palm out, place your chin directly on their hand to show your affection. This gesture, which resembles a dog lovingly placing their head in the hand of their owner, went viral on TikTok. Now, users all over the world record themselves placing their chin in the palm of their friends, often with the hashtag #FoolInLove (which has amassed 350,000,000+ views). [16]
    • Other hashtags for this gesture include #IAmYourValentine and #ChinOnPalmChallenge.
  2. Carefully stroke your chin to show you’re pensively lost in thought or analyzing a situation. You can use this gesture to signify that you’re considering your options when given a choice. [17]
    • For an easy TikTok dance move, try doing the chin stroke directly to the camera. Then, flick your hand away from your face and walk out of frame.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/experts-guide-to-italian-hand-gestures/index.html
      2. ↑ http://www.uwosh.edu/home_pages/faculty_staff/minniear/pages/etiquette%20101%20gestures%204.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/10/rude-hand-gestures-of-world.html
      4. ↑ https://www.foxnews.com/travel/hand-gestures-that-can-be-offensive-around-the-world
      5. ↑ https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/french-english/barbe
      6. ↑ https://journeys.dartmouth.edu/folklorearchive/2018/11/13/insulting-gestures-france-gesture-2-chin-flick/
      7. ↑ https://publish.iupress.indiana.edu/read/the-semiotics-of-french-gestures/section/c48bb352-e9e7-44ec-a57b-57d39d21a886
      8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/202109/how-to-deal-with-dismissive-and-arrogant-people
      9. ↑ https://parade.com/1105374/marynliles/good-comebacks/
      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/power-and-influence/202203/when-engage-in-argument-and-when-walk-away
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/DXTof4wk3NY?t=137
      3. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/experts-guide-to-italian-hand-gestures/index.html
      4. ↑ http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/002995.html
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/_8hAOxsTpVY?t=78
      6. ↑ https://blog.rosettastone.com/9-ways-to-express-yourself-in-french-body-language/
      7. ↑ https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/04/chin-on-palm-tiktok-videos-explained.html
      8. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/chin-stroking

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