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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask about you ring finger/ index finger ratio?

73 replies

SherbertSaucers · 02/01/2021 16:58

Ok, could you help me settle a discussion with some friends?

Have a look at your left hand: which is longer - your ring finger, or your index finger?

Apparently a longer ring finger suggests higher exposure to testosterone in the womb, and there are various personality traits that go with this, including (apparently) predisposition to polyamory, being good at Maths, and being more likely to be gay or bisexual.

I’ll go: slightly longer ring finger, not interested in polyamory, crap at Maths, bi. Anyone else?

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 02/01/2021 17:36

Longer ring finger

Already in a polyamarous relationship, I am bisexual...terrible at maths though

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/01/2021 17:38

It's real science.

And it's quite a small effect so the anecdata isn't very surprising.

I have a very long ring finger and have some traits (not the ones listed). I'm quite assertive, like riskier behaviour than most women, good perception of space (excellent parker!).

Sniv · 02/01/2021 17:40

Index and ring finger the same length.

I'm lesbian, monogamous, average at maths.

luckylavender · 02/01/2021 17:42

My ring finger is much longer. I'm good at maths, straight, married 29 years.

Iamagree · 02/01/2021 17:42

Mine look different depending on whether I have the palm or the back of the hand facing me...Confused

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/01/2021 17:43

@Iamagree

Mine look different depending on whether I have the palm or the back of the hand facing me...Confused
It's palms down on a flat surface.
dinosforall · 02/01/2021 17:45

Weirdly, I was once out with a group of gay women (I am hetero) and we tested this theory - I was the only one to have a longer index than ring finger.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 02/01/2021 17:46

My ring finger looks longer, but measures shorter — the bottom knuckle starts further up my hand. Confused

I'm good at maths, straight, and not polyamorous. I'm quite shy and found that starting a relationship with one man was hard enough, let alone with several!

Iamagree · 02/01/2021 17:47

Much the same then...

OnlyJudyCanJudgeMee · 02/01/2021 17:55

Longer ring finger. Not interested in polyamory, on a contrary, I find it repulsive, good at maths, very straight.
Theory is a bit dubious 🤨

Original poster
SherbertSaucers · 02/01/2021 17:56

Ooh, I’m enjoying reading these. Lots of variety. I had assumed it was bollocks but clearly some traits overlap more than others (Maths, maybe?)

OP posts:
Hippopotas · 02/01/2021 17:59

Longer ring finger. Not bad at maths not interested in polyamory and I’m straight

MissConductUS · 02/01/2021 18:03

Longer ring finger, good but not fabulous at maths, straight. The research is also controversial.

www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/06/talk-hand-scientists-try-debunk-idea-finger-length-can-reveal-personality-and-health

cinnabarmoth · 02/01/2021 18:55

Longer ring finger than index. Tried polyamory, it was not for me. I am very good at maths and possibly bisexual.

Silvergreen · 02/01/2021 18:57

Longer index finger, good at maths, gay, monogamous.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 02/01/2021 18:58

Slightly longer ring finger. Not to poly, straight, quite good at maths though.

Drivingthroughfords · 02/01/2021 19:00

Longer ring finger, TERRIBLE at maths, no interest in polyamory, 80% straight 😁

inquietant · 02/01/2021 19:04

Is there any scientific data backing this up? Hmm

littlepeas · 02/01/2021 19:07

Pretty much exactly the same! Very much an all rounder at school (so fine at maths, and most other subjects, but not exceptional), which I suppose would make sense.

coldcoffeefy · 02/01/2021 19:10

Longer ring finger, not interested in polyamory, heterosexual, crap at maths

Cindy87 · 02/01/2021 19:11

Longer index finger. Heterosexual, monogamous, alright at Maths.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/01/2021 19:15

OK a small statistics lesson...

If you assume (extremely rough numbers here) that about 5% of women are gay and about 5% are polyamorous. Then the testosterone has a small effect. Say 1 in 100 women will be effected enough to be in the gay or polyamorous group now. A pretty statistically significant effect. That's still 90%+ of women straight and monogamous (other orientations are available).

I haven't got the time or inclination to do the actual sums (and my statistics module of my degree is 30 years old!). But that is essentially why all the 'I'm not and my finger is longer' anecdata doesn't matter. There could be a statistical effect on a population level.

See also, "my gran smoked until she was 100". Population level.

finkking · 02/01/2021 19:24

Ring finger longer. Good at maths, like monogamy & straight. Often told I act like a man though, whatever that means.

finkking · 02/01/2021 19:25

Ooh I was very good at sport

Guineapig99 · 02/01/2021 19:26

I’ e heard the ring finger = gay thing for years. As far as I’m aware it’s not true ( I know. Lot of lesbians)
I’m decent at maths, tho it’s my weakest subject, not interested in poly and as gay as a circus full of pink unicorns dancing on rainbows.