Importance of understaning multiple meanings of signs | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

I actually have a very similar image as part of my logo, but I feel like it should be pretty obvious that the meaning there is pinching a penny.  My fiance suggested turning it upside down so it looked like a P, but aside from not really liking that concept in general I remember a big snafu last presidential election season when a member of the military was posing with Hillary Clinton and made that gesture.  It's apparently a signal that you are doing something because you are forced too.  My theory is to avoid anything that means anything negative to me, and not really worry about people who are going to assume the worst intentions. 

Yes a friend pointed it out and I verified it on wikipedia.  In all likelihood most people would not even notice, but just knowing the other meanings bugged me a bit.  Luckily I'm friends with a designer who helped me replace that logo this morning.  Now I just gotta update it on all my profiles.

For most people starting out, little things like this shouldn't be fussed over so early.  So penny I wouldn't worry about your logo yet, unless you had plans to get more aggressive with promotion.  Since I'm working on this blog full time, I'm being a little more picky than what is probably necessary.  Still it's something to keep in mind with any signals like this with long term branding.

Quite right that it is important. I still laugh when I remember that when my Dad was showing my husband that he want two of something he actually swore at him (is a back to front V sign swearing in the US? If not I'll have to tell you the story.)

I also remember when I first came to the UK I invited half of the male population of town for coffee – because where I come from this means coffee; not something else. Well…loads of amusement.

Maria

Modest Money said:

For most people starting out, little things like this shouldn't be fussed over so early.  So penny I wouldn't worry about your logo yet, unless you had plans to get more aggressive with promotion.  Since I'm working on this blog full time, I'm being a little more picky than what is probably necessary.  Still it's something to keep in mind with any signals like this with long term branding.

I think one of the other big things is that I'm not targeting an international audience.  If I were trying to set up a commercial audience or provide advice that was generic enough to apply to people all over the world, it would be a lot more important.  I'm not looking to create a career out of this, though.

AmericanDebtProject said:

The peace sign with your hand held backwards is also offensive in many countries, just as an FYI. I noticed it right away on your site, but knew most people wouldn't care so I didn't say anything! 

Who are you responding to?  I don't see peace signs on anyone's site.  Are you referring to the O.K. gesture that I have and Modest Money recently removed?