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Man tries ‘hand gesture game’ on his family and is shocked by what he discovers

A man who asked his family to complete a common hand gesture has gone viral after the test uncovered a shock truth about kids today.

Dad's plays the 'hand gesture game' with his family

If you want to feel old, just ask a child to make a hand gesture as if they were pretending to talk on the phone.

From landlines, to “brick” mobile phones and now to smartphones — the look and shape of phones has changed dramatically, so it was only a matter of time before the universal gesture for talking on the phone changed too. Right?

The traditional and totally correct way to make a hand gesture is with the pinky and thumb up, three middle fingers down, and hand held up to the face.

But the younger generation have a totally different symbol.

US dad, Daniel Alvarado, had his mind blown after he asked his kids to make a hand gesture as if they were pretending to talk on the phone. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
US dad, Daniel Alvarado, had his mind blown after he asked his kids to make a hand gesture as if they were pretending to talk on the phone. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
This is how he does it. His TikTok video that has gone viral after it amassed more than two million views in just one day. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
This is how he does it. His TikTok video that has gone viral after it amassed more than two million views in just one day. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718

The discovery came about after a father-of-two filmed his wife and two kids taking part in the “hand gesture game” with mind-boggling results.

“This is how you know you’re getting old and this is for my ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s babies — watch OK,” Daniel Alvarado said in his TikTok video before turning to his wife.

“OK babe, pretend you’re talking on the phone, what would be your hand gesture?” he asks.

Without hesitation, his wife mimics the universal way — pinky and thumb gesture to her ear and mouth.

First he asked his wife. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
First he asked his wife. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
She did it the more recognised way — pinky and thumb gesture to her ear and mouth. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
She did it the more recognised way — pinky and thumb gesture to her ear and mouth. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718

The New York City dad then turns his attention to his daughter and son, interrupting them both as they played on their phones to ask, “What would be your hand gesture?”.

Both children held their hand flat against their ear, indicating they are talking on a smartphone.

Mr Alvarado turned the camera back on himself, saying, “So all of us would go like this (showing the pinky and thumb gesture), but now the new generation goes like this (with his hand pressed to his ear)”.

Next up was his daughter... Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
Next up was his daughter... Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
… and son. Both who were playing on their phones. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
… and son. Both who were playing on their phones. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
Without hesitation his daughter held her hand flat, to her ear … Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
Without hesitation his daughter held her hand flat, to her ear … Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
… and so did his son, leaving the dad in shock. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
… and so did his son, leaving the dad in shock. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718

He concluded the video, which has been viewed nearly two million times in just a day, showing that his mind was blown — and it appears he’s not the only one.

Thousands of people weighed in on his kids’ response.

“This is actually mind blowing...and sad lol,” one woman commented.

“I do it the same way the first person did it,” said another, referring to Ms Alvarado’s wife’s gesture.

“My six-year-old does the full hand gesture,” a third commented, with a fourth person saying, “I don’t like this, nope not one bit.”

One woman was also in complete shock after trying it on her family.

“I TRIED IT ON MY MOM AND YOUNGER SISTER AND ITS TRUE OMG (sic),” she yelled.

Many weighed in on the gesture with some teens saying they still use the traditional way.  Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
Many weighed in on the gesture with some teens saying they still use the traditional way.  Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
But others tried it on their kids, revealing they do it the same way as Daniel’s two children. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718
But others tried it on their kids, revealing they do it the same way as Daniel’s two children. Picture: TikTok/guesswho_718

However, not everyone agrees, with some of the younger generations arguing they never use the “flat” way.

“2001 here and I do the two finger one I’ve never seen anyone do that flat hand.”

“Lol I’m 19, still use the old phone gesture. I had to have been at least 11 when my dad bought the first gen iPhone,” a female teen said.

“My son is 13 and did it right (pinky, thumb). He was like, ‘Uh, you hear on one end and talk into the other’. He didn’t understand why I was shocked when he got it,” a mum added.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/teens/man-tries-hand-gesture-game-on-his-family-and-is-shocked-by-what-he-discovers/news-story/fb415a2a96daef409b61c839e5bf6902