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Do you know the universal sign for "I need help?"

(90 Posts)
Magenta8 Wed 10-Dec-25 11:43:20

I have just watched a short film where a woman, accompanied by a man, touches the arm of passers by and then displays an open palm which she then closes. This apparently is the universal sign for "Help!" Anyone witnessing this should approach the person and ask if they need help. I am posting this because I think it should be more widely known. Please pass it on.

Oreo Wed 10-Dec-25 11:46:54

Never heard of it so how is it universal?

Oreo Wed 10-Dec-25 11:49:05

I would have thought that pressing the palms together in a praying attitude 🙏 would have been a more sensible universal sign for help.

Magenta8 Wed 10-Dec-25 11:50:02

It is internationally recognised, if you prefer.

LucyAnna5 Wed 10-Dec-25 11:53:05

You fold the thumb in, then close the fingers down. My teen GC know about this.

Oreo Wed 10-Dec-25 11:54:15

Oh I wasn’t being pedantic Magenta8 but it seems strange if very few have even heard of it, if indeed that’s the case.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 10-Dec-25 11:54:29

Yes we all know this in my family 👍🏻

JamesandJon33 Wed 10-Dec-25 11:55:56

I knew about asking for Angela but not about the hand sign.

Jaxjacky Wed 10-Dec-25 11:56:48

Yes, I know it.

Oreo Wed 10-Dec-25 11:57:53

Unless the people you are tapping on the arm know that sign how can they help?🤔
For GNers on here…how did you come to know this?

Oreo Wed 10-Dec-25 11:59:20

JamesandJon33

I knew about asking for Angela but not about the hand sign.

Yes, asking for Angela in bars and clubs, tho not all working in those places have even heard of it, according to a survey I saw done on camera.

Beechnut Wed 10-Dec-25 12:25:33

Oreo

Unless the people you are tapping on the arm know that sign how can they help?🤔
For GNers on here…how did you come to know this?

I’ve seen it on Instagram.

Magenta8 Wed 10-Dec-25 12:54:40

Oreo

I would have thought that pressing the palms together in a praying attitude 🙏 would have been a more sensible universal sign for help.

I think the whole point is that you signal your distress without alerting the person you are with. If you pressed your palms together it would be too obvious.

Oreo Wed 10-Dec-25 13:03:17

I see that Magenta8 but at the same time, if there is somebody with you who’s a danger to you, tapping umpteen people on the arm and showing them a secret gesture which they may well not know anyway isn’t going to get you anywhere is it?

midgey Wed 10-Dec-25 13:29:00

I knew it!

silverlining48 Wed 10-Dec-25 13:34:21

I didn’t know it but I do now.

MiniMoon Wed 10-Dec-25 13:38:17

Yes, I've known about it for a long time.

HelterSkelter1 Wed 10-Dec-25 13:39:43

No I didnt know it either...but do now. I will ask my london living DD of she does when she comes today.
Do schools teach it does anyone know?

JdotJ Wed 10-Dec-25 13:54:26

Yes, I know it but only through a cinema advert so perhaps not publicised elsewhere ?

GrannyGravy13 Wed 10-Dec-25 13:54:35

There have been several adverts on TV showing this sign.

kittylester Wed 10-Dec-25 13:58:04

Oreo

Unless the people you are tapping on the arm know that sign how can they help?🤔
For GNers on here…how did you come to know this?

I've seen it on social media.

LizzieDrip Wed 10-Dec-25 13:59:49

Thank you for your post Magenta8. This is a useful thing to know. Who knows when any of us might come across someone needing help.

LindaPat Wed 10-Dec-25 14:02:09

Yes, I've seen it on tv, have seen a couple of different ones using both child and adult actors.

SueDonim Wed 10-Dec-25 14:12:23

I’ve never heard of it, so I’ve just Googled. It seems to have been created by a women’s group in Canada in 2020 and spread via TikTok. There’s no mention of tapping strangers on the arm, though, which I think could be dangerous in itself.

At least I’ve learnt something today, so thank you.

pably15 Wed 10-Dec-25 14:12:27

yes I've seen it too