Does this offend you?

I was in a hotel room in Kyoto Japan when a children’s show was airing. There was this adult person in a Barney like suit but more less a giant duck. He (or she) was teaching the kids basic Japanese. It appeared the giant like duck was teaching the children different ways to position their fingers. Out of the blue, these children simultaneously stuck up their middle fingers! The big duck said something like “Wakamakasui!!!!!!!” and they all repeated “Wakamakasui!” or something like that and stuck up their middle fingers. I nearly crapped my pants!

At the time my Japanese friend was at work. So I decided when she returns I ‘ll flick her off and see what her response would be. Sure enough she smiled and said “You number 1 too!” So I guess finger jesters are something only western society can relate too. Although I heard that touching your nose is very offensive in mid eastern societies.