[Japanese Idioms by Flashcards]
後ろ指をさされるよう
“like having a finger pointed at one’s back”
(being the object of social contempt, scorn and criticism)
Social control through shame is highly develope in Japan. Japanese are keenly sensitive to being the object of scorn or ostracism. This expression conveys the feeling that everyone is pointing an accusatory finger at one’s back for one’s shameful conduct.
Sample text:
(Style: spoken/casual/A=female, B=male)
A: Hamada-san ne, kaisha ni uso itte kattenni ryokoo shita n da tte. Watashi mo yatte miyoo ka na.
B: Iya, hitoni ushiroyubi o sasareru yoona koto wa shinai hoo ga ii yo. Kitto ato de kookai suru kara.
A: 浜田さんね、会社にうそ言って勝手に旅行したんだって。私もやってみようかな。
B: いや、人に後ろ指をさされるようなことはしない方がいいよ。きっとあとで後悔するから。
A: You know Ms. Hamada. She lied to the company and went off on a vacation. I’m thinking about doing something like that myself.
B: You really shoudn’t do something you’ll be socially criticized for. You’ll regret it later, I’m sure.
Japanese Idioms
