What does this gesture with the thumb tucked between the fingers mean?

way of saying “you won’t get anything from me” while avoiding tension.

In many 19th-century French villages, it was used discreetly to deflect a request, calm insistence, or express disagreement without raising one’s voice. Imagine an overly curious neighbor or a persistent salesperson: a simple gesture from behind the window was enough to say it all. No outburst, no conflict… just a subtle, ironic gesture.

A protective symbol with very ancient origins

Before entering everyday language, the gesture had a deeper dimension. In several Eastern European traditions, particularly in popular cultures, it was considered a small talisman against undesirable influences.