HMMMM. I'm not sure about the finger conversation, but I work with people all day long who can't (and I mean they just can't) describe a computer problem in any kind of meaningful way.
I doesn't work. That's all they see or know about it. If they push the button, the desired result doesn't happen. I work in a public library with folks of all levels of computer expertise, but mostly not too much. My standard response is, "Let's go try it so I can see your technique." It is a cheeseless tunnel to try to get them to explain it in a meaningful way. They just can't.
With my husband, who gets frustrated with the computer big time and frequently, I don't offer to help anymore unless he asks directly. I used to offer to help, and then when the problem was solved immediately, instead of being appreciative, he would be mad. Now, I let him grumble at the computer, yell sometimes, and take an hour to do what I could have done in 6 minutes. If he wants my help he has to ask for it in no uncertain terms.
Communication difficulties? You bet. And it's a whole different way of seeing and understanding the world around us, too. Sigh. Sometimes I whine to myself, "Its too much work to talk to them..." Then I remember that is why they pay me the medium bucks.
